Want a Successful Engineering Career? Work on Communication

You’ve got the technical skills, and you’ve landed your first engineering job. But technical skills will only take you so far. Communication skills are also critical for a successful engineering career.

“Communication in all its forms helps engineers translate great engineering work into impact,” said Jeff Perry, leadership and career coach and author of the book The Intentional Engineer. 

Engineers need to be strong in both verbal and written communications, said Perry, who has a background in mechanical engineering. They’ll use these skills on the job in a variety of ways, including:
•    Collaborating with other engineers on projects.
•    Working with manufacturing and marketing colleagues to produce and promote their products; and
•    Presenting project updates to their leaders.

Farnoosh Brock, leadership coach and co-owner of Prolific Living, Inc., agreed. “To advocate for your ideas, to make sure you are well-understood, well-funded, and well-supported—all of which you need to succeed—you need to have mastery of communication,” Brock said on the Engineering Career Coach podcast, produced by the Engineering Management Institute and hosted by Perry.