18 answers
Joseph
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
1240 views
What main skills would I need to be an engineer?
I'm Joseph and I'm good at math. And I'm gonna be an engineer but I'm wondering if there is other skills I would need to be an engineer. #tech #engineering
18 answers
Pulak (Nick) Khurana
Sales Engineering
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Pulak (Nick)’s Answer
Hi Joseph!
I think there are a few key skills needed as an engineer, but are generally good skills to have:
1. Being a problem solver. Engineers are given hard problems all the time. It's our job to figure out how to solve or "get around" those problems to get the end result.
2. Being willing to keep learning. As an engineer, you will notice that the world changes really fast, and you must be willing to change with it! Change often comes from learning about new things and not judging or shying away from them. Learn HOW to learn so you can keep learning =)
3. Being a team player. Often times engineers struggle to get ahead in their careers when they are "great engineers, but not great team players."
Good luck!
I think there are a few key skills needed as an engineer, but are generally good skills to have:
1. Being a problem solver. Engineers are given hard problems all the time. It's our job to figure out how to solve or "get around" those problems to get the end result.
2. Being willing to keep learning. As an engineer, you will notice that the world changes really fast, and you must be willing to change with it! Change often comes from learning about new things and not judging or shying away from them. Learn HOW to learn so you can keep learning =)
3. Being a team player. Often times engineers struggle to get ahead in their careers when they are "great engineers, but not great team players."
Good luck!
Austin Park
Engineering Manager
4
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Austin’s Answer
Tech and especially with Software, the industry, tools are changing all the time so you will want to be motivated to learn on your own or on the job to stay relevant. This means that you find interest, curiosity and joy in augmenting and adding to your technical toolbox. Follow tech blogs, tutorials, etc and keep a journal of why a programming language/ tool/framework/decision was made in the context of that company/person and when it wouldn't make sense to use it. Keep a side project handy if you want hands on experience on whatever you're investigating.
Keep your writing and language skill sharp. As you progress in your technical career, you'll find this beneficial as you mentor people, lead and plan projects/teams and communicate with customers and partners. Early in my career, I went through a period of not writing much and most of my time in front of the keyboard was coding, so I kept an active blog (non-technical content) to ensure I remembered my sentence structure, grammar, vocab, etc.
Keep your writing and language skill sharp. As you progress in your technical career, you'll find this beneficial as you mentor people, lead and plan projects/teams and communicate with customers and partners. Early in my career, I went through a period of not writing much and most of my time in front of the keyboard was coding, so I kept an active blog (non-technical content) to ensure I remembered my sentence structure, grammar, vocab, etc.
Nikki Munir
Manager, Product Management
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nikki’s Answer
I majored in Industrial Engineering and ended up in Product Management (which is a really great career path, by the way). There are tons of engineering fields to choose from that require different technical skills, but math is going to be a core component in all of them. Also, an understanding of the scientific method and analyzing data will be widely useful. Andrea did a great job outlining soft skills. Communication is very underrated in engineering. You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you can't explain what you've done to people who aren't experts, not many people will pay attention.
Alexandra McCoy
Site Reliability Engineer - SaaS Reliability Enablement
42
Answers
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
This is a really good question. I agree with Jennifer's answer. You need to love learning. Technology changes all the time and not only is it changing, but there are so many solutions and paths to one problem. So if we ignore the constant and rapid change, there is a need to learn competitors. Whether that is a customer/business or technical solution.
I think some of the following soft skills are also important:
- adaptability/flexibility - With constant change it is great to be able to adapt to change quickly without being overwhelmed by it.
- effective communication - I think this is something that we all say we have and include on our resume. It wasn't until I started working in the tech field that I realized many don't. In tech, you will not only work with other technical engineers, but you may sometimes need to engage with program managers, stakeholders & executives, business analyst, end-user audience and many more. So understanding who your audience is and how to communicate in a way they can understand is extremely important. Another thing is, you can end up on a team that is globally dispersed. Communication is extremely important in these instances to ensure teams run smoothly.
- team oriented - Independent of the field you work in, many roles that you take you are one part of a team. In tech, it is safe to say that this is always true so it is important that you have team skills.
