You probably don’t hate your work. You probably rather enjoy it. Nonetheless there’s something unnameable that niggles away at you day after day. Like Liam Neeson in Taken, you have a particular set of skills and while you may get to use them every now and then, you can feel them starting to atrophy. You’re a team player, you’re a great communicator and you’re never happier than when you’re given time to really get to grips with a problem. Those are great transferrable skills that will stand you in good stead for virtually any job, but you feel like you’re not living up to your full potential where you are.
It could be that there’s a career that you didn’t know was perfect for you…
Engineering.
You may feel that engineering is too esoteric for you or that its study is beyond the reach of your financial capabilities but the truth is that you can study a career enhancing masters of engineering management online. Online learning is a great tool for enabling people from all sorts of backgrounds to manage their education alongside their existing work and family commitments. If you find that any of these statements ring true for you, it’s likely that you were born to be an engineer, you just never knew it!
You’re never happier than when you’re tinkering with your car
Vehicle technicians and mechanics are engineers in all but name, and if you love cars and the way in which they work this can be a sign of a born engineer. If never take your car to a workshop until you’ve attempted to fix it yourself or if you love to make modifications to improve your car’s performance and love to get your hands dirty, engineering will likely appeal to this mindset.
You found mathematics easy at school
Engineers aren’t required to be mathematical geniuses, but they typically have to make numerous calculations on a fairly regular basis. Mathematical skill (and enthusiasm) requires a sound understanding of how things work in terms of mathematical principles. Moreover, solving mathematical ‘problems’ requires the combination of formulaic and creative problem solving skills that are can be the makings of a great engineer.
You’re ahead of the curve when it comes to new technology
Engineers have a healthy respect for technology in all its forms, particularly consumer technology. If you have to be the first in line to pick up the latest gadget, keep retro tech in every bit of storage space you can find it, there’s likely a budding engineer inside you itching to get out. Most people throw away their old tech or donate it to charity when they upgrade. You most likely pick it apart to either cannibalize it for parts or just to try and see if it works.
You like you’re underpaid and stagnating in your career
Engineering is not only an incredibly rewarding job, it can be well paid, too, even at entry level. Additionally, since it’s such a diverse field, there are so many opportunities for lateral and upward career progression. An engineering career can branch into management, research and development leadership or even a consultancy role.
If you’re nodding along as you read, a career in engineering is certainly for you!
