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  Assignments Beyond Your Knowledge Level
HINT #1: A key item to remember is that you don't have to be a straight "A" student to become a good engineer. Some of the best engineers did not graduate at the top of the class. Nor does being a good student guarantee success as an engineer. Many qualities are needed and they go beyond your technical ability. People skills, curiosity, the ability to think on your feet, work habits, dedication and your outlook all come into play. The majority of engineers gravitate to the tasks that make best use of their strengths. How well you do is dependent upon your ability to adapt your strengths to the job duties.

HINT #2: However menial and trivial your early assignments may appear, give them your best efforts. Many young engineers feel that the minor chores of a technical project are beneath their dignity and unworthy of their college training. They expect to prove their true worth in some major, vital enterprise. Actually, the spirit and effectiveness with which you tackle your first humble tasks will very likely be carefully watched and may affect your entire career.
There is no "typical" day - Kate Ingle, Engineering Consultant.
 
What if you get an assignment that is beyond your knowledge level? It is possible that one of your first assignments might be something you're not capable of completing based on your current abilities and knowledge level. This might be assigned to you by design (the boss wants to see how you handle yourself) or because the boss believes you are capable of completing the task. The "why" does not matter, as now you must work to complete the task. First, don't panic. As an engineering student you were continually asked to learn new concepts and applications. The fact is, as an engineer you will be learning about new concepts and technologies throughout your career. Approach this assignment as an opportunity to learn and advance your abilities.

Second, be clear about the assignment. Verify with your supervisor what is expected of you (what you must deliver). Also confirm the schedule and the due date. You need this for planning purposes. Third, investigate. Learn as much as you can about the problem and your task. This might mean using the company's technical library, looking at previous designs and solutions, asking colleagues and co-workers for guidance, or even making a call to a favorite professor. The workplace is not like an academic setting. When you take an exam, you are on your own. In a working environment there are many resources available to assist you and teamwork is often one of your most effective tools. Make use of all of them.

Finally, tackle the problem. Develop a plan of action and propose a solution. Understand that you might not get it solved on your first attempt. For engineers, failure sometimes is the best learning tool. Pay attention to the problems you encounter, because the solution can often be found as a result of your previous attempts. Discuss your progress with your co-workers and colleagues and keep your supervisor informed. Don't be afraid to ask others - including non-engineers - for help and feedback. Technicians and machinists, for example, with practical, hands-on experience, are a source of invaluable knowledge.

In college many professors gave you partial credit for showing your work, even if you came up with the wrong answer. Engineering is a process, and how you approach a problem in using your knowledge, learning new methods and working with others is an important part of being an engineer. Your supervisor is observing you to see how well you adapt to this new environment and the methods you use in solving problems. Master that ability and no problem or task will be out of your reach.

Finally, as you are learning, do not be afraid to make a mistake. It is a certainty that at some point you will make one. As engineers, we don't always get it right the first time. What your supervisor wants to see is that you learn from your mistakes and that you are developing your skills along the way. Just don't make the same mistake twice!