2 answers
Patanjali
Student
Escondido, California
1
Question
Updated
145 views
For engineering technicians.or skilled trades professionals, what was the hardest transition from school to real-world work, and what would you do differently if you could start over ?
Current engineering technician student at MiraCosta TCI.
Login to comment
2 answers
Patrick Katafiasz
Consultant
1
Answer
Mount Airy, Maryland
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Hello Patanjali,
One of the biggest challenges you will face when entering the workforce is shifting how you think about mistakes. In school, everything is graded, and it is easy to start feeling like those grades reflect how smart or capable you are. When you bring that way of thinking into a job, it can make even small tasks feel stressful because you feel like everything has to be perfect. The truth is, no one in the working world gets everything right all the time, including the most experienced people around you. Learning to do your best without letting the fear of mistakes take over is something almost everyone struggles with when starting out, and it takes time to figure out.
You will also find yourself in situations at work that you have never dealt with before, and that can feel overwhelming. The temptation is to try and handle everything on your own, especially if you are used to figuring things out by yourself in school. But one of the most valuable things you can learn early on is when to ask for help. It does not mean you are not capable. It actually shows good judgment, and it can save you from making bigger mistakes down the line. The working world is less about being perfect and more about learning, adapting, and being honest about what you do and do not know. The sooner you get comfortable with that, the easier and more enjoyable the transition will be.
If I could go back and do it all over again, this is the one thing I would focus on understanding sooner. Getting a handle on this challenge early would have made my transition into the workforce so much smoother and, honestly, would have done a lot for my mental health along the way. So take it from someone who learned the hard way, the earlier you start thinking about this, the better off you will be.
Best of luck!
One of the biggest challenges you will face when entering the workforce is shifting how you think about mistakes. In school, everything is graded, and it is easy to start feeling like those grades reflect how smart or capable you are. When you bring that way of thinking into a job, it can make even small tasks feel stressful because you feel like everything has to be perfect. The truth is, no one in the working world gets everything right all the time, including the most experienced people around you. Learning to do your best without letting the fear of mistakes take over is something almost everyone struggles with when starting out, and it takes time to figure out.
You will also find yourself in situations at work that you have never dealt with before, and that can feel overwhelming. The temptation is to try and handle everything on your own, especially if you are used to figuring things out by yourself in school. But one of the most valuable things you can learn early on is when to ask for help. It does not mean you are not capable. It actually shows good judgment, and it can save you from making bigger mistakes down the line. The working world is less about being perfect and more about learning, adapting, and being honest about what you do and do not know. The sooner you get comfortable with that, the easier and more enjoyable the transition will be.
If I could go back and do it all over again, this is the one thing I would focus on understanding sooner. Getting a handle on this challenge early would have made my transition into the workforce so much smoother and, honestly, would have done a lot for my mental health along the way. So take it from someone who learned the hard way, the earlier you start thinking about this, the better off you will be.
Best of luck!
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
Two things, when you are building/ fixing/ operating equipment or machinery, nothing is a perfect science. All of the calculations you do and everything you plan for will never be delivered perfect in the real world.
Second is you need to look at the practical money to function return on your equipment or machinery might not be worth it in the end. You plan on making something amazing, but it will break eventually. Sometimes inexpensive parts that are easily bought and replaced are more desirable in a design than expensive parts you hope will last longer.
What would I do differently? Maybe I had a conversation or two where I asserted book knowledge to someone with way more practical knowledge than what I had. It becomes obvious over time when you are wrong in that scenario and you just need to listen to what is in front of you and not what a book of theories says. Other than that I don't really have anything, I think most people will have the same path, when they are green they only know what they are told, when you are seasoned, you start to learn from what is actually in front of you.
Second is you need to look at the practical money to function return on your equipment or machinery might not be worth it in the end. You plan on making something amazing, but it will break eventually. Sometimes inexpensive parts that are easily bought and replaced are more desirable in a design than expensive parts you hope will last longer.
What would I do differently? Maybe I had a conversation or two where I asserted book knowledge to someone with way more practical knowledge than what I had. It becomes obvious over time when you are wrong in that scenario and you just need to listen to what is in front of you and not what a book of theories says. Other than that I don't really have anything, I think most people will have the same path, when they are green they only know what they are told, when you are seasoned, you start to learn from what is actually in front of you.
Thank you for your insights ✊ it makes a lot of sense, and helps me to think in a more productive way. Your point of calculating ROI is a different perspective that I hadn't thought of, every action your tools go through puts wear on them that has to be repaired or replaced in time. That's a good thing to keep in mind for scheduling/sequencing of jobs and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
I also have a habit of keeping my mind in the books, and have perhaps made incomplete claims because of limited field experience. It's good to know that pros like to balance books smarts with field smarts. Thank you for your awesome answers 🤙
Patanjali