I'm a I work as a Senior Mechanical Engineer. I mostly handle the main work of the profession, planning, documentation and problem solving.

I work in Engineering. Some coworkers would probably answer differently.

About 11 years at this point.

I'd put the main work of the profession, planning, documentation and problem solving at the top of the list.

My role fills the gap between what needs to happen and getting it done correctly. I notice it more during busy weeks.

Other people build on what I do, so mistakes can travel pretty far. Good work saves everyone time later. It's not something I thought about before I started.

Mornings are normally planning and messages. After that I try to get a decent block of time for the main work of the profession, planning, documentation and problem solving. I learned that pretty quickly.

Yes. Reviews and documentation repeat a lot. The actual subject of the work changes. I notice it more during busy weeks.

Deadlines are just part of it. The stressful ones usually happen when several things land at once. That's been my experience anyway.

This role is mostly in person because of the kind of work I do. Some months are completely different.

The main tools are standard industry software and equipment. That changed a little once I had more experience.

It depends on the task. Some things need three departments; other things I can finish without talking to anyone. My last job handled it differently.

Education-wise, relevant education or training plus experience. I notice it more during busy weeks.

Certifications can help. Experience still matters more once you've been working for a while. Some coworkers would probably answer differently.

Knowing the technical basics matters, but so does being able to explain a problem clearly. That's the part I notice most.

Normal business hours for me, with occasional longer days. That's the part I notice most.

The schedule is set more by the work than by me. That's been my experience anyway.

It's better now than earlier in my career because I've learned when to stop checking messages. That's been pretty consistent for me.

I interact with a lot of people outside my specialty because my work affects theirs. It can be different at other places.

There are several ways to advance. Management is one, but becoming a stronger specialist is another. That's been my experience anyway.

Early career is mostly learning. Later you start owning decisions instead of just tasks. Some months are completely different.

You can move into training, operations, management or a neighboring specialty. It's not something I thought about before I started.

Demand is pretty healthy for people with experience. That's how it works on my team.

Getting good information on time is a constant problem. That's how it works on my team.

The field should still be around. Some entry-level tasks may look very different. It can be different at other places.

Automation will take pieces of the job. The people who know the field well enough to check the automated work will still be needed. It took me a while to get used to that.

Entry-level pay and experienced pay are pretty different. Location also changes it a lot. That changed a little once I had more experience.

Benefits are pretty standard where I work. Bonus depends on the year. My last job handled it differently.

Get comfortable being bad at something for a while. That's how you actually learn it. My last job handled it differently.

A finished project is better than five half-finished projects on a résumé. That matters more than I expected.

I liked the subject in school and the first internship confirmed I liked the work too. It took me a while to get used to that.

The people are probably the best part for me. Some coworkers would probably answer differently.

Repetitive follow-up emails. That changed a little once I had more experience.

A lot of people assume the software/equipment does most of the thinking for you. It doesn't. That matters more than I expected.

Someone patient and consistent usually does well. The exact mix changes from week to week.

Someone who needs every day to be different might get bored with the routine parts. It depends a lot on who you're working with.

How often plans change after work has already started. It can be different at other places.

I'd take one practical class sooner instead of loading up only on academic classes. It took me a while to get used to that.

Career progress is slower than social media makes it look. It depends on the project, though.

I worked on a project that had been stuck for months and helped get it finished. Some months are completely different.

I've become much more comfortable saying 'I don't know yet' and then figuring it out. That's been my experience anyway.

No regular weekends or on-call work in my current position. That matters more than I expected.