Extending your engineering practice knowledge

In such a short book, inevitably there are important aspects of engineering practice that have been either simplified or omitted entirely.

The Making of an Expert Engineer, published in 2014, can provide you with a much more detailed understanding of different collaboration methods: informal teaching and learning, technical coordination, project management, financial decision-making, and negotiation. It provides a deeper understanding of the human language and social interactions that form the foundations of these methods. It also provides a detailed explanation that can help you understand financial decision-making as it applies to engineering projects.

Professional recognition

After the first 4 years of engineering practice, it is worth seeking recognition for your accomplishments.

The most common recognition in many countries is a Chartered Engineer, or a Professional Engineering Licence. In many countries, this qualification is a legal requirement for independent, unsupervised practice.

In most countries, professional qualifications are administered by special organisations such as professional licencing boards. Applicants require several years of supervised practice and will normally be required to provide full details of their professional achievements. In the USA, Canada, and some other countries, passing a professional practice examination may also be necessary.

There are international agreements that extend professional recognition to many other countries, such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Engineer and the Engineers Mobility Forum (EMF). The International Engineering Alliance has been successful in gradually building a consensus for standardising engineering education. Work is progressing on standardising professional recognition across national borders as well.

However, engineering careers are extraordinarily diverse, and many do not require a professional recognition or licence at this time.

Technical specialist, generalist, or management?

Engineers face many turning points: times when they may have to choose different career paths.

An early one may be the choice between working in the field or on the shop floor of a factory or pursuing a more analytical career working mainly in offices. Experience with both is very helpful in opening up more career choices.

Traditionally, engineering careers reach a stage at which, it is thought, engineers choose to become managers or technical specialists. In some countries and enterprises, managers are not even considered to be engineers.

Another decision is whether to specialise in a particular discipline or field of engineering or to move into other fields with a broader range of knowledge.

Our research on several hundred engineers did not reveal any consistent career patterns. We found engineers who started on construction sites, went on to manage large construction firms, and then became specialised technical consultants. We found others who moved through many specialist disciplines throughout their careers. Others moved into finance and business administration.

We found some evidence that engineers working as designers were a little less happy with their careers than others, perceiving much of their work to be a waste of time since very few of their designs were ever built.

Mostly, engineers followed opportunities that arose in the course of their work rather than following a long-term career plan. Many were only able to appreciate their particular strengths when placed into unfamiliar roles that brought out the best in them, often with the help of supervisors and mentors who recognised their potential before they did themselves.

Importantly, we found that almost all the engineers we encountered were extremely happy with their career choices and none regretted being an engineer.

The best time to be an engineer

Now, more than at any time in the past, the world needs engineers who can improve productivity and create sustainable solutions. The opportunities are there for you to grasp them.

The next step is your choice.