Career By Design

Oscar Wilde famously said that 'with age comes wisdom'.

The whole quote is actually, "With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone," but that's a topic for another day. 

I was wondering: Can the more experienced engineers please share some wisdom and life lessons they learned from their careers thus far?
This can be something you'd advise people to avoid, preemptive measures to take, or a story about seizing the opportunity. All experiences are welcome as everyone has something of value to share!

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Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
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The best advice I can give is to borrow a phrase from Larry the Cable Guy: "Get 'er Done."

Larry is way to too crude for my tastes but this one is pure gold.  Throughout school, we learn to "do your best," but in the workplace it's get 'er done -- produce a product of sufficient quality on time, on budget, ethically.  Doing that consistently is necessary for career success and "I did my best" is never an adequate excuse.

Bill

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., D.CE, D.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Rather than considering in pieces – in my opinion, the whole quote of Oscar Wilde is relevant. Because, the entirety highlights the fact that age and wisdom do not always go hand-in-hand. The term 'sometimes' indicates the role of uncertainty in the relationship of things. When one equates age with wisdom – one essentially points finger to learning from experience. Therefore, when going through the same rigors of experience, learning differences make it so that no two individuals develop the same level of wisdom. 

• If one asks me what I have learned from my long experience – and if asked to pick up some – I would definitely pick these Four: BCSM; B – Balance, maintaining balance; C – Calmness, staying calm; S – Simplicity, trying to see things in simple terms and lead life accordingly; and M – Mindfulness, being mindful in whatever one does. I am convinced of the effectiveness of them by learning from my own experience – as well as by delving into ancient wisdoms. In whatever situation one encounters – they let one to take things easy by being conscientious, heedful and diligent – in a joyous relaxed state of unagitated mind.

• These Four act as a springboard for other human niceties to follow. They boost one's performance and accomplishment acumen.

• For some, these Four come naturally – for others, they do not come easy – requiring lots of works and cultivation to master them. It all depends on an individual's personality. I always admire people who have shown the elegance of these qualities. Needless to say that – personal, family, social and professional life can be greatly improved, if one is able to make them part of one's intuition.

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Dr. Dilip K Barua, Ph.D

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