Question: how does being an engineer affect your every day life

Graham Wiggins answered on 17 Jun 2014:

fazz – interesting question there..
I think being an engineer does affect how I interact with the World.

1/I use my problem solving skills to find elegant and interesting solutions to daily life. I recycled a load of old pallets to make a fence for my back garden. I also use my skills to maintain my collection of vintage vehicles, and support my family ( parents, or my elderly relatives ) when they can’t do things themselves.
2/I use my managment training to run 2 jogging groups, running a team of 6 or 7 volunteers to help do the classes, ( as well as linking up with UKAthletics and leading some sessions myself )
3/I find I can almost “predict” what’s going to happen ( not in a “mystic meg” way, ) can just look at something, and almost “see” the forces + energy vectors… maybe that’s just my understanding from years of learning.
4/I need to understand stuff. others “just buy it” or “get someone in” or “don’t care”.
5/Oh, and I’m never stuck. I have a car. and a 4×4 for the bad weather ( I live on flood prone area ) so if one breaks, I use the other. if both fail, I use the motorcycle. if that’s broken too ? bad day .. so I cycle. bike bust too ? I’ll walk.
failling that, I’ll grab a taxi or bus or train.
6/I do find I err on the side of caution, taking educated risks, where I understand the risk/reward ratio.
7/I also use my skills to manage my health. I check my blood pressure every few months, and adjust my diet/exercise regime to correct it if it goes too low, or too high. I report the reading to my GP as well, so they have accurate figures for me.
so that’s how engineering affects me for the better,