- self starter - Another thing that I have learned is that often you'll join teams that may have be understaffed and busy or may be more of a startup and much hasn't been defined as of yet. The most successful staff doesn't always need to be told what to do. They find a problem and develop a solution. If they can't develop the solution they communicate the idea. If there isn't an onboarding process, they find the resources needed and maybe even document it as they go so the next employee has an improved experienced. Self starters will attempt to get the job done and if they cannot, understand the importance of involving other staff as needed.
I am sure there is so much more to add to this list, but the above are just some that immediately came to mind.
This is a really good question. I agree with Jennifer's answer. You need to love learning. Technology changes all the time and not only is it changing, but there are so many solutions and paths to one problem. So if we ignore the constant and rapid change, there is a need to learn competitors. Whether that is a customer/business or technical solution.
I think some of the following soft skills are also important:
- adaptability/flexibility - With constant change it is great to be able to adapt to change quickly without being overwhelmed by it.
- effective communication - I think this is something that we all say we have and include on our resume. It wasn't until I started working in the tech field that I realized many don't. In tech, you will not only work with other technical engineers, but you may sometimes need to engage with program managers, stakeholders & executives, business analyst, end-user audience and many more. So understanding who your audience is and how to communicate in a way they can understand is extremely important. Another thing is, you can end up on a team that is globally dispersed. Communication is extremely important in these instances to ensure teams run smoothly.
- team oriented - Independent of the field you work in, many roles that you take you are one part of a team. In tech, it is safe to say that this is always true so it is important that you have team skills.
- self starter - Another thing that I have learned is that often you'll join teams that may have be understaffed and busy or may be more of a startup and much hasn't been defined as of yet. The most successful staff doesn't always need to be told what to do. They find a problem and develop a solution. If they can't develop the solution they communicate the idea. If there isn't an onboarding process, they find the resources needed and maybe even document it as they go so the next employee has an improved experienced. Self starters will attempt to get the job done and if they cannot, understand the importance of involving other staff as needed.
I am sure there is so much more to add to this list, but the above are just some that immediately came to mind.
Sheen Patel
Network Security
10
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Sheen’s Answer
Agree with all the answers and would add:
1) Problem Solving. Ability to break down complex problems into small manageable work efforts that can be iterated at a quicker pace.
2) Learning. Willingness to fail and learn from them.
3) Inclusiveness. Able to view and accept different perspectives / ideas / suggestions.
1) Problem Solving. Ability to break down complex problems into small manageable work efforts that can be iterated at a quicker pace.
2) Learning. Willingness to fail and learn from them.
3) Inclusiveness. Able to view and accept different perspectives / ideas / suggestions.
Lulia Barakat
Engineer
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Lulia’s Answer
Hi Joseph!
Being an engineer means being a problem solver, which means math is essential but there are other skills you'll need:
a) Staying curious and being persistent about gathering the facts. It's important to separate assumptions from facts.
b) Knowing how to stay organized with your facts, and using critical thinking to move from a theory about the solution, to proving it or disproving it. This is where the logical thinking you get from math will help!
c) Being open to several possible solutions, then finding a solution that best meets the problem at hand.
d) Knowing how to test your solution to see if it works in the real world.
e) Being able to measure your results, and document them accurately for others to read, or for yourself to look back at.
f) Effective communication - you might need to convince others of the solution because they may have other opinions, or didn't get a chance to look at the facts and analysis you did.
Ask a teacher (math, science or other) to help you find a project where you can apply critical thinking.
Being an engineer means being a problem solver, which means math is essential but there are other skills you'll need:
a) Staying curious and being persistent about gathering the facts. It's important to separate assumptions from facts.
b) Knowing how to stay organized with your facts, and using critical thinking to move from a theory about the solution, to proving it or disproving it. This is where the logical thinking you get from math will help!
c) Being open to several possible solutions, then finding a solution that best meets the problem at hand.
d) Knowing how to test your solution to see if it works in the real world.
e) Being able to measure your results, and document them accurately for others to read, or for yourself to look back at.
f) Effective communication - you might need to convince others of the solution because they may have other opinions, or didn't get a chance to look at the facts and analysis you did.
