So what would I say?

Even though the question is asking to advise a first year, it’s the same as the question “What do I know now that I would want my younger self to know”, so using that prompt I sat down and looked through the advice I’ve been blogging about over the last 2 years and came up with the following tips:

1. Be curious – Ask questions:
   1. Embrace curiosity as a driving force for personal and professional growth. Asking questions fosters a mindset of exploration and continuous learning.
2. Learn how to learn:
   1. Sharpen the saw: Continuously refine your learning methods. Adaptability and flexibility in your approach are key.
   2. Foster the mindset to continuously learn: Cultivate a mindset that welcomes learning as a lifelong journey rather than a destination.
3. Experiment – Don’t be afraid of failure:
   1. Embrace experimentation as a means of discovering innovative solutions. Failure is a stepping stone to success; it provides valuable lessons.
4. Challenge your ideas and others:
   1. Be open-minded but be skeptical of other opinions and ideas: Embrace diverse perspectives but critically evaluate them. Constructive skepticism encourages robust thinking.
   2. Challenge your assumptions: Actively question assumptions to uncover hidden opportunities and refine your understanding.
5. Enjoy the topic, explore every aspect it has before you choose a specialty:
   1. Immerse yourself in the subject matter. A thorough exploration ensures a well-informed decision when choosing a specialization.
6. Read – find the time to gain knowledge:
   1. Explore a variety of sources beyond books, including websites, videos, articles, and journals. Diversify your knowledge acquisition methods.
7. Find a mentor:
   1. Look for inspiration beyond your immediate surroundings. A mentor can offer guidance, share experiences, and provide valuable insights into your chosen field.
8. Learn how to think critically:
   1. Develop the ability to analyse information objectively. Critical thinking enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills.
9. Learn first principles thinking:
   1. Understand the fundamental principles underlying a concept. First principles thinking enables innovative problem-solving and a deeper understanding of systems.
10. Think Win:Win:
    1. Foster a collaborative mindset where mutual benefit is sought. Win:Win thinking promotes positive relationships and sustainable success.
11. Focus on your priorities, this will allow you to manage your time:
    1. Prioritize tasks based on importance. Effective time management ensures that energy is directed toward high-impact activities.
12. Automate where you can, learn to code and simplify your life:
    1. Embrace automation and coding skills to streamline processes. Simplifying tasks frees up time for more meaningful pursuits.
13. Keep a log book for your own thoughts and ideas:
    1. Maintain a journal to document insights, reflections, and ideas. A log book is a valuable resource for personal and professional development.
14. Figure out the key skills you need to develop in your career as an engineer:
    1. Try here for suggestions:
    2. 30 Mechanical Engineering Skills you need to learn (Technical and Soft skills) | Stuart Bateman
    3. Think about the one skill that will give you the most long-term benefit and then learn it:
    4. Prioritize skill acquisition based on long-term impact on your career goals.
15. Never be afraid to ask for help…ever:
    1. Recognize that seeking help is a strength. It accelerates learning, resolves challenges faster, and builds a supportive network.

Looking back over my own career of 20 years, I can see milestones where these points were learnt or would have helped me, it’s only now that I have these lessons that I can benefit from them and pass on to others.

Let me know your experiences or thoughts about this topic!