4 answers
Ki'yon
Student
Hopewell, Virginia
12
Questions
Asked
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What are some setbacks of being an engineer?
I have learned some advantages of being an engineer. Since I want to fully understand it, I wanted to know some set backs of pursuing to be an engineer as well to compare and contrast the two and make sure it's something I actually want to do.
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4 answers
Cody Gaspar
C.I., Quality, and Reliability Engineering
30
Answers
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Updated
Cody’s Answer
From my perspective:
The key advantage is that your actions carry significant importance.
The primary disadvantage is the immense pressure involved. You're creating items that must ensure safety.
Undertaking something of such importance inherently comes with this level of pressure.
The key advantage is that your actions carry significant importance.
The primary disadvantage is the immense pressure involved. You're creating items that must ensure safety.
Undertaking something of such importance inherently comes with this level of pressure.
Bryan Kalkhoff
Engineer
19
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Hello!
This is a really good question. When you go to engineering school you're taught how to make things. Cool things. This is a great skill and comes with great responsibility (not meaning to sound too dramatic) . I tell people to make sure they understand what they're making and a basic understanding on how it'll be used. Make sure you're ok with how your projects are used.
There's also pressure to make your project for cheaper and faster, and as the engineer you have to make sure you don't make it TOO cheap or TOO fast. Depending on the engineer, a lot of people will be using your stuff. You need to make it safe.
With this being said, you have a team. You'll have checks and balances to ensure your stuff is working as expected.
I hope this helps a little!
This is a really good question. When you go to engineering school you're taught how to make things. Cool things. This is a great skill and comes with great responsibility (not meaning to sound too dramatic) . I tell people to make sure they understand what they're making and a basic understanding on how it'll be used. Make sure you're ok with how your projects are used.
There's also pressure to make your project for cheaper and faster, and as the engineer you have to make sure you don't make it TOO cheap or TOO fast. Depending on the engineer, a lot of people will be using your stuff. You need to make it safe.
With this being said, you have a team. You'll have checks and balances to ensure your stuff is working as expected.
I hope this helps a little!
Michael Posilovic
Sales Engineer
1
Answer
Delray Beach, Florida
Updated
Michael’s Answer
In my experience, it's a very "heady" profession. Meaning the engineering game is very mental and so most engineers that I've seen (including myself) were very introverted and live their lives in the head space, constantly analyzing things, which over the years I've come to believe is not an ideal way to live. Often mental and physical health is completely overlooked and begins to suffer in the long run. Engineers can also be absolutely horrible at dealing with people and difficult to work with. Emotional intelligence is the key, in my opinion, to living a balanced and successful life as an engineer. Meditate, connect with nature, nourish your body with life giving foods, exercise in ways that are fun for you. Read the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie in order to learn how to cultivate positive relationships and people skills, which will give you a leg up on most other people who do not focus on personal development. You will make more money and be happier and healthier.
Elizabeth Thesing
Engineering
13
Answers
Springfield, Ohio
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
This is a great way to look at things, the pro's and con's list!
The first thing to keep in mind is schooling. You'll likely spend a lot of time studying, doing homework, more studying, practical labs, more studying...it's not going to be an easy college experience. You'll still be able to have fun, make friends, and enjoy college life, but be aware that some programs state you must pass courses with a certain grade or GPA to stay in the program. So be ready to study!
Once in the field, the "disadvantages" can really vary depending on what industry you're even, and even by business within the industry. Most of the places I've worked are average to great, but they still have disadvantages. Working with customers who want a certain feature that you can't implement immediately or are having trouble implementing on their time scale. Sometimes working with the government with very strict regulations. The amount of paperwork involved with certain industries. All are normal, expected even, and necessary, but can be seen as a disadvantage as opposed to being your own boss for example.
You'll also have people who insist that "we've always done it this way" and don't want to change. Sometimes it's a budget constraint you're up against. Again, expected, normal, but can be difficult to work around.
The other answers also hold true, but I wanted to point out some of the more common, day to day annoyances. There are likely others too, but this should give you some idea. People are human, and you're going to be dealing with those responses no matter what job you're in - it's just perhaps more safety and quality oriented when you're an engineer!
The first thing to keep in mind is schooling. You'll likely spend a lot of time studying, doing homework, more studying, practical labs, more studying...it's not going to be an easy college experience. You'll still be able to have fun, make friends, and enjoy college life, but be aware that some programs state you must pass courses with a certain grade or GPA to stay in the program. So be ready to study!
Once in the field, the "disadvantages" can really vary depending on what industry you're even, and even by business within the industry. Most of the places I've worked are average to great, but they still have disadvantages. Working with customers who want a certain feature that you can't implement immediately or are having trouble implementing on their time scale. Sometimes working with the government with very strict regulations. The amount of paperwork involved with certain industries. All are normal, expected even, and necessary, but can be seen as a disadvantage as opposed to being your own boss for example.
You'll also have people who insist that "we've always done it this way" and don't want to change. Sometimes it's a budget constraint you're up against. Again, expected, normal, but can be difficult to work around.
The other answers also hold true, but I wanted to point out some of the more common, day to day annoyances. There are likely others too, but this should give you some idea. People are human, and you're going to be dealing with those responses no matter what job you're in - it's just perhaps more safety and quality oriented when you're an engineer!