If you’re a student or just starting, it’s good to know that engineering is one of the best and most well-paying careers available. As an engineer, you’ll have the opportunity to design and build anything from small electronics devices to large-scale construction projects. We will discuss three steps on how to become a successful engineer.

Make the Most of Your Time at School

Before you even think about getting a job, it’s important to focus on school. While in engineering school, you’ll have access to some of the best professors and mentors who will be able to guide your career path. Ensure that when attending classes or working on projects with classmates and lab partners, you are always making the most of your time.

In addition to classes and projects, you should also focus on finding internships at local companies so that you can gain valuable experience in engineering before graduating from college or university.

Get Hands-on Experience

One of the best ways to get experience is by working on small design projects or contests. You’ll be able to gain valuable experience in your field while also networking with more experienced engineers who can later help you find a job after school. Some companies even offer paid internships, which would allow you to work and gain experience while also receiving a salary.

Another option is to get an engineering job after you graduate from school. This may not be ideal since it can take some time for new graduates to find their footing in such a competitive industry. However, it would still allow you to make money and gain hands-on experience before looking for another position.

Decide If You Should Work at a Large Company or Small Startup

There are many benefits to working for either large companies or small startups. On the one hand, you may receive more money and access better resources when working for larger corporations like Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc. However, if you’re interested in growing your skillset, working for a small startup could be beneficial since it may offer more opportunities to learn new technologies.

Every situation is different, so you must think about your options before jumping into something too quickly. Once you have some experience under your belt, then you can decide if one of those career paths would suit you better than the other.

This article was originally published on KellyHansard.net