Stuff You Don't Learn in Engineering School: Skills for Success in the Real World

This is a nice, superficial review of many varied topics that they don't usually teach you in Engineering School (or any other science discipline). While there are a lot of important points made, there is little depth to the topics covered. There are a lot of personal anecdotes, and little grey boxes that rephrases what is already in the text. The author does seem to have a lot of experience beyond engineering where he has acquired skills, but there is little detail on how to do it for your self. It leaves you looking for more. There are list of "suggested readings" at the end of each chapter, but no bibliography or foot notes to indicate the specific reference from which he obtained that particular information. It makes for interesting reading, and does expose the reader to a lot of new topics and skill that one needs to acquire, but thin on how to do it. Still, a worthwhile book to read, especially if you are fresh out of college, and don't know how to interact in the corporate world.This is basically a "Management Primer", and performs that function well. Would recommend it for a read, but this is not be a "reference" book to be kept in your library.

This is a great book for engineers in their senior/4th year of school or engineers who are entering the work force. But, if you've long passed those stages in your life, then its still a beneficial book to read too. He does a good job at explaining how to be better at the so called "soft skills" where our training as engineers is (typically) lacking. He claims that, although schools are great at teaching the science, math, and all around technical side of engineering, they are usually poor at teaching these soft skills (writing, presenting, etc.) There are great tips in the book on how to be more effective at meetings, how to be better at managing your time, relieving stress, etc. Whats great is the chapters are (mostly) unrelated so you can read them in any order that you choose... In fact, he recommends it. I have personally used some of his tips on "being more effective at meetings" and can say that they have helped me be a better at my job. Lastly, he doesn't orient the book toward a specific type of engineering, but to all engineers in general. I would recommend this book to any graduating engineers who are going into the "real world".

Good stuff!

Being someone who works with engineers on a daily basis on their "soft" skills I truly appreciate what Carl has done through this book. He has taken the skills that engineers often struggle with and he has given simple steps to learn them. He defines them, makes it very clear that they can be learned and then gives ways, examples and activities for doing so. I love how the activities forward the action and get you think beyond just reading on the page!In my opinion, all of the skills discussed are critical to a successful career for engineers, however one that I really enjoyed reading about was decision-making. This is one that I feel is very underrated and not talked about much, yet we do it multiple times each day. Carl breaks down this skill and gives an excellent 4 step process for making decisions. I have already started using this process!I highly recommend this book to anyone from college seniors studying engineering to engineering managers. These skills apply to every engineer both in your career and life!

This is a great book for young engineers, I buy a copy for every intern I mentor.

Mr. Selinger is pretty much just stating the obvious. He mentions a certain skill, tells a boring anecdote of why it is important, and then gives you some references to look it up. I expected much more from an author with three engineering degrees and a very long experience in the workforce.

In trying to achieve success, schools concentrate on technical skills while people skills are not covered. This book can open the thinking needed to help success in typical environments.

So far the book was worth getting. As an engineering manager, it gives me a tool to help with training and developing my new engineers; as well as, being a good reference to evaluate my experienced engineers as well.

Yep one star, a single star for Carl Selinger for pointing out that yes, there are bozos out there in engineering schools that don't learn much beyond engineering 102 and don't work in industry afterwards. Myself, I took the view that University teaches the basics in engineering and industry teaches you how to deal with the basics because its the basics where you start anywhere, after that its where your work takes you. Wholly unnecessary book in a dumping exercise by the engineering community in 101 books that prove nightmarish to follow at times. Uno star please.

This is an easy read about all the soft skills that an engineer should master. I liked the organization of the material, laid out in brief chapters going straight to the point with suggested reading provided at the end. During my career, I had the opportunity to work with highly skilled and brilliant engineers. I noticed that not only were they good at the job but they also knew how to deal with people, motivate teams and motivate themselves, make decisions, and be creative. This book introduces the reader to the little tricks that can help bring your career forward. A highly recommended reading.