Do engineers benefit from hands-on experience? I was a framer for many years before I became an engineer. I've found my construction experience to be very valuable.? My hands-on experience seemed to propel my engineering career forward very quickly.? At the same time, I've met many engineers that have never worked in construction but are still excellent engineers. Since I'm connected to so many engineers and construction professionals here on LinkedIn, I thought this would be a great place to get some insight. Do you think it's beneficial for engineers to try building what their designing? Engineers - Do you think construction experience is valuable?? Construction Professionals - Have you noticed a difference in working with engineers who have some hands-on experience? ***Please share your perspective in the comments below***
You are posing an interesting question, but with obvious answer. How can any one engineer anything of value without knowing the details of its workings, usages and overall functioning characteristics? And the best way to have this knowledge is to have field experience.? But the "Instant" culture has engulfed all commonsense. A fresh "MBA" from "Harvard" or "Wharton" may make big bucks on wall street; but I don't think this person could cut mustard in a business which builds things.? Now a days you can become a "Project Manager" (PMP) by passing an exam, without ever getting involved in real project. Now even CMAA ( Construction Management Association of America) is starting a certification to become a "CM". I would have a tough time trusting these "certified" individuals with a complex multi-million dollar projects, unless they have some field experience to rely on.?
If you're at all interested, here's a link to an article with some information about a book I just released that is designed to help bridge some of the gaps in the AEC industry. It's not necessarily designed to be a "best seller". It's designed to help organizations develop real solutions. Thanks in advance for helping me get the word out. I really appreciate it! https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/book-strategic-excellence-architecture-engineering-joshua/
Fresh out of college and working in North Dakota I was designing at night, construction staking during the day, and learning how the drawing looked great on the wall, but didn't necessarily translate to the constructed product. 20 years later a contractor friend reminded me last week how seasoned engineers can continue to make the great drawings only good for the wall when not making those field visits.
Joshua - You are asking a fundamental question . . . beyond construction. In Japanese culture, both fugu and sushi have expertly trained chefs. Top restaurants cannot operate without them. There is a level of immersion and understanding that is needed. Parents cannot adequately raise children without being engaged in their lives. I am active in issues regarding homelessness. We find that we are most effective when our lives intersect - and it is a very tricky and messy process. Changes occur when there is understanding and trust.
Absolutely without a doubt in my mind. To be a good engineer you must understand how construction takes place. You need to be able to put yourself in the mind of the contractor and understand the challenges they have as a result of what you have asked them to do. My field experience and construction background have paid off immeasurably in my career as an engineer.
Ditto, but i am not a engineer now.
Experience is the best teacher.
I totally say my 20 years of construction experience is helping in my engineering career. And has helped in my engineering technician career with the DOD. Hands-on experience is way more valuable with school as an addition to knowledge in this field.
Construction is craftmanship. It is considered the interpretation of applied sicience to a real physical existence. Working on site is an essential and mandatory step in excellence in construction. When you add engineering education and site work together, you surely have quality products at the end.
Senior Operations Professional | Integrator
6 年After graduating with a BSME I went to work for a company that makes oilfield? drill bits. My second week there was a week of training in a classroom - training full of drill bit and drilling process insights. Then I spent two full weeks on drilling rigs in the field, gaining real time observations about drilling process capabilities and constraints. Both the classroom and the hands-on field experience were invaluable. The combined background from both experiences has continued to provide relevant and lasting insight throughout my career. I have heard people who do not have formal education remark "It's not a big deal; hands-on experience is more important". I've also seen people with plenty of formal training but minimal hands-on practice that have more challenge relating to real world problems and practical solutions. There's no doubt in my mind that formal training coupled with hands-on experience is best. It's a 1+1 = 3 result.