MANANSALA, ADDI M.

CPE–2101

CLASS ACTIVITY

1. What will I do once I become a computer engineer?

As a computer engineer, you will have a wide range of career options. You could work in
software development, hardware design, network engineering, or even research and development. The
specific path you choose will depend on your interests and the opportunities available to you. As soon
as I obtain a degree in computer engineering, naturally, the first step I would take is to look for a
starting job that should serve as a launchpad to my professional career. As a certified computer
engineering graduate, there are plenty of relevant career paths to choose from, and it is crucial for me
to decide wisely based on my capabilities, expertise, and interests.

Knowledge in computer engineering opens the doors to a diverse range of job opportunities.
Now, what does a computer engineer do and what fields are covered by this profession? Computer
engineers are primarily responsible for handling computers in terms of design and maintenance, and
their workload often involves a focus in designing hardware, though they are also associated with
tasks such as developing software, research, network engineering, and quality testing. Computer
engineers make up a large portion of the modern technological industry, which is currently thriving
due to the increasing relevance of computers and other gadgets with every passing year, as they
become commodities in various sectors, such as education, healthcare, and governance, just to name a
few. The demand for tech-related jobs will undoubtedly rise in the near future, thus making a career in
such fields viable and even competitive.

However, it's worth noting that while it is certainly advantageous to have many options to
choose from, ultimately, when the time comes to actually apply for a job, I will have to select just one
in particular. When I get to that point, I will reflect on my strengths and weaknesses, as well as my
interests, so that I can make the most out of my professional life. In addition, I won't focus too much
on the job's difficulty, because challenges are inevitable in any workspace.

Another point that I would consider is the salary. I plan on maximizing my financial stability
by choosing the highest-paying jobs I can take, although of course, one step at a time, acquiring
experiences first while steadily climbing up in the process. Realistically, I cannot expect my earliest
jobs to be highly profitable, because I would still be a beginner by that point.
 Being accepted in a job application is also not guaranteed, because employers have differing
standards and demands depending on the company’s objectives. However, in spite of the uncertainties,
I still intend to do my best when it comes to applying, by actually taking the time to prepare myself in
every way I can. This means that not only will I be making use of engineering-related skills once I
transition into the real world, but I will also hone my communication and interpersonal skills which
would prove to be useful not just in applying but even in the workplace as well. Careers in technology
are no exceptions with regards to prominently involving collaborations with other people. A computer
engineer must be capable of conveying their ideas to the world surrounding them in addition to having
the necessary skills to turn these ideas into reality.

Speaking of collaboration, it should also be noted that having a large network of connections
in and out of the field would be greatly beneficial to any professional, especially towards those who
are aiming high with the career paths they choose. Establishing connections with other people can
open the doors to endless opportunities which may include rare, once-in-a-lifetime chances to advance
your career that most people wouldn’t get the chance to experience. As the industry expands to
become more relevant and demanding, the competition also intensifies not just between companies
aiming to take on the best staff members, but also between employees who intend to get promotions
incentivized by benefits such as increased salaries or recognition. Taking these factors into
consideration, I can say that creating a network of connections is among my major plans in relation to
my professional life, and I plan on getting started with establishing connections even before I
graduate.

Finally, once I actually get a job, I plan on giving my best performance and actively playing a
role in contributing to the overall productivity and growth of the company that I will work for. I don’t
intend to stay in the same place for long though, and I will ensure that I can advance my career as fast
as realistically possible by making the most of what I have – connections, resources, and skills – all
the while maintaining a healthy mindset and lifestyle to prevent myself from burning out too fast.
Progress is supposed to be gradual – it will naturally take time, but as long as I believe in myself just
as I would want others to, I will live to see the payoff of my efforts with my very own eyes.
2. What skills should I have learned at the end of my program?

By the time I complete my computer engineering course, I would have inevitably acquired the
necessary skills required for my prospective career paths. Since computer engineers can enter a wide
range of potential jobs, they are bound to learn a set of skills in different subjects that are all relevant
in one way or another. These skills are not necessarily limited to being specifically focused on
technology, because such capabilities are not the only requirements to handle a job in the industry. To
be successful, one must be knowledgeable on both the concepts and how to appropriately apply them.
In addition, careers in technology are no exceptions with regards to prominently involving
collaborations with other people. Thus, a computer engineer must be capable of conveying their ideas
to the world surrounding them.

