Demand for engineers continuously growing as technology changes continuously taking place. This is the reason why lots of senior high school students are aiming to pursue an engineering course and hope to be a successful engineer someday. Aside from the high compensation, engineering promises variety of career potentials. But being one is not as easy as you think.

Based on my 5 years experience of completing an engineering course and 9 years working in this field of specialization, here are some of the basic criteria you should consider:

MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS. Exemplary skills in mathematics and science are very essential because 90 percent of your subjects will be dealt with theories and numbers. From first year to your last year of studying, computations will be the name of the game. If you dislike math and science, learn to like the subjects or better not pursue engineering course.

INTEREST. You must have full interest in taking the course. Dedication is much needed because engineering course consist of technical studies that requires actual application. Laboratory experiments, machine shop, hands-on projects, and field assignments are just some of the requirements that requires your in-depth interest.

IMAGINATIVE AND CREATIVE. You must have a heart for drafting. It is not just plain drawing or sketch but technical drafting. It requires accurate measurements, precise angles and perspective to come-up with detailed plans. Imaginative and creative mind is a must in order for engineers to convert their ideas and decision plans into detailed technical drafts.

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. An engineering course requires full responsibility. It is a kind of profession that ask for accuracy because one simple mistake can endanger life and risk safety of many individuals. Preparation for licensure examination should be taken into consideration for you to become a full-pledged engineer.

USE OF SKILLS. Taking an engineering course will require full utilization of your skills such as analytical, problem solving, and communication skills. Solutions to complex problems needs thorough analysis in order to produce good decisions or feasible results. Engineering problems unlike other problem solving doesn't show all information. Most of the times, engineers are asked to derive formulas in order to acquire information that will be used to solve the problem.

WILLINGNESS TO LEARN. Studying an engineering course doesn't end from completing the full curriculum. Continuous learning is needed to continuously provide newest technology that will ease the life of humanity. For as long as man is existing, the need for a convenient life will always be at call and demand for engineers will always prevail. For engineers are not only builders but they are also designers, innovators, inventors, producers and processors.

If you think all these criteria are in you, then I could say that engineering is for you.

Learn more about this author, Innah Alexis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to determine if engineering is for you?
We want to hear your view. Write now!