As students, we spend a lot of time focused on coursework, lab work, and exams. Those things matter. But recently, I’ve been wondering: Are there important parts of engineering and the energy industry that we only discover by accident—long after we leave the classroom?
For example, many of us are just beginning to understand what actually drives decisions in the field: safety, economics, risk, sustainability, and teamwork. These are things we hear about, but rarely explore in depth at the student level.
I’ve also noticed how valuable mentorship and professional exposure can be. The first time you speak with someone who’s worked on real projects, you realize how different textbook problems can be from real-world trade-offs.
That leaves me with a few questions I think are worth discussing as students and professionals together:
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What skills or knowledge did you only learn after entering the industry?
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What do you wish students knew earlier about the energy profession?
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How can student chapters—like ours—bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world expectations?
My goal isn’t to criticize education, but to understand how we can prepare better—not just academically, but professionally and mentally—for the journey ahead.
I’d love to hear from both students and professionals. Your experiences could help guide those of us who are still learning, growing, and discovering our paths.
Divine Echeazu
President, SPE Uniport Student Chapter