6 reasons why engineering design is the coolest job ever
When people I meet ask about what we do at SolidProfessor, I explain that we help people build and maintain proficiency in software tools and subject matter in engineering and design. Following that explanation, I generally get a blank look as the person asking thinks about what that means. After a long pause, I typically get something along the lines of “Oh, engineering, so you help people who make cars, planes, bridges, and buildings.”
Most people don’t conceptualize that although engineering and design encompasses complex things like planes, trains, and buildings, almost everything we use on a daily basis was engineered and designed by someone. Everyday things like chairs, coffee makers, or the computer on your desk was engineered, designed, and then produced. Most people overlook this fact and don’t realize that almost everything surrounding them was designed. For almost everything, some engineer or designer grappled with a problem and came up with a solution which is evidenced by the everyday item we use today.
Therein lies the ubiquity of engineering design, what I love about it, and what I enjoy pointing out to people I meet. Design is everywhere and everyday things that don’t occur to you literally took someone’s brain energy to come up with the best design, create it, and then make everyone’s lives a tiny bit better.
This is exactly why I love engineering design. Because it’s everywhere. And when you join that community of engineers and designers you are part of a very special group of people that experience the world a little differently.
Being a designer is amazing because…
- If you’re in engineering design you believe there’s a solution to every problem and you get to prove it.
Engineers have the mindset that there’s no such thing as a problem that can’t be solved. Everything has a solution, it’s just a matter of taking the time and spending energy towards finding that solution.
- Creating something new and bringing it to life is intoxicating.
Do you remember building things as a kid? Perhaps something like a model airplane, a cardboard box fort, or some sort of art project? Remember that feeling of satisfaction after you completed your project? Designers get to experience that feeling every day. And the luckiest of them all get to see their products in action every day (think engineering amusement park rides) and enjoy the gratification of seeing others experience your hard work.
- Modeling with 3D CAD modeling software is FUN!
3D modeling tools, once you know how to confidently use them, are a lot of fun. You can bring an idea to life, at least virtually, within a small amount of time. Changes can be made rapidly and you can easily share a design, get feedback, virtually test it, and then make it better.
- You have the opportunity to make life better.
Look around the room, wherever you are. I think you’d agree that most of the items surrounding you make your life better. What if all of a sudden those products didn’t exist? There would be a void and you would have unsolved problems. Engineers and designers solve those problems and improve our quality of life. Designers are responsible for those life improvements and making life a little bit better for those around them.
- Prepare to never be bored.
As I mentioned before, if you’re a designer, you view the world as a bunch of problems that can be solved and through a lens of ideas to improve life. As a result, there’s an endless number of ideas, projects, and improvements to be made, leaving you with an exciting runway of engineering design experiments.
- New technology isn’t just a buzzword.
New, innovative technologies like additive manufacturing, Internet of Things (IOT), and Augmented Reality is exciting because it opens the door to solve problems in new ways and do things that were not previously possible.
If you’re an engineer or designer, you’re nodding your head yes because you know exactly what I’m talking about. The world is more interesting because of engineering design and that’s why it makes it the coolest job ever.
