Like in all jobs, engineers come in all shapes and sizes. No one quality will make you a good engineer. Engineering is a field that requires many people with different skills to work together to solve complex problems. There's no precise formula that will tell you if you have what it takes, but here are some personal qualities that will help you become a successful engineer. Remember that not all these are necessary, but do keep these in mind when deciding if you see engineering in your future.
Analytical Skills
We make decisions everyday, but the decision engineers make may determine if a bridge can hold a car or if it will collapse under its own weight. That's why engineers have to be able to analyze a situation and see the factors involved that will help in making informed decisions.
Problem Solving Skills
Engineers make a living by applying knowledge in ways that can benefit people. In the real world, it's not always that easy. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When they run into dead ends, engineers have to find better ways of doing things or come up with a totally different approach. The ability to solve problems is key part of engineering.
Communication Skills
Like in any other job, engineers have to be able to get along with others. Engineers must talk to other engineers to effectively solve problems. No one, no matter how smart, can do everything by themselve. Two heads are better than one. An engineer also have to talk to the public to make sure their needs are met.
Proficiency in Math and Science
Math is the tool engineers use to develop solutions to problems while science is like a giant pool that engineers can pull ideas from. These ideas eventually become used to make people lives better. Don't worry, you don't have to be a genius. You just have to be comfortable with math and science.
Interest in Engineering
So far, we have covered several different skills used by an engineer. However, the most important thing required to be successful engineer is an genuine interest in engineering and the desire to excel. There's nothing worse than having to put up with years doing a job that you hate. Right now, you have the power to decide how much you will enjoy life in the future. Choose wisely.
Persistence
An interest in engineering is always not enough. You probably will face many obstacles on the path to a career in engineering and you probably won't always enjoy the challenges thrown at you, but you can't just give up. You have to be determined to do whatever it takes to succeed. As a female, you may have to go through more to get what you want as you encounter stereotypes and ignorance, but that does not mean that you are not capable of being a good engineer. It's all a matter of setting a goal and sticking with it through good and bad times.
Whatever you decide to do, just remember it's you who should decide, not your parents, teachers, or friends. Don't let someone tell you can't be an engineer because of your race or gender. Engineering is a field wide enough for people of all types. In fact, despite what others may think, some of the most successful engineers in the past were women. Here's a few:
Ada Bryon Lovelace helped invent a machine that would eventually lead to the modern computer. She also predicted the development of software and artificial intelligence years before they actually became reality. She even has a computer programming language named after her.
Grace Murray Hoppercreated the first computer compiler that allows programmers today to write their programs using English rather than machine language, making their jobs much easier.
Elsa Garmire advanced optical technology, making the commercial use of lasers possible. Thank her the next time you use a CD player or print something out on the computer using a laser printer.
Stephanie Kwolekdiscovered a solvent that later became used in the production of kelvar, the key component of bullet-proof vests.
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper that is widely used in cars today.
Now, you should be confident that you can be a good engineer, but you're probably wondering why you should spend years training to be one. The next section is designed to answer just that.