Fresh Out of College? Here Are 10 Essential Career Advice for Engineers

Leaving the comforts of academia and venturing into the working world can be quite a daunting experience for fresh graduates. Most likely, you will realise that theory does not always work so well in the practical world. But, fret not! While scary, these new experiences are also what will go on to shape your career and professional identity.

With this in mind, we’ve curated the following bits of simple yet practical career advice for engineers, particularly fresh graduates, to help you navigate your transition into the working world. 

Practical Career Advice for Engineers

1. Prioritise how you will approach your pursuit for answers. 

Maybe you are asking: how can I become a successful engineer? To start your career right, you must know that getting straight As in your studies won’t get you far in the workplace if you lack people skills, attention to detail, a positive attitude, communication skills, and professional work ethics. While mathematical formulae or engineering processes can be taught, several soft skills can only be learned through experience.

2. Don’t rush.

Rather than working late to increase productivity, spend your additional hours on improving the quality of your work. Once you get the basics right, you will be able to produce better results in less time.

There is no need to rush. Chances are, you will not achieve your ultimate career goal after a year. Everything takes time. Remember: you can’t be a project manager if you first have no experience as a junior engineer.

Instead of worrying about how long it will take for you to reach your ultimate career goal, focus your attention on your small wins. Everything is noteworthy; every kudos and every negative critique will help build your character and prepare you for your much-anticipated role.

3. Choose the right company for you.

It is a common misconception that all experience is good when you are a fresh graduate. Since there are numerous career options for engineers, you must target jobs directly in your field of specialisation. This allows you to make valuable contributions to the organisation and build your engineering experience in that field.

Apply for companies that align with your vision, values, and needs as an engineer. You may be tempted to hop on board a startup company. It isn’t necessarily bad to do so; in fact, you will learn a lot of things from a startup company since you’ll most likely wear many hats and inevitably learn every aspect of the work. However, not everyone suits this type of organisation.

On the other hand, working for a long-existing company may feel a little bit stifling. But since there are already existing parameters, at least you’d feel a degree of security. There, structure and guidance will not be a problem. The company would already have an extensive portfolio and a long history of expertise that can help enhance your own skills and influence the way other people see your value.

If you are wondering how to find the right company, the basic rule is to go somewhere you feel secure and valued. Whether it is a startup company or not, feeling confident in your role is necessary to excel in your career.  

4. Don’t let mistakes deter the trajectory of your growth. 

As a fresh graduate, you may make minor to major mistakes. But remember that every mistake is a chance for you to learn something new. So, don’t be afraid of failure; instead, welcome these opportunities to gain the needed experience.

For example, you miss one phone call. That doesn’t sound too detrimental, right? Well, what if that phone call could have given you crucial information that affected the success of your project? Small details are significant factors when you consider the big picture. Perhaps, that phone call contained a physical detail that you missed when you were completing a task. 

Another common mistake you can make is taking on unattainable projects. Since you’re young, you may feel a bit ambitious. And while this may be attractive and may reap fantastic results, you should take into mind its feasibility of it, so you don’t end up wasting resources. 

However, even if you commit these common mistakes, it’s important not to let them get in the way of your career. Think of every mistake as blocks under your feet. The more lessons you learn, the better you see the overall scene. 

5. Be proactive.

Another important career advice for engineers involving others is that if your bosses or mentors are busy, don’t wait to be told what to do. Ask them questions and take the initiative to volunteer for projects. You were not hired to sit on your hands.

6. Don’t let your internship training go to waste.

Internship programmes are essential to your formation as an engineer. They serve as your foundation, so make sure you give your all. Even if your tasks may seem dull compared to others, they still enhance your skill set and experience.

People will be patient with you as you go along. Engineers in your field will be more than happy to take you under their wing. Take every opportunity to learn from those people because they already have first-hand industry knowledge that can help boost your career prospects.

7. Expand your network and let people help you.

One of the worst things you can do at any workplace is shying away from networking. Meeting people helps the trajectory of your career and lets you have great opportunities you may not even have imagined.

Word of mouth is a powerful tool, especially if your boss has a good list of contacts who can help you further your career. You should always try to expand your network and meet people inside and outside your field. You never know: these connections might be of service in the future.

8. Consider international opportunities.

Who says you have to stay where you are? We live in a global society. The art of networking may eventually give you access to international opportunities. Branch out and see what things you can learn in different parts of the world.

With the help of friends and mentors, you can easily connect with people who can help. International opportunities aren’t scarce either. Companies worldwide have been practising outsourcing, so there are more opportunities for you to go abroad.

According to a survey, 44% in the field of engineering are willing to leave Malaysia to go abroad. On the other hand, 53% of Malaysians lean toward working for a remote employer. Truly, the idea of a global community is still on the rise, and Malaysians are still eager to participate. 

To have more insights regarding global communities, download the reports from Decoding Global Talent. Have the newest takes on global employment trends and be more informed as you go through the early phase of your career. 

9. Don’t be afraid to speak up.

You might be the youngest and least experienced engineer on the team, but it doesn’t mean your ideas and views are less valuable. If you spot something that looks like a potential mistake in the making, speak up. You might save the company a costly blunder down the line, which would make you the new go-to person.

10. Learn about the business side of things.

You don’t have to be a business expert, but knowing how a product is priced and why it’s essential to keep production costs low without affecting product quality will score you bonus points with your boss.

Ask whenever you doubt and don’t be afraid to explore unconventional possibilities. The most influential innovations of our time have been accidental rather than intentional, such as Penicillin, the microwave oven, and Teflon, to name a few. You might be the next to come up with a life-altering invention. We’ll be rooting for you!

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