Engineering · Perspective
Should engineers also have hands-on skills?
From calculations and code to hands-on work, effective solutions often combine theory and practice.
Does being a good engineer necessarily mean being good at hands-on work? I often ask myself this question.
At university, we learn to model, calculate and program. In the field, we also need to observe installations, read diagrams, ask the right questions and sometimes carry out simple tests.
Practical skills do not replace a sound theoretical foundation. Equally, theory does not always replace the experience of the people who install, operate or maintain equipment.
What matters to me
- Understand how a system works before intervening.
- Read diagrams and communicate effectively with technicians.
- Test hypotheses systematically and document the results.
- Respect qualifications, procedures and the limits of your role.
I believe engineers grow by combining reasoning, experimentation and listening to people in the field. Theory and practice are not competing approaches: they complement each other.