Newcomer in the chemical industry, major in process engineering; inter-disciplinary collaboration
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I’m just a beginner in chemical engineering design, specializing in process engineering. I feel that I know very little about other areas of expertise required in this field, and it’s difficult for me to communicate with those from other specialties; I don’t understand their knowledge well, and it’s hard for me to express my own ideas clearly. For example, in a project related to compressors, when it came to determining whether piloting was necessary for the structure, I was immediately confused – I had no experience with this, nor did I have any theoretical knowledge on the subject. At that moment I wondered why piloting was needed Do we have to fight? In what situations can it be skipped? There are many similar issues; I would like to know how to improve the situation. I ask for advice from those who are more experienced in the group – what books should I read or how can I gain experience through my work?
It requires a process; whenever one encounters something they don’t know, they focus on learning that particular part. Also, find a project and work through it from start to finish, reading it several times, to see what other fields are doing. Also, buy a related book to learn systematically*.
Ultimately, it’s still about qualifications and experience – things that require long-term and diligent accumulation. Learn whatever is necessary to strengthen one’s skills, as there is never an end to learning. Strive to master one’s own field of expertise while also gaining knowledge in other related fields.
I majored in chemical engineering; I just started working in my current job and I’m quite confused – everything I learned seems useless. It will get better over time
It depends on the type of compressor and the bearing capacity of the foundation: small, portable compressors do not require piling, while larger ones do
Don’t worry too much; you’re just learning a skill. If you could do everything, then what would people from other fields do? There are specialized areas of expertise. Of course, it’s good to know a bit about the relevant knowledge
Setting aside the professional aspects for now, from what you’ve said it seems that you don’t have any hands-on work experience, nor do you have a mentor to guide you; or perhaps you went straight into a management role. Such problems are very common in engineering, and what you’re facing is just the tip of the iceberg. So, try to consult your superiors or more experienced colleagues more often. Don’t make decisions when you’re unsure, as wrong decisions can cause serious problems. It’s better to start by doing routine tasks like cleaning and getting familiar with the work processes. Wait until you’ve accumulated enough experience before taking on more responsibilities – trying to do these things too early can lead to harm.
You are right; engineering is inherently a task that requires collaboration among multiple specialties.