To all engineers (EE,mech,chem,etc.)

[aspiring_one]

I was pondering the idea of being an engineer. I just wanted to know if you find your job personally satisfying and what it is about your job that makes it so.

I hope I'm not being too vague. I just want to get some sort of indirect inside advice.

Thank you

 

[MasterX]

Actually, you are being vague.

Just think about what it is that you like to do, and do it! As simple as that!

 

[aspiring_one]

haha yeah i am, sorry. I really am just curious to hear what engineers have to say about their job. Obviously they like it since they chose to be an engineer, but I was just wondering what that reason was.

Thanks for the advice masterx, simple but profound.

 

[Ben Espen]

There are many different kinds of engineering that one can practice. The distinctions go deeper than the discipline that is studied in school. For example, where I work an engineer with a background in Mechanical Engineering may be qualified to be either a manufacturing engineer or a machine design engineer. The kinds of tasks these two jobs involve will be completely different.

A manufacturing engineer is often concerned with product yields and procedures. This kind of engineer may need to write work instructions and then train others to them. Sometimes there are issues of personnel management to be performed.

A machine design engineer will spend a lot of time with CAD software such as Pro-E or Solidworks. The fundamental task is to translate a set of requirements into a working machine. This may involve creating new parts, or simply looking up the required part in a catalog and ordering it. Everything has to fit together, involving tolerance stack-ups and perhaps considerations of differing material properties. Then the machine needs to actually do what is intended, which may require troubleshooting and design iteration.

There are many other kinds of thing engineers do as well. Some engineers program all day. Some engineers spend weeks or months in remote construction sites. What unites all these things is a capacity for and accumulated knowledge of an applied technical discipline. Otherwise the tasks are varied, and what one engineer does would drive another crazy.

If you are interested in being an engineer, it may be helpful to shadow a working engineer to see what their job is like. This may help you narrow down a discipline. Often people find that a certain subject simply has an attraction for them, but you need some exposure for this to occur. You need to pick a discipline in order to get started. It is not impossible to change later, but choosing well will make your life easier.

There are many potential satisfactions available to an engineer. I enjoy the technical problem solving, but there is also the complex management of tasks required to bring a project to fruition. Seeing everything finally fall into place is very satisfying. The chaos that leads up to that can be very frustrating, but this is normal. No plan ever goes as intended, so some flexibility is required. My work also creates jobs for other people. Knowing that I am part of something that provides livelihoods for others is a big motivator for me.

 

[MasterX]

haha yeah i am, sorry. I really am just curious to hear what engineers have to say about their job. Obviously they like it since they chose to be an engineer, but I was just wondering what that reason was.

I am not sure, but I believe that I became an engineer because I liked mathematics and physics. Nevertheless, my hobby was to develop programs on my computer. So, while I was an undergrad student, I was taking courses that required to develop algorithms and develop programs. Interestingly enough, now, besides being a Chemical Engineer, I am also trying to make a living by developing apps for the iPhone!

 

[aspiring_one]

I appreciate the replies! I like the idea of solving problems using math and physics as a tool, as well as seeing that solution being translated from a piece of paper to real life. I'm not that great with computers and programs though, I'm sure I can learn. Do most engineers nowadays use computer programs to aid in their work?

 

[Ben Espen]

All engineers use computer programs to aid in their work. However, for most people, if you can use Word, that is the kind of expertise you need. Engineering does not necessarily require you to be a programming expert, but you will need to be computer literate.

 

[aspiring_one]

Anyone else out there care to share? I wish I had found this site sooner, as I think it would've influenced my decisions in high school to what discipline I should study -.-
better late than never I suppose

 

[annie89]

i have done b.tech and now i am looking for a job...please can anyone guide me

 

[duckmn56]

annie89 what are you talking about? Maybe start a new post, maybe I am dumb but what is a b.tech?

aspiring_one the easiest way for you to get answers is talk to your high school office and try to find an engineer you can shadow. You will get a much better idea of what to expect.

 

[Blissett]

Honestly, if you showed up to a somewhat public engineering firm and asked them what they did they would gladly tell you if they weren't busy. I intern myself for a governmental civil/mechanical department (transportation). If you caught an engineer who wasn't busy, they'd tell you their life story.