Significant Career Lesson From a Civil Design Engineer at Siegfried Engineering Inc.
Andrew, a Civil Design Engineer, learned that "making mistakes are common" in the industry, a significant lesson contrasting with academic success in STEM subjects. The key takeaway is embracing mistakes as learning opportunities while striving to avoid repeated errors, achieving a balance between accepting imperfection and maintaining diligence.
Problem-Solving, Resilience, Overcoming Challenges, Making Mistakes, Learning from Mistakes
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Andrew Manes
Civil Design Engineer
Siegfried Engineering, Inc.
California Polytechnic State University, SLO
Engineering - Environmental
Architecture, Construction & Design
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. It is okay to make mistakes; it's a learning process.
2. Strong math and STEM skills are important for success in this field.
3. Learn from mistakes to improve and prevent future errors.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you've learned that has proven significant in your career?
I would say it would be just being okay with making mistakes. Being good at math, going through school, it's all the STEM subjects. I can't say I was always into the general education classes, but for the major and supporting classes, I was typically pretty good at them.
But then you get into an industry where mistakes are common if you don't really pay attention. It was a bit of a learning curve for me. I remember thinking, "Man, now I'm making all these mistakes in my actual job."
Once I realized everyone's going to make mistakes, I understood that you have to learn from them. I think the biggest lesson I learned was just learning from your mistakes because they're going to happen.
But also, you need to try not to let them happen too often. With that mindset, you can become a little lackadaisical, and you don't want that. So, I guess just being okay with making mistakes, then learning from them, and making sure you don't make them again down the road.