A job in engineering is really so much more than a job. It’s the kind of role you picture when somebody says the word ‘career’, and there’s good reason for that. It’s creative, but it’s a high-stakes role. The work you do doesn’t involve pushing papers and falling back into the crowd of dull, uninspired workers who clock in at 9 and clock out at 5. Engineering is not only a lasting job, but it produces lasting work. The things you build will outlive your career and maybe even you. That’s a legacy which most people can’t resist. Maybe you’re the same.
Engineering is about so much more than just building things. The art of constructing anything from a skyscraper to a beautiful city bridge is a process which requires thousands of brilliant minds, and your mind could be one of them. Whether you want to be onsite, dealing with the physical process of construction, or working on the technicalities behind a computer screen, there’s a career out there waiting for you. So, how do you enter that career?
Find out which area of engineering is for you.
Maybe you’ve always known that you loved to build, but that isn’t quite enough. You can’t jump into engineering head first. It’s such a specific industry that, to excel, you need to really narrow down your options (as hard as that may seem). The first step is to choose an area of engineering, whether that involves civil, chemical, mechanical or electrical work.
Stay a step ahead of the competition.
Now you know what you want out of life, you have to do all you can to go grab it. Nobody’s going to hand an engineering career to you on a plate, because it’s a highly competitive industry. There aren’t enough jobs to go around, unfortunately. So, if it’s what you really want, then you have to work a little harder to break into the industry than you might for other careers.
To stay ahead of the competition, get some industry experience and prepare for the real thing, first of all. Other recent university graduates might have had the same idea, but, if you don’t want to do a degree, an apprenticeship might be a good place to not only learn about your desired area of engineering, but gain some valuable experience to help you ascend directly into the industry.
Dress well for the part, too. There’s no point in “waiting until the day”. You might as well get in the mindset now. When you start going for interviews, make sure you’re prepared in the correct work gear too. If you’re doing onsite work, then spend some time researching the best work boots you can find for your specific job role. Remember, the competition is always working hard to impress potential employers, so make sure you’re always working harder.
Stay strong.
Remember what I said at the beginning of this article: competition is tough. Yes, that’s true for any industry, but engineering is an entirely different ball-park. Prepare for resistance and overcrowded interviews. Stay one step ahead, and you stand the best chance of breaking into this wonderful career.
