4 answers
Tebogo
Student
Glen Cowie, LP
1
Question
Asked
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How can I improve My standards as an engineer after getting qualification from university?
Can I get ways to succeed or proceed
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4 answers
Ibrahim Ali
Software Developer
9
Answers
Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia
Updated
Ibrahim’s Answer
Hey! That’s a great question — and honestly, asking it shows that you already have the right mindset to grow and succeed.
Getting a qualification is just the beginning. Here are some ways you can improve your standards as an engineer and set yourself up for long-term success:
🛠️ 1. Keep Building After Graduation
Don’t stop learning after university — tech and engineering evolve fast. Pick a specialty (software, mechanical, civil, etc.), and go deeper.
Start working on personal projects or freelancing. It helps you apply what you learned in the real world and builds your portfolio.
📚 2. Learn Practical Skills, Not Just Theory
Many graduates only know theory. What separates the great engineers is the ability to apply it.
Learn tools/software used in your field (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Python, MATLAB, Git, etc.).
Watch YouTube tutorials, take free/cheap online courses (Coursera, Udemy, etc.).
🧠 3. Think Like a Problem Solver
Good engineers don’t just follow instructions — they solve problems.
Start asking: “How can this be done better?” in everything you work on.
🗣️ 4. Improve Communication Skills
Being able to explain your ideas clearly (to clients, teammates, or non-technical people) is a massive advantage.
Practice writing reports, giving short presentations, or even sharing your knowledge online.
🧑💼 5. Find a Mentor or Community
Join LinkedIn groups, engineering forums, or local meetups.
Surround yourself with people ahead of you — you’ll learn a ton just by listening and asking questions.
🎯 6. Set Goals and Stay Consistent
Set short-term and long-term goals (e.g., “learn Python this month,” or “apply for 5 jobs this week”).
Growth comes from small steps done consistently.
💡 7. Stay Curious
The best engineers never stop being students. Read about new tech, follow industry news, and explore other fields too (like AI, automation, or sustainability).
💬 Final Thought
You don’t need to know everything today. Just keep improving 1% every week. Over a year, that’s massive growth. Whether you’re working, job-hunting, or freelancing — keep building your value, stay hungry to learn, and always believe you can get better.
If you ever want help deciding what to learn next, or want feedback on a resume or project, feel free to reach out. You've already taken the first big step just by asking this!
Getting a qualification is just the beginning. Here are some ways you can improve your standards as an engineer and set yourself up for long-term success:
🛠️ 1. Keep Building After Graduation
Don’t stop learning after university — tech and engineering evolve fast. Pick a specialty (software, mechanical, civil, etc.), and go deeper.
Start working on personal projects or freelancing. It helps you apply what you learned in the real world and builds your portfolio.
📚 2. Learn Practical Skills, Not Just Theory
Many graduates only know theory. What separates the great engineers is the ability to apply it.
Learn tools/software used in your field (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Python, MATLAB, Git, etc.).
Watch YouTube tutorials, take free/cheap online courses (Coursera, Udemy, etc.).
🧠 3. Think Like a Problem Solver
Good engineers don’t just follow instructions — they solve problems.
Start asking: “How can this be done better?” in everything you work on.
🗣️ 4. Improve Communication Skills
Being able to explain your ideas clearly (to clients, teammates, or non-technical people) is a massive advantage.
Practice writing reports, giving short presentations, or even sharing your knowledge online.
🧑💼 5. Find a Mentor or Community
Join LinkedIn groups, engineering forums, or local meetups.
Surround yourself with people ahead of you — you’ll learn a ton just by listening and asking questions.
🎯 6. Set Goals and Stay Consistent
Set short-term and long-term goals (e.g., “learn Python this month,” or “apply for 5 jobs this week”).
Growth comes from small steps done consistently.
💡 7. Stay Curious
The best engineers never stop being students. Read about new tech, follow industry news, and explore other fields too (like AI, automation, or sustainability).
