We surveyed 14,214 engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical engineer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as an engineer?
Low
High
Working as an engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become an engineer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as an engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as an engineer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as an engineer.
Do engineers work full-time or part-time?
90% of engineers work in full-time roles while 10% work part-time.
Is being an engineer stressful?
Low
High
Stress is not uncommon amongst engineers, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.
Is being organized important as an engineer?
Low
High
Organization is considered a very important trait for engineers, and is critical to success in the field.
How competitive is the workplace for engineers?
Low
High
Engineers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.
Does being an engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Engineers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.
Are engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Engineers are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do engineers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally engineers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being an engineer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as an engineers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, engineers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being an engineer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for engineers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good engineer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as an engineer.