A career in engineering will offer you exciting growth possibilities, rewarding salary, respect-worthy social status, intellectual development, and what not!
There is not an iota of doubt that engineering is one of the most exhilarating professions to undertake, as it comprises an amazing range of sub-disciplines and has a great impact on our everyday lives.
But a career in engineering is certainly not for everyone. You need to have certain innate skills and personality traits to ensure you have a successful career in engineering.
Because if you choose engineering without understanding its demands, you will never be able to shine in that field. So that’s why, at SRM Ramapuram University, we first recommend that you find out whether a career in engineering is the right choice for you.
In this blog post, you will discover what it takes to be a good engineer and understand whether you should pursue engineering as a career or not.
Here are our 6 guidelines to assess whether engineering is a good fit for you or not.
- You have an affinity for mathematics
There is no way around this. No matter which engineering stream you prefer, you will be prepared to deal with a lot of mathematics. So you must enjoy doing algebra, geometry, calculus, and trigonometry. This doesn’t mean you have to be a master or genius in mathematics. But since all major engineering entrance exams ask questions about maths, you must have a natural liking for the subject and be reasonably good at it. Otherwise, it’s better you drop the idea of pursuing a career in engineering.
- You are a problem-solver
As an engineer, you’re in the business of solving problems. Your critical and analytical thinking will be put to the test while working as an engineer. For instance, you might create a design that works seamlessly in theory. Then, you want to put it to work practically and fix issues when it is up and running. All these require problem-solving skills. So if you are someone who loves troubleshooting errant technology in your home, then you might enjoy working as an engineer. Or, if you are someone who resolves problems while working in a team, or loves to solve mind-twisting puzzles and mind-challenging brainteasers, then you might be a good fit for an engineer. If you can identify problems and offer effective solutions, you can certainly pursue a career in engineering.
- You love technology
Do you stay on top of the latest technology developments? For instance, do you follow the latest trends in aviation, computing, automobiles, or smartphone technology? If you are passionate about a particular field and keep abreast of the latest happenings in that field, then it’s a good indication that you will be inspired to do the same in your career. Because as an engineer, you will be asked to design, create or fix things for which up-to-date technical knowledge is required.
- You have a creative bent of mind
Creativity is the art of turning innovative ideas into reality. There is a sea of difference between being imaginative and creative. If you have ideas and you don’t act on them, then you are just being imaginative. Whereas, if you have ideas and you know how to turn them into reality, you are creative. Today creativity has become a prerequisite in every field, and engineering is no exception. As an engineer, you will have to discover inventive ways to solve problems. For instance, you might want to find a more efficient way of doing things. Or, find a new way to reduce expenses. All these require creativity.
- You work well within a team
There was a time when engineers worked in isolation, sitting in the corner of the office. That’s not the case anymore. Today, for an engineer, teamwork plays a major role. You will need to converse frequently with fellow engineers, colleagues, clients, suppliers, and even with staff from other companies who are working on a similar project as you. So you must enjoy working as a part of a team. Also, you must be able to clearly communicate your thoughts in writing as well as face-to-face. Plus, you must be able to listen patiently and respond quickly to what others have to say. As a student, you must ask yourself whether you have these qualities in you for a team player.
- You are good with computers.
Today computers play a vital role in every engineering stream. Whether you pick mechanical, architectural, electrical or biomedical engineering, learning the fundamentals of programming and computer science is a must. To be ready for any engineering career, you must be familiar with computer memory manipulation, data structures, and algorithms. You may even want to take part in programming hackathons to develop your IT skills. So if you are aspiring to become an engineer, you must be good with computers and love to code programs.
Wrapping up
Now that you know what are the personality traits and skills that are required to become an engineer, we at SRM Ramapuram University, suggest that you sit in a calm place and ask yourself whether you have what it takes to pursue a career in engineering. If the answer is affirmative, go ahead and pursue engineering. An exciting world of opportunities awaits you!