Engineering. Is
it me or does the word itself sound mechanised? Over the last two decades this profession has been put on the pedestal by society. And if you're Indian, it's treated as the holy grail of technical careers. The hype might have a lot to do with the fact that it boasts a handsome pay
package. However there are some undeniable facts about engineers that'll probably make all those of us who are toiling away to get our engineering degree, puff our chests and hold our heads high.
When it comes to versatility, engineers can give
professionals from any other field a run for their money. If we
examine engineering from an intra-discipline perspective, versatility
exists quite evidently. At the very onset of our bachelor’s degree, we spend two semesters learning the basics for all disciplines of
engineering. Saying we could replace our counterparts in other
disciplines in the workplace, would be a stretch but we are equipped
with the basic skills and some sincere effort overtime might just
yield surprising results. As for our versatility in other fields,
this is where that checklist of trademark traits of an engineer comes in
handy. Let’s go through this list shall we?
Curiosity :- Apparently being scolded for taking apart appliances at home is a rite of passage for
any true engineer. Curiosity is an essential personality trait in a
number of other careers ranging from human resource manager up to
private detective.
Creativity:- Engineering isn’t just
about mugging up formulae and using the same to solve problems. Many
engineers find themselves in the innovative line of work and are
brainstorming ideas for new products. We have also spotted some
engineering graduates in creative fields. Ashton Kutcher, Alfred
Hitchcock and Rowan Atkinson are a few of the many “nerds” who
have become a phenomenal success in their chosen creative fields.
Teamwork and leadership skills:- At the
stage of our Bachelor’s degree we’ve had a fair number of group
projects and we’ve learnt that working as a team is beneficial in
our field. And just as well, learning to take charge is essential to
steer a project to a successful completion. Is it any wonder that
several engineering graduates have swarmed in and taken over the corporate
world with an MBA?
When it comes to our multitasking
nature I’ll once again draw reference to our academic
lives. Our coursework involves several assignments, group projects
and exams. To stay on top off all that hones our multitasking skills.
When we talk about multi-tasking in the real world post-college, the
jobs that you juggle could even have life and death implications.
Here’s a few engineering jobs that are known for their killer multitasking level:-
Nuclear engineers:- As we move into an
era in which we explore options to meet our energy requirements
through nuclear power, nuclear engineers have a tough job at hand.
Their job encompasses designing and developing nuclear equipment to
examining and preventing nuclear accidents. Does the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear disaster ring a bell?
Flight engineers(aka Air
Mechanics):-From performing pre-flight checks before take-off to
ensuring that the complex aircraft systems run smoothly, flight
engineers are responsible for the safety of all passengers and crew
on board the aircraft.
Industrial Engineers:- Although the
specifics of the job varies from one industrial process to the next, the basics remains the same. Optimising production and reducing
wastage are the key tasks of an industrial engineer.
Engineers can be called a breed of
their own. Versatility/killer adaptability? Check. Multitasking
beasts? Check. Love them or hate them, engineers are irreplaceable
members of the workforce. Scratch that, of the human race rather. Period.
No comments:
Post a Comment