Task 3: The Importance of Communication Skills for Engineers

“Communication skills are an essential component in the education of

engineering students to facilitate not just students’ education but also to prepare

them for their future careers.”

Marc Riemer, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (2007) 

Communication is the exchange of ideas, information, opinions, and knowledge so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. 

In an effective communication, the sender provides necessary ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data while the receiver needs to actively listen to that.

For example, without effective communication skills, an employee may send emails that lack the necessary information and resulting in team members asking him for more information and eventually more emails are needed. This wastes time and lacks efficiency. With effective communication, the email would contain all necessary information, data, and guidelines to avoid questions and uncertainties, and contribute to a more efficient working process.

Another effective communication skill is active listening. For example, engineers need to understand the user/client’s problems to create a solution or product for them. To have a satisfying outcome, effective communication is required from both the engineers and the clients.

Effective communication is essential in school and the workplace as students and engineers often work in teams on projects. at times working with members of different races, nationalities and gender. Hence it is important to communicate in ways that respect each other’s differences, preventing conflicts that may arise through poor communication. Therefore. Good communication skills are needed for better efficiency in learning and work.

As engineers, we need to be clear and concise to bring an idea across to the team and also the clients, poor communication may confuse the team and result in potential failure.