# Five skills for Civil Engineers

### 1. Ability to read literature

* This is nothing but the ability to read and digest the **college textbooks** which are accepted by the wider civil engineering community. For example, Water resources engineering by Ray K. Linsley
* Read and understand journals like [Géotechnique](https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/toc/jgeot/current), [Cement-and-concrete-Research](https://www.journals.elsevier.com/cement-and-concrete-research)

### 2. Work with modern software

* Calculations are generally done with Spreadsheets, CAD sheets
* Not just do the calculations, we do need to know exactly the formula employed and do hand calculations to check.
* If possible master the art of computer programming

### 3. People dynamics and teach

* We need clarity in our thought and procedures, so that we could delegate the same
* There is a new skill called emotional intelligence, we can learn more about it by reading some articles such as [Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/topic/emotional-intelligence)
* How to teach is an important part of the day to nourish

  * [x] How to fold engineering drawings
  * [x] How to take notes
  * [x] How to decide which option to adopt
  * [x] How not to be lazy

  These are the skills we need to teach people around us without being mean.

### 4. Decisive

* The ability to take decision. Seems easy but takes few years of practice to depending on the task
* For example,
  1. How much approximation is okay
  2. Which work to prioritize
  3. Are the design calculations satisfactory
  4. Submit fast, and update fast with input from reviewers

### 5. Talk less

* Not literally talking less. It means more action.
  * [x] Carefully use the words - "Never", "Perfect", "100%", "hard work", "Wrong"
  * [x] Use these words regularly - "Thank you", "Is this design seem okay?"
  * [x] Add a factor of safety when updating a possible timeline. If the work can be completed in a week, add a safety of a day or two to account for other urgent work.
* Get preliminary info (data), and do some calculations to know what other information is required.
* Do not try to impress people. You do not need to.
* Stay to the point, always keep the final objective of the discussion in mind.