• Question: What personal characteristics do you feel are necessary to be a successful engineer?

    Asked by Ace to Tom on 20 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Tom Rooney

      Tom Rooney answered on 20 Jun 2017:

      Hi Ace (cool name BTW!)
      The obvious characteristics are a logical approach to problem solving and an analytical mind. You need to be able to work hard and not give up on a problem when things go wrong (we learn as much when things don’t work as when they do!). Some of the less obvious traits are; being a team player, communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to be agile-minded (think outside the box, adaptable to situation, thinking around a problem rather than through it).
      I wouldn’t worry about these skills, they will develop as you grow in the job, for now just concentrate on your school work, trust me the fundamental stuff you learn there will come back to you in later life as an engineer and will be useful.
      Overall the MOST important characteristic you can have is ENTHUSIASM!!! Be keen, ask questions, volunteer to do new things whenever you can (even if they don’t look tempting) and you will always succeed in anything you do.
      Good luck

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