Practical Career Advice for Engineers

Written by an experienced engineer, Practical Career Advice for Engineers: Personal Letters from an Experienced Engineer to Students and New Engineers is a series of personal conversation-style letters that offers practical career advice to all engineers. It guides them through their entire career from early education, to professional certification, on into the workplace, and eventually to retirement. Important topics such as how to acquire leadership skills, improve communication skills, and develop the business side of engineering, as well as how to find a good engineering job, are also addressed.
The book guides engineers on how to make good career decisions, using precise and systematic processes. It offers inspiration and insight to student engineers and working engineers on how to have successful and satisfying educations and careers. It can also help experienced engineers to more effectively guide and mentor new engineers. It explores the important topics of creativity, ethics, intellectual property, and scientific principles in engineering and at the same time weaves real-world stories, concepts, diagrams, and tips throughout the book in the form of personal letters perfect for quick and easy comprehension.
The book targets all engineers working in all disciplines, all industry sectors, and all locations. Engineering students can also learn more about a career in engineering and what they need to do to prepare for it by reading this book.
Radovan Zdero, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, has decades of experience as an engineer and a mentor to engineers. His engineering background includes a master's degree in aerodynamics (McMaster University, Canada) and a doctoral degree in biomechanics (Queen's University, Canada). He is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and a Professor in the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (Western University, Canada). He has published many scholarly research articles in peer-reviewed engineering, science, and medical journals. He is also the editor of the engineering textbook Experimental Methods in Orthopaedic Biomechanics. Contact the author: dr.zdero@hotmail.com

Radovan Zdero, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, has decades of experience as an engineer and a mentor to engineers. His engineering background includes a master's degree in aerodynamics (McMaster University, Canada) and a doctoral degree in biomechanics (Queen's University, Canada). He is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and a Professor in the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (Western University, Canada). He has published many scholarly research articles in peer-reviewed engineering, science, and medical journals. He is also the editor of the engineering textbook Experimental Methods in Orthopaedic Biomechanics.

Part 1: Basics. Letter 1. What's an Engineer?. Letter 2. The Different Types of Engineers: The "Classic 4" and Their Spin-Offs. Letter 3. A Brief History of How Engineers Built Civilization: Ancient Times to Today. Part 2: Preparation. Letter 4. To B.E. or Not to B.E.: Studying Engineering in University. Letter 5. Why (and Why Not) to Get a Master's or Doctorate in Engineering. Letter 6. Professional Engineering Status: Societies, Certifications, Designations. Part 3: Principles. Letter 7. The Science of Engineering: How to Use Scientific Principles and Procedures. Letter 8. The Art of Engineering: How to Unlock and Maximize the Engineer's Creativity. Letter 9. The Business of Engineering: How to Understand and Apply Business Principles. Letter 10. The Ethics of Engineering: Understanding the Moral Duties of the Engineer. Letter 11. The Personal Traits of an Engineer: Typical Attributes of an Effective Engineer. Part 4: Workforce. Letter 12. Where Do Engineers Work? University, Industry, Government. Letter 13. Start Your Engineering Career: How to Get a Good Job. Letter 14. Keep Your Engineering Career: How to Make Your Boss Happy. Letter 15. Advance Your Engineering Career: How to Climb Ladders and Cross Bridges. Letter 16. Personal Organization Skills for Engineers: The "Clompass" Strategy. Letter 17. Communication Skills for Engineers: Speaking and Writing Effectively. Letter 18. Leadership Skills for Engineers: How to Lead Others Effectively. Letter 19. From Screws to Space Stations: All Engineering is Important. Letter 20. Have An Engineer's Eye: Watching for Future Technologies. Letter 21. Protect Your Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyrights, and More. Part 5: Aftermath. Letter 22. Engineering Your Retirement: Staying Active in Science and Technology.