National Engineers Week was observed in February. It’s origins and purpose include:
“Founded by NSPE in 1951, EWeek is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.”
A point of differentiation for Pro QC is the engagement of engineers. Engineers are at the heart of the organization, including a founder whose roots are tied there.
It was noted once during an interview that “engineer is not a word, but rather an identity.” And, Queen Elizabeth II herself was noted as saying “at its heart, engineering is about using science to find creative, practical solutions. It is a noble profession.”
So, what makes up a “good” engineer? At Pro QC, we hire a number of inspectors, auditors, etc. to assist with projects all over the world. Common attributes we look for include:
- Problem-solving ability
- Enhanced critical thinking, creativity
- Detail-oriented
- Natural curiosity
- Effective communication skills
A few questions we ask to assess the attributes noted above include:
- To know more about how an engineer approaches problems, ask them to identify which tools they would use to address a particular issue.
- To know more about natural curiosity, inquire about projects or hobbies outside of work.
- Ask for examples of what processes they have developed that have enhanced some example of engineering performance capabilities? What was the impact on the organization?
- To evaluate critical thinking, we ask applicants to look at a cluttered photo and find a cat. We want to see how the applicant approaches finding it.
- We ask what people like the most and least about engineering in general.
- To learn more about someone, we ask them what they get out of engineering that they don’t feel like they would get from another professional.
