What’s It Like to Be an Engineer?

What’s it like to be an engineer? If you’re passionate about engineering, it can be incredibly rewarding, rather than just another job.

So, what makes the engineering experience so unique? Well, it all comes down to four key pillars of questions:

1. Is it just another job?
2. How challenging is the work?
3. How captivating and interesting is the work?
4. What’s the level of pay?

These pillars define what it’s like to be an engineer, but of course, there are variances to each of them. The level of variation for an engineer comes from answering a few key questions, like:

• Why did you become an engineer?
• What type of engineer are you?
• What type of engineering work do you do?

Now, let’s dive into each of these pillars and explore their variations. But before we do that, let me share my own experience as an engineer over the years.

How engineering has been for me over the years

Throughout the years, engineering has been an absolute joy for me. I’ve tackled challenging and fascinating problems, learning a great deal and realizing my potential far beyond my initial expectations.

For instance, I’ve spearheaded and designed various projects, such as:

• Water and wastewater treatment plants
• Water pump stations
• Electrical substations
• Renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms
• Hydroelectric facilities
• Intricate underground boring

At the onset of my engineering career, I couldn’t have dreamed of working on such projects. I was even struck by imposter syndrome, feeling like I didn’t belong. But guess what? I conquered those doubts and emerged stronger.

What’s even better is that these projects align with my childhood interests, making my work far more enjoyable than, say, being a bank teller. Passion, after all, plays a crucial role in our enthusiasm for our careers.

Furthermore, my work is always dynamic and varied, ensuring that I’m continually on my toes, never becoming boredom.

My work isn’t always glamours

Let me put it this way – my work is like a rollercoaster ride. It’s not always thrilling and exciting, but it has its ups and downs. Sure, I get to work on some really cool projects, but the reality is that there are days when I’m buried in data and calculations, and it feels like the project will never end.

Take, for instance, the first hydroelectric facility I designed. At first, I was pumped up and ready to tackle this badass cool project. But as I got into it, I quickly realized that it was going to be a lot of grueling work. The client was constantly throwing curveballs, and I had to gather data, coordinate with other engineers, run simulations, and brainstorm design ideas. It was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.

I compare all of this to pro athletes. You see pro athletes on the biggest national stages with thousands of cheering fans. It’s a heck of a dopamine rush! But these moments are only a blip in an athlete’s career. The bulk of their career, which goes unnoticed, is the endless training hours day after day. It’s the same deal in engineering.

Other realities of my job

Let me give you a glimpse into the other realities of my job. While I love what I do, there are moments when my enjoyability meter dips. For example, I have to complete a laundry list of not-so-fun tasks, including:

• Writing endless project proposals that are twenty pages or longer, and feeling like my fingers might fall off by the end.
• Chasing sub-contractors around like a wild goose chase, trying to get them to actually do what they’re supposed to do.
• Dealing with stubborn government agencies over pesky permit issues that sometimes make me want to pull my hair out.
• Dealing with irate, illogical customers who sometimes test my patience.

But here’s the thing – no job is perfect. Every line of work has its ups and downs. And for me, the ups far outweigh the downs.

As an engineer, I get to work on impactful projects that make a real difference in people’s lives. I’m constantly surrounded by bright minds who share my passion for engineering. And most importantly, I get to be the go-to person for problem-solving.

Overall, I love working as an engineer, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you want to learn more about what I do, check out this article – it goes into even more depth about the world of engineering!

What’s it like being an engineer at various workplaces?

As an engineer with friends in all sorts of different industries, I’ve gathered some fascinating insights into the diverse engineering experiences they’ve had. So, let me paint a vivid picture of what it’s like to be an engineer in various settings. Keep in mind that I’ll be generalizing here, sharing what I’ve learned from my friends’ experiences.

Government position

Picture this: long stretches of idle time, where boredom creeps in, but also a laid-back atmosphere. In most government roles, you won’t find yourself deeply immersed in engineering design work. Instead, you’ll be managing others and drowning in paperwork.

Why? Core engineering tasks are typically outsourced to the private sector. As a government engineer, your role is more focused on ensuring a facility runs smoothly and developing proposals for improvements. The private sector, in turn, handles the bulk of the design work.

Tesla and SpaceX

Imagine a whirlwind of challenges, a fast-paced environment, and the need to constantly hone your skills. The work can be exhilarating but also stressful, with few moments of respite. Elon Musk’s fiery ambition to change the world keeps everyone on their toes.

The workplace culture at Tesla and SpaceX is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. In fact, I’ve compiled a list of 20 unique workplace rules you’ll find at Elon Musk’s companies.

Despite the demanding nature of the job, my friends who work there absolutely love it. They relish the opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds on the planet and experiment with cutting-edge technologies. For them, there’s nothing cooler than leading innovation and shaping the future.

Microsoft

Contrast that with Microsoft, a large, well-established company with its own set of challenges and interesting projects. However, bureaucracy and office politics come with the territory, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Inevitably, the company’s pace can feel rather sluggish, especially when compared to the high-energy environment at Tesla or SpaceX.

4 Pillars that define “what’s it like to be an engineer?”

Let’s now go over each of the pillars we outlined at the beginning of this article.

#1 Is it just another job?

Ultimately, being an engineer is a job, but not just any job. The magic comes when you genuinely love engineering. That’s when your career transforms into a thrilling adventure instead of a monotonous grind.

Let’s be honest, your job consumes most of your waking hours. So, having a passion for your work is essential to avoid turning your life into a living nightmare.

#2 How challenging is the work?

You might think engineering is always challenging, right? Well, not necessarily. There are times when the work can become repetitive, like using the same design with minor tweaks, over and over.

This can grow stale quickly, especially for those with a burning ambition.

Many of us became engineers to tackle monumental, complex projects. Personally, I didn’t sign up to do tasks that a high school student could learn in a couple of weeks. I became an engineer to pursue challenges, and if I can’t find them, I’ll seek out different projects.

#3 How captivating and interesting is the work?

This aspect ties back to the challenges. Not every engineer works on riveting, cutting-edge projects. It boils down to where you work and the position you hold.

Some engineers, like those at SpaceX, are designing rockets to venture to Mars, pushing the boundaries of technology. Others might spend their days writing project proposals for other engineers to execute.

Neither position is inherently better. Some may enjoy the paperwork, lacking the interest or skills for rocket engineering. And that’s totally fine.

But, if you’re an ambitious engineer with dreams of working on rockets, pushing paper just won’t cut it. You’ll loathe it!

#4 What’s the level of pay?

Your salary will vary based on your workplace and responsibilities. If you just recycle the same low-level designs over and over again, you’ll get paid peanuts.

However, as a lead engineer in a particular industry, you can expect a handsome salary.

In general, engineering can provide a comfortable middle-class life. And for those who push themselves, the opportunity to climb into the upper-class echelon is definitely within reach. I know plenty of engineers making over $500k annually.

“What’s it like to be an engineer?” wrap up

Much of your engineering experience hinges on two crucial factors, assuming you’re passionate about engineering:

1. Where you work
2. The position you hold

These two elements will significantly shape your journey as an engineer. It’s akin to answering the question, “What’s it like to drive a car?”

Your driving experience will differ depending on the type of car you drive and where you drive it. For example, cruising in a 2020 Tesla contrasts sharply with navigating a Ford Model T.

Similarly, driving through the vast Vegas desert is a world apart from maneuvering along the Hana Highway in Maui.

Ultimately, if you love engineering and refuse to settle for just any job, you’re bound to enjoy your work.

What’s it like to be an engineer, to you? Do you find engineering work experiences vary greatly?