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What everyday life skills can engineering teach me?
I would like to help my parents back. What can I learn from engineering that can help both myself and my family other than money?
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5 answers
Updated
Gabrielle’s Answer
Hello!
Although I am not an engineer I work very closely with Vice Presidents, C-suites and various engineering leaders. I am surrounded by engineers who think very differently than me and I have learned a number of skills from them outside of understanding the science of technology that include:
- Breaking up problems into small, digestable pieces. The smaller we can break our movements, our intentions, and our thoughts into smaller pieces, the more attainable very large scale projects can be.
- Communication! Visual, verbal, written, etc.
- Accountability. Engineers tend to be process driven, analytical and logical. Engineers have challenged me to think about problems deeper and well thought out.
- Time Management. Projects have deadlines, and engineers have taught me how to break big projects down to smaller pieces and steward projects to completion.
These are monumental professional skills that have not only helped me be better in my career but better in my personal life as well. Hope this helps, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors!
-Gabby
Although I am not an engineer I work very closely with Vice Presidents, C-suites and various engineering leaders. I am surrounded by engineers who think very differently than me and I have learned a number of skills from them outside of understanding the science of technology that include:
- Breaking up problems into small, digestable pieces. The smaller we can break our movements, our intentions, and our thoughts into smaller pieces, the more attainable very large scale projects can be.
- Communication! Visual, verbal, written, etc.
- Accountability. Engineers tend to be process driven, analytical and logical. Engineers have challenged me to think about problems deeper and well thought out.
- Time Management. Projects have deadlines, and engineers have taught me how to break big projects down to smaller pieces and steward projects to completion.
These are monumental professional skills that have not only helped me be better in my career but better in my personal life as well. Hope this helps, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors!
-Gabby
Thank you, Gabrielle for the advice.
Isaac
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Isaac, engineering is a great resource for developing critical thinking. It also helps us to learn how to collaborate and work with other engineers, designers, owners, and decision makers. Knowing how to arrive at the best solution to a problem by utilizing the strengths and talents of other team members is a skill that is learned over time and good engineering design demands that to be accomplished. These are some of the life skills that can be applied to family life and other social situations; but, it is also important to know when not to be an engineer, lol. Sometimes engineers want to solve everything when the best thing to do is just listen or offer support. This is especially true in a marriage (I have learned this by experience even though I did not start my marriage that way!). I hope this helps.
Thank you!
Isaac
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hello Isaac,
That is a very good question. I work as a Mechanical Engineer, and while my experience may not be the same as many, I think there are many things you'll learn along the way to becoming an engineer.
While going to college, you'll "Learn how to learn" essentially you have a very limited time to become knowledgeable about some very complicated topics. Developing good study habits, as well as the ability to meet tight deadlines is crucial.
Alot of the non-glamourous sides of engineering like data-entry, document control, and editing can really help with things like doing taxes or managing budgets.
Depending on the field you go into, your learn technical skills like how to fix electronics/computers, how to fabricate parts, how to layout things in 2D and 3D spaces ( which helps with moving and selecting furniture).
Hopefully some of this makes sense.
Best regards,
Brian Swain
That is a very good question. I work as a Mechanical Engineer, and while my experience may not be the same as many, I think there are many things you'll learn along the way to becoming an engineer.
While going to college, you'll "Learn how to learn" essentially you have a very limited time to become knowledgeable about some very complicated topics. Developing good study habits, as well as the ability to meet tight deadlines is crucial.
Alot of the non-glamourous sides of engineering like data-entry, document control, and editing can really help with things like doing taxes or managing budgets.
Depending on the field you go into, your learn technical skills like how to fix electronics/computers, how to fabricate parts, how to layout things in 2D and 3D spaces ( which helps with moving and selecting furniture).
Hopefully some of this makes sense.
Best regards,
Brian Swain
Thank you for the advice, Brian.
Isaac
Updated
Robert’s Answer
I'm not an engineer, but have worked with them for decades and have learned a lot from them. They are:
1. Focused and diligent problem solving. This helps with engineering, but also grounds the engineers I know with skills that help for work as well as their day-to-day lives.
2. Good work life balance. Engineers have to work hard, but they know the importance of time off and relaxation. Work hard and play hard will serve you well from working too much or playing too much.
Good luck!
1. Focused and diligent problem solving. This helps with engineering, but also grounds the engineers I know with skills that help for work as well as their day-to-day lives.
2. Good work life balance. Engineers have to work hard, but they know the importance of time off and relaxation. Work hard and play hard will serve you well from working too much or playing too much.
Good luck!
Thank you for the advice.
Isaac
Updated
ARIF’s Answer
Engineering is about breaking down a highly complex problem into simple pieces. You will be using laws of physics and mathematics to solve those problems. Everyday life skills are not quite similar to engineering problems ( changing engine oil is quite different than designing a PID controller or microprocessor), so its hard to tell how engineering would help you. However, it will make you a critical thinker and you would realize that things could be very different than what it initially looked like.
Thank you so much, ARIF!
Isaac