What's the Best Skill for College Engineers to Focus On?

As a future engineering student, I'm curious about what skills or experiences I should prioritize. Is there something particular that successful engineers have focused on during their college years that really helped them later?

A robust engineering education is built on a solid foundation of technical knowledge and hands-on experiences. Here are three main areas you should focus on:

1. Technical Knowledge and Skills: It's essential to master the fundamental principles of your engineering discipline, whether that's mechanical, civil, electrical, or something else altogether. This requires a deep immersion in your coursework. It might be beneficial to specialize in a niche area within your field that interests you—such as robotics in mechanical engineering or renewable energy in electrical engineering.

2. Practical Application through Internships and Research: Applying what you learn in a real-world setting is crucial. Internships, co-ops, or research projects in your area of interest are a great way to do this. They not only give you valuable professional and practical experience but also help you crystallize theoretical concepts learned in class.

3. Soft Skills: Engineers also need strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work well in teams. Collaboration is often necessary on projects, and being able to communicate complex technical ideas simply to non-engineers is also a valuable skill. Additionally, taking part in leadership roles, like leading a student engineering org or organizing a tech event, could hone these abilities.

4. Interdisciplinary Learning: Finally, remember that you can develop abilities relevant to engineering even in non-engineering classes, so don't neglect the value of distributive requirements or elective offerings your school may have. For example, learning another language can help you think more creatively, as well as potentially make you more marketable in an increasingly globalized economy.

To summarize, the most successful engineers balance technical skills, practical application through internships and research, soft skills, and interdisciplinary learning, each reinforcing the other throughout your college years. Enjoy your major!