• IIT Gandhi Nagar has launched an innovative project called ‘Isaac Project’ to keep engineering students engaged
• This is the time engineering students can enroll in online courses/classes/webinars
• Several companies are offering free tools to improve technical skills, check Mastercam Core Classes for Free

Recently, IIT Gandhi Nagar has launched an innovative project called ‘Isaac Project’ to keep engineering students engaged in utilizing the lockdown time in productive ways, inspired by the precedent set by one of the greatest scientists Sir Isaac Newton. 350 years ago Newton – then a 22 years old student of Trinity College, Cambridge – was similarly sent home by his college because of the Great Plague of London in 1665. It was during this year that Newton developed some of his most profound discoveries, including early calculus, as well his theories of optics and gravity.    

So, what this precedent teaches us is we should also make the most out of any given situation, more so when the global outbreak break of coronavirus has pushed everyone home or to work-from-home regime. Discoveries apart, taking a cue from Newton’s book engineers and technocrats can utilize this time in self-discovery. Hold on. We are not getting on the spiritual lines.

While some may find breather in this sudden break during the lockdown, some may find it extremely difficult to acclimatize in.   

Here we will talk about some new things which engineers and technocrats should do during the lockdown period to best utilize this time.

Review your goals

Thanks to our education system, thousands of run-of-the-mill engineers and technocrats come out every year in our country. While most of them do not have a set target or goal where they want to be after a certain period as they are often not clear why they are in it. Probably you have your goals set. If your answer is no, then define where you would like to be as an engineer in the medium and long-term. If you already have your goal in place, it’s a precious time to review your goal and accordingly prepare yourself for the future. 

Develop technical skills 

Engineering is a field where one’s learning and training never ceases to be, even after years of professional experience. To keep up in a rapidly changing world and make vale addition to your job, you should focus on continuous professional development. What’s better a time than this when you can learn a few new things which will give you a new boost? You should acquire new skills with enthusiasm such as data modeling, probability and statics, and system design while brushing up even computer science fundamentals 

While there is this set of technical skills, there are some soft skills as well which engineers should improve for their career development.

Learn the basics of leadership and management

Taking on responsibility and preparing to eventually lead a team is a valued skill for engineers. Leadership and management skills are extremely important for team management. Leadership skills can be learned via training, observation, and practice. While the practical part is best leaned on the job, it’s time to get the theoretical training through online courses.

Focus on Soft Skills 

Engineers must gain the ability to give excellent client presentations and write clear-cut, non-ambiguous reports. Engineers need to practice communication skills if they want to excel at interactions with clients, colleagues, teammates, and management. It can be a great time to improve communication skills for excellent team working and presentation skills.

Enroll in online courses/classes/webinars

The good news is many companies and institutes these days provide online courses and classes for technical skills and soft skills development which you can avail at your finger tips on your devices. Besides, there are customized courses for even shop floor engineers on machine operations.

To adjust to the disruptions and inconveniences caused by COVID-19, Mastercam is offering free core courses from home, which will benefit many who are finding themselves working from home or spending more time on our computers and devices. Click to know more

This crisis period may have made an impact on the overall economic activities. But it will soon be over with our grit and determination. Meanwhile, you should embrace this change for good and brace up for the future in the post corona period.