Getting your engineering degree is a
ticket to rewarding careers, and sometimes a handsome paycheck. But before you
enter the field as a professional engineer, some serious studying, a few late
nights, and a few tips to get you through your first year are in order.
Tip
#1: Take good notes, and keep them all after your classes are over.
Engineering textbooks can be dense,
but endure through the tedium. Do your reading – all of it – and keep a
highlighter and page markers handy. After the class is over, keep your most
useful and well-written textbooks as reference. Your notes, annotations, and
highlighting will be invaluable later on. You may even want to keep a “Rules of
Thumb” notebook, allowing you quick access to your most-used formulas.
Tip
#2: Get to know your professors.
Develop a relationship with your
professors so you feel comfortable approaching them and asking for help. Get to
know one or two key professors particularly well, and turn to them for help
with your homework, insight into the industry, and even job or program
references.
Tip
#3: Ask questions, both in class and out.
Your professors want you to learn.
But if the only thing you ever ask is, “Will this be on the test?” then you are
not taking advantage of their knowledge or willingness to help. Ask for
additional examples to clarify difficult equations and concepts. More often
than not, your fellow students will thank you for speaking up, and your
professor will appreciate your active investment in the material.
Tip
#4: Try to solve a problem before asking for help.
No one wants to do your homework for
you. You’ll be more likely to get help if you’ve already begun the effort. Even
if you’re totally lost, make a legitimate, prolonged effort to solve a problem
before asking for help. When you do seek help, be prepared to discuss what you
tried already, and bring your scratch paper showing your attempts.
Tip
#5: Form a study group.
Working alone can get exasperating
if you find yourself stuck on a problem. Working with others will not only
introduce other viewpoints to approaching a problem, it will also provide
encouragement and camaraderie in the face of frustration.
Tip
#6: Teach someone else.
One of the most effective ways of
ensuring you understand something is by explaining it to someone else. Before
you move past a subject, make sure you not only answered the question but also
can replicate and explain the process. Each new subject and concept will build
on the last, so don’t move on until you’ve mastered each new idea.
Tip
#7: Diversify your engineering classes.
Take classes in all sorts of
engineering, even if they are not your concentration. Understanding not only
the subject matter, but also how other types of engineers approach and solve
problems, will lend insight into your own field, from biomedical to mechanical
to chemical to environmental engineering and beyond.
Tip
#8: Take classes outside engineering, particularly design classes.
The most successful engineers are
insatiable learners, so seek to broaden your skill set generally. A design
class can teach you how to represent information visually and how to talk about
an idea from a big picture perspective. A writing class can hone your skills
for communicating your ideas to others. A business class can prepare you for
organizational tasks and leadership roles later in your career.
Tip
#9: Hone your communications skills, including conversation, writing, and
presentation.
The best and most innovative ideas
in the world have no hope of growing past the drawing board if you are unable
to communicate them effectively. And today, most technical communication
between team members and leadership happens over email, which is a form of
writing. Learn to present an argument simply and without agenda, and always
read your emails through once or twice before sending.
Tip
#10: Learn another language.
Engineering knows no political or
cultural borders; engineers are in demand everywhere in the world. Increase
your worth by becoming proficient in another language, and don’t be afraid to
think of your career on a global level. Want to build bridges in China? You
should learn Mandarin.
Tip
#11: Build your portfolio.
Participate in as many hands-on
projects as possible, especially those outside the classroom. Future employers
look for both coursework and relevant experience, and a well-organized and
articulate portfolio will be invaluable during your job search. Your practical
project experience will also reinforce the “in theory” knowledge you gain in
class.
Tip
#12: Get a summer internship.
One of the best portfolio buildings
blocks is the summer internship. Internships do more than build your resume;
they demonstrate to potential employers that you can commit to a long-term role
and work as part of a team.
Tip
#13: Build your network.
Do not wait until you need a job to
start building professional relationships. In addition to getting to know your
professors and peers, attend extracurricular lectures, workshops, and
networking events, and get to know as many people working or studying in your
field as possible. Take a genuine interest in the work of others, ask lots of
questions, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance or advice from those of
advanced experience. They were once neophyte engineers too!
Tip
#14: Scour the resources of professional engineering associations and
companies.
Professional engineering
associations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, are an
invaluable resource for jobs, advice, and networking. Identify organizations
that share your values and interests, and make as many contacts as possible.
Tip
#15: Skip the honors class.
In the engineering field, your GPA
matters. If you struggle in calculus, don’t kill yourself in Honors Calc; take
the easier class, learn the material thoroughly, and take the higher grade.
Tip
#16: Learn when to lead and when to back down.
Engineers often work in teams, and
every team has one or more leaders. You should feel comfortable in both leading
and following the directions of others. Hone your leadership skills and learn
how to effectively influence group decisions, but recognize when your
contribution should be to take orders and follow direction.
Tip
#17: Work on the problem before the team meets.
The best results occur when a group
discusses ideas that have already been fleshed out by individual members. Learn
to do your own work and self-motivate. Always arrive at the team meeting with
ideas in mind.
Tip
#18: Be a perfectionist.
In the words of one engineer, “In
the working engineer world, a 99% correct product can cost millions of dollars
in damages.” Adopt the mindset of practicing something until it is perfect, as
opposed to going as quickly as possible and settling for a B. When your work is
100%, even if it is slower, it is valuable.
Tip
#19: Identify your inspiration.
What made you decide to study
engineering? Who do you look up to in your chosen field? Learn about how
individuals and companies have sought and found success, and replicate their
behaviors.
Tip
#20: Take heart and persevere.
Engineering is a difficult course of
study for everyone, no matter their IQ or test scores. Frustration can lead to
feeling like an imposter. Every future engineer has struggled through seemingly
impossible problem sets, cranky professors, and gut-wrenching exams. In the
face of inevitable small failures, recognize that you are challenging yourself
like never before, and push on through the difficult experiences.
