Skills needed to be an engineer/Career outlook

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the skills necessary for a career in engineering and the outlook for engineering jobs. Participants explore various attributes that may contribute to success in the field, including technical skills, creative problem-solving, and interpersonal abilities. The conversation also touches on personal experiences and preferences regarding hands-on work and tinkering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants emphasize the importance of a strong background in math and science as foundational for engineers, viewing these subjects as tools rather than the core of engineering.
  • Others argue that creative problem-solving and interpersonal skills are equally crucial, suggesting that managing people is a modern necessity in engineering roles.
  • Several participants discuss the relevance of tinkering and hands-on experience, with some asserting it is a common trait among engineers, while others indicate it is not a prerequisite for success.
  • A participant shares their experience of not having tinkered much but still pursuing engineering, suggesting that personal interest in the field can be sufficient.
  • Concerns about job prospects and the impact of outsourcing on engineering careers are raised, with a participant expressing uncertainty about future job availability.
  • One participant mentions their struggle with creative design in an engineering course and seeks advice on improving this skill.
  • Work ethic is highlighted as an important attribute by multiple participants, though the context of its importance is not fully explored.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the necessity of tinkering and hands-on experience, with no consensus on whether it is essential for all engineers. There is also uncertainty about the job outlook in engineering, particularly in light of outsourcing concerns.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reflect personal experiences and preferences that may not represent broader trends in engineering education or employment. The conversation includes varying levels of interest in hands-on work and creative problem-solving, indicating a diversity of perspectives on what constitutes essential skills for engineers.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in engineering, current engineering students, and those interested in the skills and job outlook related to engineering fields may find this discussion relevant.

stjimmy
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Hi
What skills do you think are most imporant to an engineer?
Do you think the career out look is good?


I am about to gradute high school and I am interested in engineering and other science/math related things. I am good at math and science and creative/analytical which I hear are very imporant to an engineer.
I want to know how things work but i don't really tinker or have a very mechincal personality.I am more into theory than I thought a engineer would be but I don't know.Very analytical problem solver though.I might also consider physics or computer science maybe something else i don't know because I have broad interests.I want to be able to get a good job but with all I hear about outsourcing I don't know about it. What do you guys think?
 
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While a good background in maths and science is pretty fundamental to an engineer, you'll find that maths and the sciences are mere tools which you'll be exploiting. Other crucial skills include creative problem solving abilities, good interpersonal skills, and in this day and age, a willingness to manage people.

Most of the engineers I know tinkered. I'm struggling to think of an engineer I know who didn't tinker. Don't let this put you off, it's not a prerequisite, but you do get a lot of understanding and useful skills from tinkering.

Finally, nobody's going to tell you what's best for you. I'd suggest you get a bit of work experience, - a fortnight of this was enough to put me off electrical engineering for life! Finding out what you definitely don't want to do is almost as good as finding out what you definitely do.
 
Do you really think being a tinker and hands-on is really important?
I mean i like the idea of design and all that yet I just don't tinker that much.
 
stjimmy said:
Do you really think being a tinker and hands-on is really important?
I mean i like the idea of design and all that yet I just don't tinker that much.

I'm going to be a junior electrical engineering major, and I never "tinkered". I was always very interested in computers and electronics, however. It's definitely not a prerequisite, it's just a common trend. I was also not interested in math and science in high school... I grew to fond of each my first year of college. If you want to be an engineer, be an engineer. If you want to be a physicist, go for it. Don't worry about what's common, it's a good thing to be unusual.
 
I have a few friends who are electrical engineers, most of them don't know how to solder or trouble shoot a broken device. They also have no interest in learning that sort of thing.
 
brewnog said:
While a good background in maths and science is pretty fundamental to an engineer, you'll find that maths and the sciences are mere tools which you'll be exploiting. Other crucial skills include creative problem solving abilities, good interpersonal skills, and in this day and age, a willingness to manage people.

Most of the engineers I know tinkered. I'm struggling to think of an engineer I know who didn't tinker. Don't let this put you off, it's not a prerequisite, but you do get a lot of understanding and useful skills from tinkering.

Finally, nobody's going to tell you what's best for you. I'd suggest you get a bit of work experience, - a fortnight of this was enough to put me off electrical engineering for life! Finding out what you definitely don't want to do is almost as good as finding out what you definitely do.
How important is the creative problems solving abilities?
I'm currently enrolled in an Intro to Engineering course at a local community college. I had huge trouble coming up with creative design, like, at all.
Is there any way to improve this skill?
If so, how?
All the other stuff I have, and/or am able to develop.

I'm also going to try and get an intern in Engineering (either electrical or mechanical), or something to see what it's like.
 
Last edited:
Work ethic.
 
aerospaceut10 said:
Work ethic.

Was that a reply to the original post, or to mine?
 
To the original question.
 
  • #10
what kind of job we will offered in this eng
 

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