Being an engineer is not just a profession but a unique way of looking at the world, that could be transformative if applied across your life. Whatever your discipline – industrial, mechanical, electrical, or civil – your training as an engineer will help hone a way of thinking that could be applied to every aspect of your life. Here are just a few of the skills that you’ll take for granted in your working life that could prove very useful in other situations: 

Problem Solving 

One of the most important skills that engineers develop is problem-solving. Engineers are taught that if you can break a problem down into its smaller parts, then the root cause of the issue is easier to solve. When dealing with a problem, engineers are trained to define the issue, create a list of possible solutions, develop a detailed plan for the most attractive solution, implement the plan and evaluate the results. As an engineer, you learn that there isn’t always one right answer when it comes to solving a problem, but that often there are multiple possible solutions to pick from. 

Finding Creative Solutions 

One of the best things about being an engineer is the ability to see opportunities where others do not. This is because engineers often find creative solutions by thinking outside the box. Engineers look at a problem from multiple angles and evaluate solutions based on those perspectives. They analyse data from multiple sources, making predictions about future outcomes based on past experiences, and then evaluate the risks associated with potential solutions. 

Staying Calm under Pressure 

Engineering skills are essential in helping individuals develop healthy responses to feeling under pressure, which could arise from a heavy workload or a tight deadline. Experienced engineers are used to flagging to their team when they need additional support before things become critical. This ability to handle a stressful work environment can be applied to an engineer’s home life, helping them to counteract the pressures of daily living by reaching out and asking for help, when and if needed. 

Effective communication skills 

One of the most important skills which engineers are trained in is how to communicate their ideas and concepts to other people. Often, engineers are tasked with sharing their thoughts on complex topics with their colleagues and clients. This develops their ability to express themselves clearly and work as part of a team, which can be applied to their daily life. The skills which engineers develop during their careers can be used to help them succeed in all areas of life. Engineering skills teach them to ask the smart questions, identify problems, find creative solutions and source successful ways to implement them. 

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