Top 10 Qualifications of an Engineer

04 Oct Top 10 Qualifications of an Engineer

1. Detail-Driven Engineers work in matters of detail everyday, so it is important that engineers are absolutely thorough in their work and 100% accurate. There is no room for assumptions or sloppy attention to detail in engineering projects. It is critical that the work is analyzed and inspected all-around for any possible error. The safety of the public and the workers rest in the detailed work of the engineer.
2. Understanding of Math Every engineer will need to have a strong background in math and physics. Math is an integral part of engineering and will be instrumental in developing and producing quality structures to be approved by inspectors. Math is an important problem solving skill and is a must-know in the field.
3. Works Well With Others While technical skills are absolutely vital for an engineer to be hired, personality and people skills also play an influential role in the final decision of a hire. An engineer will need to know how to work well with others, persuasively communicate at times, and effectively collaborate ideas with others for the development of projects. Engineers need to be able to form good relationships with coworkers in order to create an environment of openness and collaboration. An engineer will need to be comfortable guiding a project’s direction and influencing others of the vision of the project.
4. Strong Analysis Skills The ability to analyze a situation for what it is or may become, and to predict potential threats or issues is absolutely necessary to be a competent engineer. Competent engineers have the ability to analyze a situation for what it is or may become and predict potential threats or issues. They also have the skills to assess a situation as a whole and create solutions to prevent erroneous problems to save time, money and error.
5. Proactive Another attribute of successful engineers is the ability to take initiative for a task without being assigned. Proactiveness moves projects in the right direction to produce prompt and reliable results. The ability to be proactive creates leadership opportunities not afforded to those who merely do the bare minimum of what is required.
6. Communication Skills Effective communication is an essential quality for engineers because they will need to coordinate projects and help others understand the construction process. While technical and math skills are absolutely necessary, the ability to communicate and work well with others is also vitally important. Engineers need to be able to communicate their message and vision effectively, listen to the needs of others and work together to find a solution.
7. Accountability Every ounce of work and detail needs to be accounted for. The ability to communicate clearly what has been accomplished and what else needs to be done is important in the construction process. There needs to be an individual initiative to complete projects on time, or to let others know far in advance when help may be needed.
8. Continual Learning A desire to continue learning and keep up-to-date on the latest technologies and knowledges available will keep an engineer’s skills sharp and refined. It is important to have a knowledge of the latest news, practices, and technologies to be competitive in the field. An individual who is willing to work a little harder to keep on the cutting edge of engineering will be much more successful than those who think that their education will always be enough.
9. Good Problem Solver On the job there will situations that will arise that require a creative mind to problem solve. The ability to think outside of the box and to provide quick, efficient solutions is an invaluable skill to have an engineer. Problem solving skills allow for projects to move forward without interruption and to be completed within the scheduled time.
10. Asks Lots of Questions The ability to produce quality work requires a sound understanding of practices, techniques, and field knowledge. The ability to ask the right questions to find out the right information is a skill that helps many engineers be more successful in their tasks. Those who are comfortable asking questions are able to succeed at a much higher rate than those who do not.