Engineering profiles - Seun Coker

What advice would you give to a young person who is considering engineering at university or as a career?

A successful career in engineering develops several technical and soft skills; however, the demand for computer skills is ever-increasing due to advances in technology. Computer skills are becoming essential for many engineering disciplines. Thus, I encourage anyone thinking of a career in engineering to develop their programming and coding skills.

Do you think that engineering is inclusive, regardless of your background, gender or nationality? 

Inclusivity and diversity are important in engineering since it requires skills such as creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Therefore, there is a growing awareness to create an inclusive and diverse environment within the engineering community

How did you first become interested in engineering? What inspired you?  

My passion for airplanes inspired me to pursue a career in engineering. Growing up, I wondered how these big, heavy planes could elegantly glide in the sky. The more I learned about them, the more curious I got. This curiosity led me to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

How does your discipline affect people people’s lives and the world around us?  

Engineering has a profound impact on various aspects of society, technology, and the environment. I contribute to the development of new software and algorithms that help to develop faster scientific and engineering techniques to solve engineering problems. 

What challenges might you face as an engineer? 

Based on my experiences, a successful career as an engineer will require good communication and teamwork skills. Engineering projects can be very large and require several people from different teams, backgrounds, and nationalities. Thus, it is important to effectively and efficiently work and communicate with other people to achieve the project goals

Do you have to want to ‘take stuff apart’ in order to be an engineer? 

Although the desire to “take stuff apart” is a characteristic of some engineers, it is not a prerequisite for a successful career in engineering. Engineering encompasses a wide range of disciplines that involve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This can involve tasks such as writing a report, attending meetings, and drawing.