Engineering is one of the most valuable skills to have, and it can be an incredibly lucrative career choice. That said, it’s also extremely competitive, so it’s important to do everything possible to make yourself more valuable.
Developing your skills as an engineer is partly a matter of time, as young engineers need more knowledge and experience to achieve their long-term goals. On the other hand, young and aspiring engineers can begin taking steps to become more effective. These tips are a great starting point for anyone looking to get ahead in engineering.
Stand Behind Your Work
Most young engineers are used to having mentors, teachers, or other authority figures review their work and check for oversights and errors, but this simply isn’t the case in the professional world. You might get lucky and have a mistake caught by a coworker or supervisor, but the safety net is a lot less safe once you’re working in the field.
Even if you still have someone to fall back on, get in the habit of carefully going through your own work and owning your mistakes. Reliability is one of the most important skills for professional engineers, so you should never submit something that you’re not completely confident in.
Ask Questions
The skills you learn in engineering school are valuable, but there’s a lot that you won’t be able to pick up until you enter the workforce. The most effective engineers are those who never stop learning and adding to their skill set, even after they’ve achieved success.
Formal mentoring is arguably the best way to receive helpful advice and assistance from an experienced engineer, but you can learn at any job simply by asking why and how certain designs were created. Make a point to save any important knowledge or skills on your phone or in a notebook and keep this around when you’re working on your own projects.
Be a Team Player
You might be used to working on your own as a student, but don’t expect that to continue once you’re on the job. Collaborative design involves a wide range of challenges that aren’t part of working alone, so teamwork is often just as valuable as any other engineering skill.
Expand Your Knowledge
Similarly, real-world issues are often multidisciplinary, so problem-solving can involve more considerations than your own discipline is able to solve. Take time to diversify your skill set and learn more about topics outside your comfort zone.
Learning to effectively network is another great way to grow your career, connecting you to other engineers and potentially giving you access to jobs, speaking engagements, and more. Consider attending local conferences and other events to learn more about networking opportunities in your area.
Find Insurance Coverage
Unexpected problems are always a risk in the world of engineering, and there’s no way to completely prevent something going wrong. Professional liability insurance for engineers is the best way to protect yourself from lawsuits and ensure that your career isn’t sidetracked by one mistake.
Regardless of where you are in your engineering career, the most important thing is to keep learning. These tips will help you develop your skills and become a more valuable employee.