When it comes to engineering career choices, there are multiple fields you can work in. No matter whether you've just graduated or started your first job as an engineering professional—there are lots of career pathways you can take to achieve your goal of becoming a successful engineer. However, whatever path you take, you need to give it a perfect start.
Here are some pieces of advice that will help young engineering professionals to make sure that their career grows in the direction they want it to:
1. Find a good mentor
It seems quite obvious—there are people in the engineering industry that are far more experienced than you and have the knowledge to share. Choosing them as your mentor can help you push yourself to be your best on the right path. Have a close look at your superiors, find people that you admire the most, and seek their guidance to do better and keep your career on track.
2. Learn how to be one with the team
7 out of 10 engineers focus all their time and efforts on improving their technical skills. And that’s where they go wrong. Technical skills are important, but if you’re looking for long-term professional development, you’ve got to start working on your soft skills such as communication, teamworking, and presentation skills. Take time to acquire these skills and you’ll certainly achieve your full potential.
3. Be open to new ideas
Having a positive attitude towards your engineering career will go a long way. It’s the key to your success. Remember, nothing kills your competence or productivity more than a bad attitude. Don’t fall into the trap of not-my-idea attitude. Rejecting a good idea just because it came through a source outside your group is not a very clever move. Keep your attitude in check and you’ll get where you want to be.
4. Take risks early and often
You heard that right. We’re suggesting you to take risks. We know it’s risky but you’ve got to do it, otherwise, how will you learn. You can’t play safe all the time - because if you do, you will either end up staying still in your career or in a position worse than before. Learn to take risks often and face it head-on. What’s the worst that could happen? You’ll fail? So what? Have a positive attitude and see it as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
5. Get the most out of technology
The industry we know is rapidly changing. The only way one can ensure continuous professional development today is by embracing those changes, including the increasing use of technology in almost every aspect of engineering. In other words, a young engineer should be in constant lookout for new management and productivity tools. Whether it’s an all-in-one work management and collaboration software like ProofHub, a web-based hosting service like GitHub and/or a social media management solution like IFTTT (if this, then that)—keep up with the latest technology trends and explore development opportunities in your career like never before.
6. Take charge when you can
It’s true that we suggested you to find a good mentor, but that doesn’t mean that you expect your mentor or manager to do everything for you. It’s your career, your job, and it is you who has to figure out how to make it successful. Start taking change whenever there is an opportunity in your reach. Seek diversity in terms of your assignments, explore ways to broaden your experience, and keep on evolving.
7. Expect tough… Do not give up!
Engineer or advocate, it’s always a long, hard journey. Time and again you will come across experiences that will make you question your every decision. It will be disheartening, but do not give up! Always remember, Thomas Edison failed 1000 times before successfully inventing the prototype of the light bulb. And here’s what he said: “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention of 1,000 steps.”
There you go! These few tips will put you on the right path to develop your engineering career. Do you want to do great things for the world? Well, now is the time you start working on it.
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