2 answers
Jacob
Student
Lockport, New York
1
Question
Updated
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What experiences, skills, and decisions had the biggest impact on helping you reach your current role as a mechanical engineer, and how could someone with my background best follow a similar path I’m a high school senior planning to study mechanical engineering, and I’ve explored a mix of hands-on and creative interests—band, CAD design, 3D printing, and running a small woodworking business making charcuterie boards. I enjoy learning across different areas and asking questions to really understand how things work. Why do you think certain experiences like internships, personal projects, or specific classes matter more than others, and how should I prioritize my time during college to build the strongest foundation for a successful career??
What experiences, skills, and decisions had the biggest impact on helping you reach your current role as a mechanical engineer, and how could someone with my background best follow a similar path?
I’m a high school senior planning to study mechanical engineering, and I’ve explored a mix of hands-on and creative interests—band, CAD design, 3D printing, and running a small woodworking business making charcuterie boards. I enjoy learning across different areas and asking questions to really understand how things work.
Why do you think certain experiences like internships, personal projects, or specific classes matter more than others, and how should I prioritize my time during college to build the strongest foundation for a successful career?
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2 answers
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
240
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Jacob,
This is a very thoughtful question. First of all, I'm a retired mechanical engineer.
Your decision to become a mechanical engineer is a very important one. It demonstrates clarity of both intent and purpose - which is a critical requirement for long-term success. Business acumen is very essential for navigating our current wealth creation environment. I'm delighted that you are already doing a woodworking business. Meeting human needs is what engineering has always been about.
A culture of excellence in everything you do progressively moves you towards success.
Practical work helps us acquire practical knowledge through experience. This knowledge can never be taught in class. Getting involved in work gives us a chance to have a feel of the tasks involved. This experience helps us to innovate to make the job easier, faster with better quality etc. Trying new things leads us to discoveries - in this process we also learn what works and what does not. Perseverance is key.
The concept of competence is at the very core of what improves our chances of sustainable success. Three key factors are at play. Knowledge is the foundation for competence - the deeper and broader it is, the more helpful one becomes (this includes general knowledge). Knowledge, however, servers us well only when we put it to good use. Skills enable us optimumly utilize knowledge and the key ones include: planning, analytics, problem solving, organizing, teamwork, effective communication, time management etc. How well we manage our time determines how much we achieve each day. Generally, we need time to work, rest, travel, recreate, be with family, relatives and friends etc. Finding an optimum balance only comes with time and through experience - this can be different for different people. The third important aspect of competence is our willingnesss to get things done on time in full and to the required standard. This attribute is greatly influenced by the personal qualities we embed in our work ethic. Important ones include: commitment, diligence, attention to detail, assertiveness, curiosity, willingnesss to take risks, empathy, self-control, positive mindset, perseverance, passion etc. Demonstrating them in our daily routines improves our emotional intelligence (EQ ) and thus our competence.
This is a very thoughtful question. First of all, I'm a retired mechanical engineer.
Your decision to become a mechanical engineer is a very important one. It demonstrates clarity of both intent and purpose - which is a critical requirement for long-term success. Business acumen is very essential for navigating our current wealth creation environment. I'm delighted that you are already doing a woodworking business. Meeting human needs is what engineering has always been about.
A culture of excellence in everything you do progressively moves you towards success.
Practical work helps us acquire practical knowledge through experience. This knowledge can never be taught in class. Getting involved in work gives us a chance to have a feel of the tasks involved. This experience helps us to innovate to make the job easier, faster with better quality etc. Trying new things leads us to discoveries - in this process we also learn what works and what does not. Perseverance is key.
The concept of competence is at the very core of what improves our chances of sustainable success. Three key factors are at play. Knowledge is the foundation for competence - the deeper and broader it is, the more helpful one becomes (this includes general knowledge). Knowledge, however, servers us well only when we put it to good use. Skills enable us optimumly utilize knowledge and the key ones include: planning, analytics, problem solving, organizing, teamwork, effective communication, time management etc. How well we manage our time determines how much we achieve each day. Generally, we need time to work, rest, travel, recreate, be with family, relatives and friends etc. Finding an optimum balance only comes with time and through experience - this can be different for different people. The third important aspect of competence is our willingnesss to get things done on time in full and to the required standard. This attribute is greatly influenced by the personal qualities we embed in our work ethic. Important ones include: commitment, diligence, attention to detail, assertiveness, curiosity, willingnesss to take risks, empathy, self-control, positive mindset, perseverance, passion etc. Demonstrating them in our daily routines improves our emotional intelligence (EQ ) and thus our competence.
Daric Escher
Retired
1
Answer
Franklin, Indiana
Updated
Daric’s Answer
Great questions Jacob.
I will try to answer you efficiently. I think my experience in Drama in High School was 1 unique factor that helped lead to my success in my career. That experience helped me learn how to communicate to audiences and get over being nervous with public speaking. This capability gave me a unique advantage in my career.
I also believe that choosing to Major in Systems Engineering for my BS and going to a University which focussed on Undergraduate Students and had hands on Laboratory classes required with almost every Engineering Class helped me a lot.
I then got a job before going back for my Masters degree. I believe that going right into further education would have been a mistake.
Hope these ideas help you!
Daric W. Escher
BS Systems Engineering, Oakland University 1983
MS Aerospace Engineering USC 1987
MS Mechanical Engineering PSU
1996
I will try to answer you efficiently. I think my experience in Drama in High School was 1 unique factor that helped lead to my success in my career. That experience helped me learn how to communicate to audiences and get over being nervous with public speaking. This capability gave me a unique advantage in my career.
I also believe that choosing to Major in Systems Engineering for my BS and going to a University which focussed on Undergraduate Students and had hands on Laboratory classes required with almost every Engineering Class helped me a lot.
I then got a job before going back for my Masters degree. I believe that going right into further education would have been a mistake.
Hope these ideas help you!
Daric W. Escher
BS Systems Engineering, Oakland University 1983
MS Aerospace Engineering USC 1987
MS Mechanical Engineering PSU
1996