The role of an Engineer

Upon entrance to the Aerospace Engineering program at RMIT University, the ideas I held regarding the generic skills and attributes required by a professional aerospace engineer were quite hazy if not undefined. These ideas have expanded and clarified over the past two weeks during both class discussions1, a presentation by Major Normand Landry2 and also research on the internet.

Whilst solving challenging technical problems and implementing these results is the primary element of the engineers’ role, many other skills of high importance are required for a successful career3. As put by Bob Snow, the Dean of Engineering at RMIT, undergraduates have the chance to “develop technical competencies to a very high level while simultaneously developing skills in the areas of creativity, communication, innovation, leadership and teamwork attributes in demand by employers.” 4 Queens University, Canada5, Universities of Utah6 and Colorado7 in the USA and The University of Edinborough...