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what motivates engineers to start doing what they do ?
technology engineering
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4 answers
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Most engineers across various fields enjoy constructing and developing things. They typically engage in projects with practical functions and love tackling challenges to ensure their creations operate effectively.
I once owned a T-shirt that humorously claimed engineers transform abstract ideas into functional mishaps, which is quite an accurate description!
I once owned a T-shirt that humorously claimed engineers transform abstract ideas into functional mishaps, which is quite an accurate description!
Updated
Fred’s Answer
There is no single answer. I would bet that if you asked 10 engineers, you'd get 10 different answers that would include variation on:
interesting problems to solve
the science behind it
doing good for the world
fell into it by accident
my mother/father did it
love of math
and many more.
interesting problems to solve
the science behind it
doing good for the world
fell into it by accident
my mother/father did it
love of math
and many more.
Thanks for the help.
zaire
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Zaire: I think that engineers start with - How does it work? They have an innate curiosity. Then, if they get that, they say - How can I make it better?
Or, How can I do that a different way, or cost less, or faster, or with less energy, etc. I sometimes make a joke in this way: Engineers like to solve problems. If there aren't any problems to solve, they create new ones that might be possible to solve. Some famous "engineers'" names you might recognize - Newton, Archimedes, Kepler, Watt, Ohm, Fourier, and so on. All of them were thinking about how physical parts of the world work, and through observation and mathematical modeling and computation, were able to develop "rules" that explained that physical phenomena. Today, we use those rules to design or improve the tools or machines that we use every day. Or, we invent new tools to do new things. How did we get to the moon and back? A bunch of different engineers and scientists (first) studied and (second) solved the problems of sending a rocket from earth to orbit the moon, land a module on the moon, re-launch it and re-dock with another spacecraft orbiting the moon, and then return to earth. Amazingly, it all worked the way we hoped it would on the ( not the first, but after several small "baby" steps) 11th try.
Actually, I skipped over two entire earlier space programs and all the prior knowledge that existed before 1960. the USA completed the moon landing (and return to earth ) in year 1969. Now, some people are thinking about doing the same thing - only better, in the next few years. And then move on to traveling to Mars. Why? Because they know we can. And we are still curious about Space. What about replacing gasoline engines with batteries and electric motors on Earth. Yes, we can. Should we do that? That's a bigger question for earth scientists to answer. It's the same question you posed: why do they think the climate is changing? Can we alter that path? Should we alter that path? Curiosity and creativity work together, hopefully for a good outcome.
Do you want to become an engineer or scientist? Is it possible that you could make a small, positive change to the world? Keep asking questions and seeking answers. I hope this helps, Zaire. Good luck!
Or, How can I do that a different way, or cost less, or faster, or with less energy, etc. I sometimes make a joke in this way: Engineers like to solve problems. If there aren't any problems to solve, they create new ones that might be possible to solve. Some famous "engineers'" names you might recognize - Newton, Archimedes, Kepler, Watt, Ohm, Fourier, and so on. All of them were thinking about how physical parts of the world work, and through observation and mathematical modeling and computation, were able to develop "rules" that explained that physical phenomena. Today, we use those rules to design or improve the tools or machines that we use every day. Or, we invent new tools to do new things. How did we get to the moon and back? A bunch of different engineers and scientists (first) studied and (second) solved the problems of sending a rocket from earth to orbit the moon, land a module on the moon, re-launch it and re-dock with another spacecraft orbiting the moon, and then return to earth. Amazingly, it all worked the way we hoped it would on the ( not the first, but after several small "baby" steps) 11th try.
Actually, I skipped over two entire earlier space programs and all the prior knowledge that existed before 1960. the USA completed the moon landing (and return to earth ) in year 1969. Now, some people are thinking about doing the same thing - only better, in the next few years. And then move on to traveling to Mars. Why? Because they know we can. And we are still curious about Space. What about replacing gasoline engines with batteries and electric motors on Earth. Yes, we can. Should we do that? That's a bigger question for earth scientists to answer. It's the same question you posed: why do they think the climate is changing? Can we alter that path? Should we alter that path? Curiosity and creativity work together, hopefully for a good outcome.
Do you want to become an engineer or scientist? Is it possible that you could make a small, positive change to the world? Keep asking questions and seeking answers. I hope this helps, Zaire. Good luck!
Updated
Billy’s Answer
Hi Zaire, Good question! Engineers have a certain mindset that helps them succeed in their career. One of the fundamental traits that I have seen common among Engineers is a strong sense of Curiosity. Engineers want to know how a system works, its sub components, its feature functionality and design & implementation logic. Engineers may assume different roles Design, Testing, Planning, Project Mgmt, Implementation and Repair etc. This need to understand and learn about the systems/solutions they are dealing with is key to their success in these roles. Once they understand how things work, they use their creativity/talent and think about how to make things better (faster/better/cheaper). This leads to innovation and inventions. For e.g. Internal Combustion Engines to Electrified engines.
Another key ingredient that makes Engineers successful is solid foundation of education in an Engineering discipline of choice so that one has all the knowledge and skills that they could use to solve problems and make things better. Wish you luck in your Engineering Journey!
Another key ingredient that makes Engineers successful is solid foundation of education in an Engineering discipline of choice so that one has all the knowledge and skills that they could use to solve problems and make things better. Wish you luck in your Engineering Journey!
Thank you so much, Billy!
zaire