Lulia recommends the following next steps:
Sandeep Muley
software engineer
9
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
In my view main skill required for an engineer would be problem solving. No matter which domain, its important that you try to solve a given problem with various approaches. This in general would help you in college and in personal life as well.
thanks
sandeep
In my view main skill required for an engineer would be problem solving. No matter which domain, its important that you try to solve a given problem with various approaches. This in general would help you in college and in personal life as well.
thanks
sandeep
Nick D
New York, USA
67
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Adding some insight to great answers here.
1-Be curious and learn how things work and are made. Take things apart and look inside, try to put them back together. Watch "How It's Made" on YouTube.
2-Learn about materials, their properties and where they come from.
3-During your education, do not underestimate the value of the liberal arts. A good engineer also knows how the world and people work.
1-Be curious and learn how things work and are made. Take things apart and look inside, try to put them back together. Watch "How It's Made" on YouTube.
2-Learn about materials, their properties and where they come from.
3-During your education, do not underestimate the value of the liberal arts. A good engineer also knows how the world and people work.
John Hunt
Data Engineer
3
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
John’s Answer
Communication! An engineer is only as good as their inputs and outputs. Good things get built by engineers who work together and understand the problem first.
Toby Allen
Pre-Sales Solution Architect
2
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Toby’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
I studied as an Electrical Engineer and have spent my entire career in telecommunications first as a developer and then a decade as a solution consultant and architect, often referred to as sales engineering.
First of all Engineering is an incredibly broad field software engineer is vastly different from civil engineering which is vastly different from chemical engineering. You need to think about what parts of engineering you find interesting. Some engineering fields are tightly regulated and controlled e.g. Civil, Electrical Power and others have almost no formal post education systems e.g. Software Engineering. The more formalised fields require certification and life long membership of societies to retain accreditation. I chose electrical engineering because from a very young age I was taking apart things and building all manner of electrical contraptions. I was very into electronics as a kid. Do you have anything you enjoy like that?
In terms of skills engineering is principally about gathering information and then making informed decisions. Typically and depending on the field of engineering you go into, you will be making decisions and recommendations based on limited information. In order to be able to make these decisions you need to be able to deeply understand the systems and processes at your disposal and be able to apply them to novel situations. To do this you need to have a love of learning of diving in to new things and understanding them enough to be able to use them.
Additionally, Communication is a core skill for many engineers. The ability to distill complex technical ideas into explanations that other people understand is key to a successful career and one of the reasons engineers are so often found working outside of engineering.
School based skills required are predominantly maths and physics.
Understand the different fields of engineering and narrow down your focus.
I studied as an Electrical Engineer and have spent my entire career in telecommunications first as a developer and then a decade as a solution consultant and architect, often referred to as sales engineering.
First of all Engineering is an incredibly broad field software engineer is vastly different from civil engineering which is vastly different from chemical engineering. You need to think about what parts of engineering you find interesting. Some engineering fields are tightly regulated and controlled e.g. Civil, Electrical Power and others have almost no formal post education systems e.g. Software Engineering. The more formalised fields require certification and life long membership of societies to retain accreditation. I chose electrical engineering because from a very young age I was taking apart things and building all manner of electrical contraptions. I was very into electronics as a kid. Do you have anything you enjoy like that?
In terms of skills engineering is principally about gathering information and then making informed decisions. Typically and depending on the field of engineering you go into, you will be making decisions and recommendations based on limited information. In order to be able to make these decisions you need to be able to deeply understand the systems and processes at your disposal and be able to apply them to novel situations. To do this you need to have a love of learning of diving in to new things and understanding them enough to be able to use them.
Additionally, Communication is a core skill for many engineers. The ability to distill complex technical ideas into explanations that other people understand is key to a successful career and one of the reasons engineers are so often found working outside of engineering.
School based skills required are predominantly maths and physics.
Toby recommends the following next steps:
Patricia Pizzillo
Network Architect
13
Answers
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Hi,
To be an engineer, having Basic problem solving skills is a must. Being able to work in a team environment and the humility to ask for help. Engineering at any level is a fast pace, sometimes high stress job. I love engineering and can not imagine being in another filed.
Best of luck.
To be an engineer, having Basic problem solving skills is a must. Being able to work in a team environment and the humility to ask for help. Engineering at any level is a fast pace, sometimes high stress job. I love engineering and can not imagine being in another filed.
Best of luck.
