ScordelisÆ Rules: Sixteen words of wisdom for engineering grads. 4

[Heckler]

I can't remember where I found this! But thought it would be fitting since it's graduation time and a new crop of engineers will be starting careers.

Alex C. Scordelis, Professor emeritus of Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley.

Based on my experience as an old teacher and engineer, I would like to take the privilege of giving the graduates some random words of advice. Keep your ears open. I may ask you questions after the ceremony is over.


1.You got a good education. Use it, and remember your fundamentals.


2.The location of the decimal point is important in the real world.

3.You no longer get 9 out of 10 points for the right method but the wrong answer.

4.Your reputation follows you wherever you go. Do a good job.

5.Learn from your mistakes – but don’t repeat them.

6.If it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right.

7.Try to understand the big picture and the costs, as well your own part, of each project.

8.Make sure that whatever you design can be built or produced.

9.At the end of a project, always ask yourself, “How could I do it differently and better next time?”

10.Don’t make an engineering decision on something you don’t understand or don’t know anything about.

11.Don’t believe your boss is always right – but don’t tell the boss that you are smarter then he or she is.

12.Use your common sense to check results. If you don’t have common sense, you’d better develop some.

13.Exercise your body as well as your mind, regularly.

14.There is more to life than engineering – have some fun.

15.Money isn’t everything, but it helps.

16.And finally, always remember your alma mater. You are a Berkeley engineer. It’s all out there waiting for you.


Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 3.0 & Pro/E 2001
XP Pro SP2.0 P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he's all right." -- George Best

 

[Beggar]

Well stated, professor Scordelis.

Thanks for the post, Heckler.

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How much do YOU owe?

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

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[KENAT]

You know there's one that was drummed into me by our design prof:

Make sure you know the requirement/have the requirement clearly stated.

Can save a lot of time and money on almost any project.

 

[IRstuff]

Yah, highly desirable, rarely executed. Ambiguous requirements seem to be the norm these days.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[MiketheEngineer]

My two cents....

God gave you two ears and one mouth... and there is a reason for this.

Listen more - talk less

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

So you can listen to the double-speak coming from <insert personal preference of group held in high disdain here> ?

 

[KENAT]

My prof learnt about requirements the hard way, he was one of the leads on Northrops F5G/F20 Tigershark program!

Original list was good, except 16. Why would being an Engineer for a bank mean it's all out there waiting for you???

(Warning only Brits may get the above very bad joke)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

[Groan] ... Good job you didn't post that "very bad joke" in the Language/Grammar Skills forum. The spelling is a little bit off ... although the B is in the correct place.

 

[cksh]

I like it. I only wish more compnaies would realize our potential.

Unfortunately here is my reality after only 12 years in engineering (two years with my degree). Please parden my sense of humor but I am feeling fiesty today!

1.You got a good education. Use it, and remember your fundamentals...I do the same work now that I did before I went back to school. Come to work, model some pretty parts and go home. That really irritates me. Fundamentals? Can't remember my Algebra let alone anything else


2.The location of the decimal point is important in the real world. I don't do any math so I don't have to worry about it.

3.You no longer get 9 out of 10 points for the right method but the wrong answer. I actually like this one but there is no wrong answer. Dont forget you are part of a team

4.Your reputation follows you wherever you go. Do a good job...There is no reputation in my field. I have never worked for a competitor or on the same type of product somewhere else.

5.Learn from your mistakes – but don’t repeat them...I work on a team so the mistake is agreed upon and set in writing. If I tell someone they say don't worry about it. I end up changing it later after prototype. Keeps me busy Always remember, it is never your mistake

6.If it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right. Thats what prototyping is for

7.Try to understand the big picture and the costs, as well your own part, of each project...Only one thing matters. You must give the part away for free with the added bonus of a dollar bill wrapped around it. I am not joking

8.Make sure that whatever you design can be built or produced...When has that ever stopped anyone from trying? It keeps me busy fixing everyone's designs.

9.At the end of a project, always ask yourself, “How could I do it differently and better next time?”...I would of done it better the first time but there is always someone who screams louder.

10.Don’t make an engineering decision on something you don’t understand or don’t know anything about...Thats what engineers do. figure out what it is they don't know and solve the issue.

11.Don’t believe your boss is always right – but don’t tell the boss that you are smarter then he or she is... Your boss is always right. I get tired of arguing over designs. Let them build it and watch them say...Doh!

12.Use your common sense to check results. If you don’t have common sense, you’d better develop some...Don't worry about results. Someone will give you the results in advance. Your job is to figure out how to get there

13.Exercise your body as well as your mind, regularly. I am exercising it right now pulling all of this out my butt ~

14.There is more to life than engineering – have some fun...agree, couldn't do my job if there wasn't a little fun in it.

15.Money isn’t everything, but it helps...My new motto after seeing what everyone gets paid thats starts after me.

16.And finally, always remember your alma mater. You are a Berkeley engineer. It’s all out there waiting for you...I went to the wrong school

I guess if I needed a PE or ran my own business I would be more agreeable. I think those engineers that design buildings, roads, and the like have it worse. I always get a second chance Think about everything I have said the next time you get in a car. Chances are about 100% it was designed by a team that follows my philosophy

 

[calguy07]

thanks..i'll definitely keep this in mind

 

[davidbeach]

Think about everything I have said the next time you get in a car. Chances are about 100% it was designed by a team that follows my philosophy

That's why I buy Toyotas.

 

[HgTX]

How do you know cksh doesn't work for Toyota?

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[KENAT]

Forget about the car, what about next time you're in an aircraft!