As an experienced mechanical engineer, Matthew Aladesaye is frequently asked questions by perspective professionals such as the qualities of successful individuals within the field. Matthew mentions that, while there are dozens of traits that can set a professional up for continued success and expanded opportunities, he speaks to how there are a few that go the furthest for setting them apart from competition within the space.
Here, Matthew Aladesaye explores a few of the most commonly cited characteristics of successful, qualified mechanical engineers.
Practical Knowledge
To be an effective mechanical engineer, an individual will need to know how to apply first principles to solve real-world problems. Matthew Aladesaye speaks to how knowing how to apply knowledge is as important as the knowledge itself in the field, and mechanical engineers develop these skills over years of experience. One interesting aspect of practical knowledge is that it heavily depends on the area in which an engineer specializes. For example, structural analysts will need to learn how to consider the effects of certain factors such as material properties, the environment, loading conditions, and geometry as well as how all of these factors contribute to structural integrity.
Creativity
Creativity is crucial for mechanical engineers for a variety of reasons. Mechanical engineers need to be resourceful and perceptive when faced with obstacles to their work and leverage their creativity to discover flaws in mechanics’ design, mechanisms, and materials. Creativity is a necessity in near every stage of a mechanical engineer’s duties whether it be drafting dimensions, developing a timeline for finishing projects, creating CAD-based blueprints, converting designs into working drawings, etc. Creativity is also an essential aspect of problem solving, as many mechanical engineers focus on area such as helping mechanical or thermal devices operate better and more efficiently.
Curiosity
Mechanical engineers are inherently interested in learning more about how things work, which is important for fueling their desire to constantly build on their acumen and knowledge. Matthew Aladesaye maintains that mechanical engineers are usually lifelong learners who strive to improve themselves and their knowledgebases to bring innovative results to their organizations and fields. Curiosity is also crucial for mechanical engineers due to the speed in which developments and advancements are made in technology and best practices. The most successful mechanical engineers not only keep up with updates to remain plugged into their field, they want to closely follow and contribute to changes as they occur to develop the best solutions possible in their line of work as well.
Attention to Detail
In some fields, small details may not have a profound impact on a project and its efficiency, however, mechanical engineering is not one of them. Since the efficiency and operation of a mechanical part can be drastically effected by even minute details, successful mechanical engineers need to be able to pay attention to even the smallest factors or risk ruining an entire project. Matthew Aladesaye upholds that attention to detail is one of the most critical traits of a great mechanical engineer as mistakes can cost a great deal of money and even have fatal consequences. For this reason, mechanical engineers that are able to take notice of even the smallest details in their work and minimize critical mistakes are extremely sought after and typically see continued success in the field.
Communication Skills
Mechanical engineers are also part of larger teams when working on their projects. Matthew Aladesaye adds that communication is important for any great mechanical engineer because it ensures that teams are able to build upon each other’s insights and work in tandem with one another. The most successful mechanical engineers are skilled at communicating effectively with their team members to overcome challenges, spur conversation, conduct testing, and ensure that projects are completed within proper timelines. It is important to remember that some mechanical engineers may need to communicate with individuals outside of their teams that to not hold the same education or expertise, meaning that they need to know how to convey important information in ways that can be understood and logged by those with different skillsets.
Team Focused Attitude
The collaborative nature of most mechanical engineering environments means that professionals must be team players who can work effectively with others. Mechanical engineers should be able to work well with a diverse range of people holding different personalities, specialties, and perspectives. Matthew Aladesaye mentions that it is important for mechanical engineers to remember that they may need to work with people who are not engineers as a function of their job duties whether they be contractors, computer scientists, or architects. Having a team focused attitude and prioritizing the best collaboration possible will not only help an individual reach for the stars in their professional careers, but it will also play a key role in ensuring that the best products possible are designed and created on behalf of their organizations.
Willingness to Learn
No one enters their career path with all of the skills necessary to succeed. To this end, a willingness to continue learning is extremely valuable for any mechanical engineer who wants to reach the upper echelons of the field. Simply put, organizations want engineers who are interesting in learning because it is a critical component of the job. Successful mechanical engineers will need to learn and relearn information on best practices, practical application of knowledge, etc. as a function of their work and cannot be held back by believing they know all there is to know about the field.
