How can you use your engineering background to add value to a non-technical team?

1 Communicate effectively

One of the key challenges of working in a non-technical team is to communicate your ideas, insights, and solutions in a clear and concise way that everyone can understand and appreciate. To do this, you need to avoid jargon, acronyms, and complex technical details that might confuse or bore your audience. Instead, you need to focus on the benefits, outcomes, and impacts of your work, and use simple language, analogies, and visuals to explain your concepts. You also need to listen actively, ask questions, and provide feedback to your team members, and show respect and curiosity for their perspectives and expertise.

2 Collaborate effectively

Another challenge of working in a non-technical team is to collaborate effectively with people who have different backgrounds, roles, and goals. To do this, you need to align your expectations, responsibilities, and deliverables with your team members, and use tools and methods that facilitate coordination and transparency. For example, you can use project management software, shared documents, and agile frameworks to track progress, share updates, and manage changes. You also need to leverage your engineering skills to support your team members, such as by providing data analysis, testing, or troubleshooting when needed.

3 Solve problems effectively

A third challenge of working in a non-technical team is to solve problems effectively with people who have different approaches, assumptions, and criteria. To do this, you need to adopt a flexible and creative mindset that allows you to adapt your engineering methods and tools to the context and scope of the problem. For example, you can use design thinking, prototyping, or experimentation to generate and validate ideas, or use systems thinking, root cause analysis, or optimization to analyze and improve processes. You also need to involve your team members in the problem-solving process, and seek feedback, input, and validation from them.

4 Learn continuously

A fourth way you can use your engineering background to add value to a non-technical team is to learn continuously from your experience, your team members, and your environment. As an engineer, you have a strong foundation of technical skills and knowledge that you can build upon and expand. However, you also need to develop other skills and knowledge that are relevant and useful for your team and your organization, such as business, marketing, or customer service skills. You can do this by taking courses, reading books, or attending events, or by asking for mentorship, coaching, or feedback from your team members or other professionals.

5 Network strategically

A fifth way you can use your engineering background to add value to a non-technical team is to network strategically with people who can help you grow professionally and personally. As an engineer, you have a unique perspective and expertise that can make you stand out and attract interest from others. However, you also need to be proactive and intentional in building and maintaining relationships with people who can offer you opportunities, insights, or support. You can do this by joining communities, groups, or associations related to your field, industry, or interests, or by reaching out to people who share your goals, values, or passions.

6 Showcase your value

A sixth way you can use your engineering background to add value to a non-technical team is to showcase your value and achievements to your team, your organization, and your industry. As an engineer, you have a significant impact and contribution to the success and innovation of your projects, products, or services. However, you also need to make sure that your work is visible and recognized by your stakeholders, customers, and peers. You can do this by creating a portfolio, a resume, or a personal brand that highlights your skills, experience, and results, or by sharing your stories, insights, or lessons learned through blogs, podcasts, or presentations.