Is engineering fun?
October 31, 2020
Lisandro Vazquez, PE
Engineering… fun? There might be a 53.747% chance that specific aspects of an engineering career either directly or indirectly correspond to an experience of joy in excess of an expected minimum basal utility level. Or maybe it’s 97.849%… or 21.162%. We’re going to have to graph this one. 😉
Ok, all jokes aside, there is some truth to the ridiculousness you just read. Judging whether engineering is fun is like calling something colored gray as being coloured grey. It depends on where you’re coming from and where you want to go. It’s about your personal expectations and what you are wanting out of life.
So, though I can’t tell YOU what YOU’LL find fun, I can definitely share what I find fun about engineering.
In this article I’ll share my top 6 reasons why engineering is fun. And if you’re looking for more in-depth insight on what it’s really like as an engineer day-to-day check out the other great reads recommended at the end of this article.
I hope you enjoy!
Engineer Q&A’s Top 6 Reasons Why Engineering is Fun:
1. Your Work Matters:
Somebody somewhere wants what you are designing—so much so that they’re willing to pay for it.
Whether it is optimization of a small sub-routine of another sub-routine, an air-conditioning duct layout, or a rocket engine component your efforts as an engineer have a real impact on our lives.
Even if your specific product never makes it to production, or if your design “fails,” you or perhaps somebody else can still learn from those efforts leading to something even greater than you may have initially imagined.
The reason why engineers are compensated well for their work is because people want and demand their skills to realize their own personal needs—clean water & sanitation, life-saving seat belts, comfortable upholstery which is fire-retardant & non-toxic, a phone screen that doesn’t shatter when dropped. These things improve people’s lives in a tangible way making engineering an intrinsically rewarding endeavor.
2. You Get to Design Something New (even if it’s just a part of a part):
Think about this… when you design something from scratch or alter an existing design you’re likely creating something which has never existed in that exact configuration EVER in the history of our species. Whoa… pretty deep, huh?
For example, when I design a piping layout for a single building it is unique among the world’s structures. Sure, there are thousands of other projects which may be very similar to mine, but the one I made is still unique in some manner—and it’s MINE.
I performed the calculations. I thought about how the building would be used. I thought about how to minimize materials, costs, and labor while optimizing performance. I thought about how to reduce the possibility of blockages, how to make it easier to maintain. Each pipe location, change of direction, and size was chosen/reviewed by me.
Designing rockets or hyperloops might be more “sexy” examples, but there is quality and value even in the “invisible” engineering feats surrounding our everyday lives.
3. Engineering Attracts Intelligent & Interesting People:
The complex nature of many tasks required by engineering draws a lot of intelligent people. In general, you will be surrounded by above average performers with respect to math, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Based on my experience this results in a pool of people with which I can share common interests while at the same time learn about topics I am unfamiliar with.
Of course there are interesting and unique people across all professions; however, in my opinion I feel that engineering on the whole attracts people who not only hold these characteristics but they demonstrate a high degree of maturity and self-worth. Yes, this is 100% just my opinion. But, because of this view I find my interactions with coworkers as “fun” because I find them to be internally motivated.
4. Solving Puzzles:
Engineering will test your problem-solving skills. Nearly every project presents you with some sort of geometric or virtual “puzzle” that will stimulate your mind. To me this equals excitement.
The challenge—or fun—is in determining which factors to prioritize when seeking the optimal design.
Sure, I could be sitting almost motionless in a cubicle focusing into a computer screen, but it’s still FUN if my mind is actively engaged—being challenged—to solve or overcome an obstacle. Usually there are many solutions which could work.
Is cost the primary consideration? Is functionality #1? Is aesthetics the driver? Who makes this decision? Which stakeholders should you consult for input? How do you translate their input into numbers, equations, and real world designs? How do you communicate WHY your choices yield the best solution given the unique project constraints? How do you modify or redesign your project based on feedback from others? Every project is different in some way.
5. Learning How Things Work:
As an engineer you get to learn about how the things around you truly work. Much of engineering design involves at least some interdisciplinary collaboration which over time yields knowledge and understanding of a much wider range of engineering than that specific to your job title, especially if you are motivated to ask questions. Now this really is exciting. As you unlock the engineering secrets of things we take for granted day-to-day the world becomes more personal and intimate. The more design and collaboration you do the more your everyday world becomes an ecosystem of interconnected processes which can be optimized to your benefit.
6. Becoming an Expert:
The process of becoming an expert in a highly technical field, though at times trying, can be a decades-long source of intrinsic satisfaction and personal accomplishment. Solving complex problems that you couldn’t before, providing efficient designs based on years of personal experience, saving end-users time & money while increasing effectiveness & convenience… it feels pretty good. And you get better with each new experience or lesson learned. The process of becoming an expert can be a lifelong pursuit if you choose it to be so. Maybe “fun” isn’t the best word to attribute to this quest, but it does bring personal satisfaction.
To Sum it Up
I really hope you enjoyed this introductory read on how it feels to be an engineer. There are of course many other aspects of the profession which impact quality of life and personal/professional satisfaction, and Engineer Q&A takes a detailed look at these in many other helpful articles.
So, if you want to learn more about what it’s like as an engineer check out some of these other great reads. We’ll discuss pros & cons of an engineering career in addition to some helpful career tips.
Why Engineering? It’s a Career with an Impact
Is engineering worth it? Is it right for me?
What type of environment do engineers work in?
How many hours do engineers work?
For different perspectives on this topic check out the forum below:
Quora: “Is engineering really about designing, and building cool stuff? Is the job really fun? How much of what you learn in school do you actually use? What is engineering really about?”
