By Jaime González
Special for El Inmobiliario
Since my student days, when I was studying Civil Engineering at Pedro Henríquez Ureña University, I have been involved in teaching. First as a teaching assistant for several subjects, and later, when I finished my studies, I fully assumed the role of teacher.
This close contact with the students' daily lives allowed me to appreciate firsthand the challenges they faced in achieving excellence in each of their projects, but I also became aware of their fears and insecurities. I was able to recognize in many of them the virtues and qualities that were essential for overcoming each challenge, facing them with determination, and achieving success.
This experience, which I treasure as one of the most significant of my life, allows me today to list, as a reference for those currently traveling this path of academic training, the 10 qualities of excellence that I believe every student should possess or cultivate to stand out in this exciting world of engineering:
Critical thinking: In both the learning process and the practice of engineering, it is necessary to develop the ability to analyze problems from multiple perspectives and find efficient solutions. We won't always have all the answers from the outset when starting a project, so this ability will be key to offering solutions to the challenges that may arise.
Mathematical and analytical skills: It's important to have a strong grasp of mathematics and the ability to apply these principles to engineering problems. If you enjoy this field but feel you lack mathematical aptitude, don't be discouraged. You can set aside time to practice regularly and use software like MATLAB, Wolfram Alpha, or GeoGebra, which can help you visualize mathematical problems.
Curiosity and innovation: As an engineering student, it is essential that you always have the desire to learn new things and apply creative ideas to solve complex challenges.
Resilience: That ability to face and overcome failures or difficulties, without giving up in the face of obstacles, as I have already expressed, every project you undertake will involve challenges that you will have to solve.
Teamwork: From your academic training to the development of your professional life, you will need to strengthen your ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and other professionals to achieve common goals.
Organization and time management: This refers to the ability to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines, maximizing efficiency. Ideally, you should approach your student projects with the same level of responsibility you would give a professional project; this way, you'll cultivate a commitment to excellence from the very beginning.
Technical skills: The technological advancements of this modern era permeate all spheres of our lives, and engineering is no exception. Mastering the latest tools, software, and technologies related to your field will keep you at the forefront and make you more efficient in facing any challenge.
Effective communication: The ability to explain technical concepts clearly, both to experts and to those outside the field, will allow you to thrive in any environment, attracting greater opportunities in the workplace. Cultivate a reading habit, as it will give you access to a wide variety of topics, broadening your knowledge of the world and fostering continuous learning.
Ethical and professional commitment: This means that an engineer must have a comprehensive and responsible vision of how their decisions will affect not only the success of the project, but also the well-being of society and the environment, always seeking solutions that contribute to sustainable development.
Continuous improvement mindset: This refers to the constant search for opportunities to improve skills and technical knowledge, keeping up to date with industry trends.
These qualities allow an engineering student to not only be competent, but also outstanding in their academic and professional career.
One of the most fascinating aspects of engineering is that each day brings new challenges that, although they may seem commonplace, we must be ready to face. Thus, when planning a project, it is necessary to consider multiple variables, ranging from a simple rain shower to potential traffic, the availability of materials, the possible absence or illness of key project personnel, the state of the electrical power supply, and even the availability of workspaces and the suitability of equipment.
Hence the importance of an engineer being attentive and responding quickly to changes in the environment, keeping in mind that this dynamic makes each day unique and full of opportunities to innovate and solve problems. This should be the prevailing spirit for new engineering professionals to practice their profession with excellence.
The author is: civil engineer, president of the Edwin Dulis Youth in Development Foundation, International Master in Cadastre and Real Estate Appraisal, postgraduate degree in Construction Management, certified in Occupational Risk Prevention in Construction, diploma in Real Estate.