Anupam Agarwal
Software Developer
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anupam’s Answer
"Open to Change" can be one of the most important mindsets one should have because whenever we talk of Engineering or Technology then I would say there is always a second/another way of doing things which may be better, efficient, time saving (may not be an easy one sometimes). It's just that we may not be aware of complete solution at the starting phase because of which we sometimes didn't even give it a try.
While specifically considering Technology/Software, things are moving and upgrading really fast. What was the latest/best in the market will now not be the one after 1 year may be and this is where the 'open to change' mindset comes into picture where we need to first accept the change and also need to learn and upgrade our own selves.
Few other important aspects one should keep in mind includes actively listening to other's opinions, take suggestions & feedbacks from peers and try to accommodate a few points from them in your routine work. Lastly, one should be able to communicate and present ideas effectively and to the right set of audience. Although, all these skills doesn't essentially belong to the Technical side for becoming a good engineer but would be equally required to get succeeded in becoming a good one !!!
While specifically considering Technology/Software, things are moving and upgrading really fast. What was the latest/best in the market will now not be the one after 1 year may be and this is where the 'open to change' mindset comes into picture where we need to first accept the change and also need to learn and upgrade our own selves.
Few other important aspects one should keep in mind includes actively listening to other's opinions, take suggestions & feedbacks from peers and try to accommodate a few points from them in your routine work. Lastly, one should be able to communicate and present ideas effectively and to the right set of audience. Although, all these skills doesn't essentially belong to the Technical side for becoming a good engineer but would be equally required to get succeeded in becoming a good one !!!
Hendrik P
2
Answers
Berlin, Germany
Updated
Hendrik’s Answer
Hi, very good question.
First of all, I'd say you should be some one who would like to solve problems and then it depends what area you'd like to get in, but having a vast interest on Math and Physics as baseline will help getting into the engineering.
First of all, I'd say you should be some one who would like to solve problems and then it depends what area you'd like to get in, but having a vast interest on Math and Physics as baseline will help getting into the engineering.
Bekuechukwu Uzondu
4
Answers
Updated
Bekuechukwu’s Answer
The simplest answer to this is that you just need to be someone who has a passion for solving problems and is open and willing to learns the methods of problem solving. Once you have this, the engineering field is open to you.
Mohamed Elsaid
engineer
1
Answer
Garner, North Carolina
Updated
Mohamed’s Answer
hello Joseph L. I think the main skills you need to be an engineer is multitasking and how to learn fast, I've been in many situations that those skills help a lot. it is my personal experience
Vinu Prasad
4
Answers
Updated
Vinu’s Answer
The main skill which an engineer needs,as other answers have mentioned, would be to use the concepts that u have learned in problem solving.Many a times u will face issues which were taught to you and which u never even heard of.A good engineer through experience can see through most of the roadblocks beforehand, anything new can be solved using patience..lots of it!
Shaiju S S
4
Answers
Updated
Shaiju’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
Few areas I would suggest to focus on are:
1) Build your problem solving skills
2) Collaboration and corporation skills
3) Commitment and professionalism
4) Adaptability - effectively manage changes and try to learn every day. Keep upgrading yourself on a regular basis
5) Effective Time management
6) Communication and interpersonal skills
7) Focus on creative thinking and innovation
8) Listening skills - it is critical to be successful
9) The ability to work under pressure
10) Technical skill development - with the amount of changes happening in the technology side, try to be as up to date as possible
All the very best!
Few areas I would suggest to focus on are:
1) Build your problem solving skills
2) Collaboration and corporation skills
3) Commitment and professionalism
4) Adaptability - effectively manage changes and try to learn every day. Keep upgrading yourself on a regular basis
5) Effective Time management
6) Communication and interpersonal skills
7) Focus on creative thinking and innovation
8) Listening skills - it is critical to be successful
9) The ability to work under pressure
10) Technical skill development - with the amount of changes happening in the technology side, try to be as up to date as possible
All the very best!
Jennifer Gilbert
Manager
3
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
You need to love learning. Technology changes all the time and you will need to stay caught up and be a self-driven learner to be successful. You will also need to effectively communicate and work with others. No technology stands on it's own so you need to effectively communicate, plan, and problem solve with other Engineers to build something really great. These are the skills I look for when hiring.
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