💬 Final Thought
You don’t need to know everything today. Just keep improving 1% every week. Over a year, that’s massive growth. Whether you’re working, job-hunting, or freelancing — keep building your value, stay hungry to learn, and always believe you can get better.
If you ever want help deciding what to learn next, or want feedback on a resume or project, feel free to reach out. You've already taken the first big step just by asking this!
Sneha Deb
Tech Consultant
194
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hi Tebogo! Improving your standards as an engineer after university is all about continuous growth, learning, and real-world application. Start by identifying the specific area of engineering you want to grow in and stay updated with the latest tools, software, and industry trends through courses, certifications, or technical blogs. Seek out mentorship, whether through senior colleagues, online communities, or professional organizations—it’s one of the fastest ways to grow your mindset and technical depth. Work on side projects or contribute to open-source efforts to sharpen your problem-solving skills and build confidence. Good luck!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
162
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Tebogo,
Graduating from university in engineering is a wonderful step forward. By this time, you are already well grounded in theoretical knowledge and a bit of practical skills & experience based on the Internships you undertook as a student.
Engineering work is generally governed by technical standards, regulations (laws) especially with regard to occupational health safety & the environment, best practices etc.
Technical standards include design and construction codes/standards for such things as pressure vessels, earthquake & wind/storm resistance, storage of hazardous (corrosive, poisonous, radioactive) materials, general standards for the design and construction of infrastructure, buildings, space vehicles, automobiles, manufacturing equipment, earthmoving equipment, medical equipment etc.
Occupational health safety and environmental regulations guard against explosions, fire, hazardous spills etc.
Best Practices are developed as a result of accumulation of knowledge & experience with the view of improving standards and performance.
These standards are often developed by professional associations such as American Society for Testing and Materials, American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, German Institute for Standards, British Standards Institute, European Norm etc. Membership in any of these Institutions exposes engineers to their professional standards.
Engineers also need soft skills such as analytical, problem solving, leadership, communication skills & ability to work in teams etc.
In manufacturing, there are best practices for operational excellence that stem from approaches such as Total Productive Maintenance, Reliability Centered Maintenance etc. Knowledge & ability to use these practices are essential for success.
Graduating from university in engineering is a wonderful step forward. By this time, you are already well grounded in theoretical knowledge and a bit of practical skills & experience based on the Internships you undertook as a student.
Engineering work is generally governed by technical standards, regulations (laws) especially with regard to occupational health safety & the environment, best practices etc.
Technical standards include design and construction codes/standards for such things as pressure vessels, earthquake & wind/storm resistance, storage of hazardous (corrosive, poisonous, radioactive) materials, general standards for the design and construction of infrastructure, buildings, space vehicles, automobiles, manufacturing equipment, earthmoving equipment, medical equipment etc.
Occupational health safety and environmental regulations guard against explosions, fire, hazardous spills etc.
Best Practices are developed as a result of accumulation of knowledge & experience with the view of improving standards and performance.
These standards are often developed by professional associations such as American Society for Testing and Materials, American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, German Institute for Standards, British Standards Institute, European Norm etc. Membership in any of these Institutions exposes engineers to their professional standards.
Engineers also need soft skills such as analytical, problem solving, leadership, communication skills & ability to work in teams etc.
In manufacturing, there are best practices for operational excellence that stem from approaches such as Total Productive Maintenance, Reliability Centered Maintenance etc. Knowledge & ability to use these practices are essential for success.
Jeff Cooley
Talent Acquisition Partner
3
Answers
Providence, Rhode Island
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
Hello Tebogo, once you've graduated and are seeking future employment/career opportunities, I would absolutely continue your education with online classes and/or certifications relevant to the engineering path you are looking to take. Certifications are typically "Preferred" in the CVS Health standard job descriptions. So anything you can gain before applying, or even actively enrolled in (And you can speak to it in an interview) will give you an edge. There is a ton interest and competition for our roles, and you have to be selective in the certain kinds of certifications or advanced learning that will round out your resume. Some can be time consuming and expensive, but others can only be beneficial in setting you apart from other applicants.