7 things an Engineering student must know
1) SWOT without the T* (S- Strength, W- Weakness, O-Opportunity, T-Threat)
After four years of studying, an engineering graduate must know his strengths and the exact nature of the work he/she is looking for. Because there are some who can't really figure out what they want to do even at the end of four years. Following are the four types of engineers that usually exist. (If you belong to the fifth type, kindly write back to me.)
a) Tech guy
If you are confident enough of your technical skills, then apply at an engineering-oriented organisation where practical work is required. Simple and trouble free!
b) Grammers with good grades
Not any good in the lab? But you can cram things easily and were lucky enough to pass your exams with flying colours? Then you can go for teaching and the academic side of engineering.
c) Researchers
If you love to write, then the best thing you can do is to fuse your professional studies with your passion. You can go for technical report writings, research paper writings and also end user manuals writings.
d) Communicator
A rare breed but they still exist. If you are good at communication and your convincing power is strong, then you can opt to be a sales engineer (highest paid are the ones who bring business for the organisation) and also go for the technical support side. Whether it is technical side or administration side, your should know how to communicate with business and other people.
e) *T - without the 'T' because I think at the start of our professional lives, we shouldn't consider anything as a threat.
2. Switching careers
Honestly speaking, after the third year, some of us are completely sure that this is not what we actually wanted to do, but at this stage completing the degree is the only option left. So yes complete your degree and then do a self-analysis. If not engineering, then what exactly is your cup of tea? It's high time to muddle through the outside pressure.
3. Job role
Before landing any kind of job, you must know the progressive role of the job and its hierarchy. You just can't let anyone take advantage of your skills and degree. In the current situation, organisations are hiring engineers where they used to hire laymen. So keep your ears and eyes open!
4. Trust me, I am an engineer
Act like an engineer. As you have the most influential bachelors degree. Your body language, dressing, confidence and attitude should articulate before you speak. No 'Harry Potter' specs and no baggy jeans. Look tough and smart. Do you know that on August 18, 2010 the Guinness Book of World Records chose 'ENGINEERING' as the TOUGHEST course among all other courses! And you nailed it. Your appearance itself tells that you are an ENGINEER.
5. Human resource
Engineers must know the role of HR, so that their rights are not oppressed. If you can't afford to do a Professional Practice or HR course, then at least Google it. Engineers should know humans are assets for a firm or an organization. Respect the human value. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14.
6. Sexual harassment
Engineers are too busy making circuits work all four years. When they step in to practical life and see the behaviour of people around, they are completely shattered. They actually know nothing about how to survive in such situations. So understand that flirting, dirty jokes and abuses (text, call and verbal) are sexual harassment. This is a serious threat for a naive engineer and affects his/her professional and personal life.
7. Social responsibility
Not only engineers but every graduate in this country should understand his/her social responsibility. Student life was fun but it's OVER. Now it's time to pay back in any way you can but more important is to realise that. Don't try to implement any logical approach here. Think positive because sometimes the most useless circuits work! Understand the people near you and make use of them to lift from your position without disturbing others. Hardwork and God's grace is the father and mother of the son "success". Don't deviate the way of your social responsibility in order to reap the future harvest. When you get a good and comfortable amount as salary, use this for your future and your family. Saving is the main source of social responsibility to save for your next generation. Your expectation to spend the huge money for your pleasure will lead to so many complications in future. Steady and careful spending of money is the right attitude when you get a comfortable salary all on a sudden. It is the responsibility of every Engineer to build an un-corrupted and un-polluted India or a nation. Children (though you are an engineer you are child of your parents), obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" (Eph 6:1-3).
Last but least, as said in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" So, a person or an engineer should have the above qualities to get rid of the evil stress related affairs.
Word drop by S.Paul Sureshkumar, MBA(HR)
Reply to : sureshshanth@yahoo.com
About the Author
Paul Sureshkumar is a Management consultant and working as a Manager in a private firm in Madurai, India
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technical report writing for engineering students
