Did you know that straight out of college, the average annual salary of an engineer in India can be approximately INR 9,65,350? A fresher, with no prior experience, with an engineering degree can get paid much better than most professionals.
Welcome to the world of engineering - a profession that turns lakhs of dreams into realities. Not only do engineers get to work on exciting projects, but they also rake in some serious cash. If you have ever dreamt of building the next iconic skyscraper or designing tech that changes lives, you are already a step closer to your dream career. From working in Silicon Valley with the top tech giants to stepping into newer careers like data science, engineering could be your golden ticket.
But before you dive deep into the thrilling world of engineering, spending all that money over 4 gruelling years, you need to find out if you have the qualities of a good engineer. Begin by evaluating yourself with a quick self-assessment test using our checklist of traits below.
Traits Of A Successful Engineer
Let's talk about assessing if you've got what it takes to be an engineer using the OCEAN model. This cool tool helps you understand your personality by looking at five important parts: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
By understanding more about yourself with the OCEAN model, you can see if you have the personality traits of an engineer.
Openness
As an engineer, you'll notice the importance of sticking to what works best. This shows that engineers generally have a lower level of openness. You might find comfort in using trusted methods to solve problems. While these methods often have proven results, it’s also good for you to learn about new advancements.
You don’t always have to be on the lookout for fresh ideas, but being open to learning new things can make you an even better problem-solver. So, as you develop the characteristics of a good engineer, remember to mix the old with the new, blending reliability with innovation for the best solutions!
Conscientiousness
Imagine you're building a giant LEGO tower. You know how important it is to carefully place each piece, making sure your tower is strong and steady. That's what being conscientious is all about in engineering! Having a balanced conscientiousness is one of the most important personality traits of a successful engineer.
You understand that paying attention to the little details helps make your projects successful and reliable. It's like making sure each LEGO piece clicks perfectly into place. This balance helps you do path breaking work as an engineer, ensuring everything works well while being ready to tackle unexpected challenges!
Extraversion
As an aspiring engineer, you might find joy in working together with friends and sharing ideas, as engineers generally rank high on extraversion. You know, it's a bit like working on a group project where everyone has fantastic thoughts about making things work better. Your ability to talk and share with others helps everyone understand and work together better, an important personality trait of an engineer to have.
However, even though you like working in a group, it's also important to have time to think and work on your own. This helps you come up with the best solutions to problems, making sure everything works just the way it should.
So, as an engineer, you must be able to enjoy the best of both worlds: working with others to a large extent but also taking time to think and create on your own!
Agreeableness
Qualities of a good engineer involve making crucial decisions that ensure the projects are strong and reliable. As an engineer, you might have to choose the best materials and designs that make buildings, bridges, and machines safe for everyone.
Even if some people prefer other options, your focus is on making sure everything is built to last and work properly. This means that engineers rank below average on agreeableness. This shows that you can't always agree with everyone, but your choices help ensure that everyone can use the things you help build safely and effectively.
Neuroticism
One of the key traits of a successful engineer is the ability to maintain a low level of neuroticism. In a field where precision and problem-solving are key, maintaining a calm composure is important. You must keep your head held high even under the pressure of deadlines or unexpected issues. This ability to stay calm under high-pressure situations will help you find effective solutions and make sound decisions.
As an engineer, you will often collaborate with other engineers or various teams. For example, a software engineer will often be expected to work with sales and marketing departments. This may cause some disagreements and differentiation in opinions – especially when your sales team is struggling with customer demands for additional features, for instance. That’s why low neuroticism is a must-have trait of an engineer. You can’t lose your temper with sales because customers don’t understand feature-cost alignment.
Furthermore, in engineering, not every idea will prove efficient, and not every project will proceed without hurdles. Face these situations with a positive attitude. You can’t let failures or setbacks deter your commitment or enthusiasm for your work. Have a rational approach and see how your work will significantly contribute to advancements in engineering.
Now that we have seen the personality traits of an engineer according to the OCEAN model, let’s understand what other traits are necessary to become a successful engineer:
Communication skills
One of the most important qualities of a good engineer is confidence. Recall the creation of the World Wide Web by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. This monumental invention by an engineer revolutionised the tech world and the way we communicate, work and live. However, its success wasn't solely due to its intricate design and coding. A significant part of its global acceptance was how its potential was effectively communicated to the world, a must-have characteristic of an engineer.
Like Berners-Lee, mastering technology is important, but your ability to break down and explain complex concepts can make a difference. In your career, you'll often collaborate with diverse teams like marketing and sales. They may not get the nuances of tech, but with your explanations, they'll grasp its importance and be able to market what you develop to paying customers. For future engineers, bridging the communication gap between product, sales, marketing, and customer service teams will be as crucial as their innovation. In other words, communication is one of the most important traits of a successful engineer.
Creativity
As an engineer, you'll often encounter various new technologies, such as automation solutions or new integration systems. Additionally, you might work with clients across diverse industries, each coming up with a new challenge. While you might rely on existing technologies for most tasks, there are times when a client's project demands unique, innovative solutions tailored specifically to their needs. That’s why being an innovator is a highly essential personality trait of an engineer.
Did you say, “Check!” to most of the qualities that we listed above? If so, the amazing field of engineering is waiting for you. It's crucial to evaluate your potential and suitability for the engineering field before investing years in study. If you are confused, undergo a personality test to determine if you possess all the necessary traits of a successful engineer?
Taking a genetic test can reveal if you have a natural talent for problem-solving. Additionally, psychometric tests can assess your ability to handle challenges, including your on-the-job problem-solving abilities. By utilising such tests, you can obtain a science-backed answer instead of just guessing if you're suited for the field.
To Sum Up
The personality traits of an engineer include thinking smart, coming up with new ideas, and being able to work through tough times. It's also really important to sharpen explanation and communication abilities to help share complex ideas with non-engineering colleagues who will market your solution and deal with customers directly.
If you possess these essential abilities, you are set for a successful and enjoyable career in engineering. So, do you have what it takes?
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