Adapting to be a good engineer Monday, 13 June 2016

Opinion piece written by Ryan Eales MIEAust CPEng NER, 2015 Young Professional Engineer of the Year

When I graduated from university I had an idea of what ‘being a good engineer’ meant. But it didn’t take long for that idea to get completely flipped upside down.

As a first year engineer I found myself working for a major earthworks construction contractor. I started in the Perth office setting up civil procurement packages and then mobilised to the Pilbara based construction site where I was going to follow these packages through the construction phase. I was ready. I had studied civil engineering and had left university with an understanding of civil project basics. I had worked meticulously to set up the procurement packages, clearly defining the requirements, negotiating the contract terms and conditions and agreeing on milestone dates which would meet our project requirements. I had a plan for how I was going to manage the construction phase. But, within three hours of being onsite, I realised things weren’t going to be that straight forward.

It was an ‘imaginary dotted line’ that the Project Manager drew onto the project organisational chart which would forever change my approach to engineering. This ‘imaginary dotted line’ connected my name to the structural mechanical piping package, and it was explained to me that I was expected to manage the construction phase of this portion of works, with the sub-contractor due to mobilise to site the following day.

But I was a Civil Engineer, what did I know about structural mechanical piping? I had not studied this at university. I had not set up this package of works. I had not had time to think about how I would manage the construction phase. To be honest, I wasn’t even really sure what structural mechanical piping involved.

What I had to do, and what I have had to do time and time again as an engineer, was adapt. I had to use my problem solving skills and critical thinking, which is what makes a good engineer, but instead this time apply them to a task completely outside my preferred discipline or area of expertise. And it gave me the opportunity to learn so much about myself and what sort of engineer I was going to be.

In an increasingly difficult job market, this is something that young engineers need to consider. What skills do you bring to a potential employer? Yes, you’ve got your degree. You understand your preferred discipline. But can you adapt? Can you be flexible?  Can you apply your skills and critical thinking to a wide range of problems?

It’s how we perform outside of our comfort zone which really shows what sort of an engineer we are. And for me, that is what makes a good engineer.

The Individual Awards recognise individuals responsible for engineering achievements that have contributed to the advancement of engineering and who have demonstrated outstanding engineering skills. Nominations for the 2016 Individual Awards are closing Friday 8 July 2016. Don't miss this opportunity to be recognised for your engineering achievements or to nominate a colleague or friend.

To find out more about the 2016 Individual Awards and to nominate, please visit engineersaustralia.org.au/awards/individual-excellence-awards.

Image caption: Ryan Eales (R) accepting his 2015 Young Professional Engineer of the Year Individual Award from 2015 President, Francis Norman (L).