Engineering Reports: Hours Spent Writing vs Engineering | 1st Yr Student

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SUMMARY

A typical electronic systems engineer spends approximately 85% of their time writing reports and documentation compared to 15% on actual engineering tasks. For individuals who prefer minimal writing, pursuing a technician role is advisable. The importance of documentation in engineering is emphasized, as it is essential for effective communication and project management. First-year students should prepare for a significant amount of writing, including reports and presentations, as part of their engineering education.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of engineering documentation practices
  • Familiarity with report writing techniques
  • Basic knowledge of electronic systems engineering
  • Proficiency in presentation tools like PowerPoint
NEXT STEPS
  • Research best practices for engineering report writing
  • Explore career paths in engineering that require less documentation
  • Learn effective communication strategies for engineers
  • Investigate the role of technicians in electronic systems
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for first-year engineering students, aspiring electronic systems engineers, and individuals considering technician roles who wish to understand the balance between writing and engineering tasks.

JyN
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About how many hours a week would a typical electronic systems engineer spend writing reports vs the number of hours spent doing actual engineering? And, what kind of jobs could i look for in engineering that minimize the amount of writing i would need to do? I'm a first year student, and am not set on electronic systems either.
 
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That depends on where you work but I would say on average 85:15 of writing vs actual engineering. If you don't like to do a lot of writing, documentation, and communication, then I would recommend you become a technician.
 
I'm not an electronic nor a systems engineer, but if you better learn to love documentation. It's not necessarily that you're writing reports, but just documentation in general. I always have a powerpoint or something open on my other monitor that I'm using for screenshots and the like.

You won't like it when you first start, but you'll soon see why it's absolutely necessary.
 

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