In high school, I once asked a potential math teacher if I may double up Algebra 2 and Trigonometry in order to take Calculus on my senior year. She responded with “I wouldn’t do it unless you’re a mathematical genius.” Her mere skepticism sufficiently discouraged me from attempting that feat. While tethering on the edge of humility and confidence, I backed down. Though in retrospect, I participated in math contests and regularly scored among the top of my class in each subject; I then went on to engineering school. While I wouldn’t have worded it precisely that way, I was a mathematical genius.
That said, I don’t practice classical electrical engineering for a living, which is the degree I earned when I graduated. I don’t spend my professional time solving third order differential equations using Laplace transforms. As a software engineer, I spend most of my time thinking through either discrete mathematics problems or even statistics. My mind naturally visualizes spatial problems, which makes me especially good at certain activities, like designing parts for 3d printing.