Technical skills are a major part of what makes someone a professional in their chosen field.
These involve the skills that are prominently used as you actually perform your job. In computer
engineering, the technical skills involved all revolve around managing computers and
computer-related tools and technologies. Knowledge in handling both hardware and software are
essential when it comes to computer engineering.

When it comes to software-related matters, a fundamental skill expected among computer

engineers, and by extension, professionals in the tech industry, is the ability to code using
programming languages, of which there are plenty to explore, each with their own unique features
providing users with benefits or difficulties depending on their preference, abilities, and clients’
requirements. Thus, it would be advantageous to know more than just one language, because there is
no certainty about which language will be used in a given job. Examples include Java, C, C#, C++,
and Python. Regardless of which language you choose, being able to code is a basic necessity in
developing software not just for computers, but for other platforms as well, ranging from mobile
phones to gaming consoles. Creating programs vary in purpose – some are made for entertainment,
others are for consumers’ utility. Nevertheless, profit is usually expected from releasing these
programs, and many companies thrive from the success of these kinds of products. With the rise of
computing technology, what used to be a niche has now become commonplace in society’s everyday
living, and thus, the demand also continually increases as a result. Engaging in software development
as a business is becoming more viable every year as everyone becomes more reliant on technology.
There is money to be made in this industry, and companies compete to release the most innovative
programs that aim to draw the largest population of potential consumers.

Coding only comprises the basics in tech-related careers. Codes, by nature, are bound to have
flaws especially when the program is complex. When not addressed properly, the errors found in
codes could potentially have disastrous consequences to the quality of the software. The essence of
debugging comes in such situations; the ability to solve problems that may arise in the program is a
vital part of software development. Quality is essential in any kind of product, because it is through
this that companies can gain the trust of their customers and attract the attention of the general public.

On the other side, if the focus is on developing hardware instead, it is crucial for a computer
engineer to know the fundamentals in electrical engineering, because computers (and gadgets in
general) are electronic machines composed of components. It is crucial to know how these
components, which include the processors and drives, relate to one another to create a device that is
capable of reading data and running software. In an actual job setting, one must also know how to
make use of the different tools involved in engineering hardware, not just on a conceptual level but in
terms of application as well.

Going back to quality as mentioned earlier, presentation is also an important aspect of any
product, as it is the main method to garner interest. It’s one thing to have a smoothly-working
program; but it takes additional care and commitment to have a meticulous and engaging design that
is appealing and memorable to potential users. Just to provide an example, two programs that run
well, a user is naturally expected to stick with the one that looks cleaner and more organized. In
addition, users are also known for appreciating intricately-placed attention to detail whenever they
notice them. As they acknowledge the extra effort provided by the developers, they are more inclined
to support them in the long run. In a saturated industry, it is crucial for companies to stand out and
show their consumers why they deserve their support.

In order to make a high-quality product, production has to be just as smooth-sailing. A good

output requires cooperation between team members. While it is true that each person in a team has
their own unique ideas, a clear and unified vision for the final product is important to ensure
coherence. In a collaborative setting, ideas should come together as small pieces of a bigger picture,
instead of clashing with one another. Proper leadership and management skills are necessary so that
the team can work harmoniously and avoid conflicts in the workplace. In order to competently handle
projects, everyone in the team should possess interpersonal skills to maintain a pleasant atmosphere
on the job. Also, as they say, “poor communication kills.” Misunderstandings between team members
or different divisions of a company definitely affect the quality of outputs; at best, manageable; at
worst, damaging to the reputation. It is also important to build good relationships with clients and
customers. To build a loyal base of supportive consumers, companies must let them know that they
are open to criticism and are willing to improve by listening to their suggestions. Engaging with the
community requires adept social skills. Plenty of companies are infamous for apparently being out of
touch; proving that your company is an exception can help in boosting goodwill and in turn, assist in
its growth.

3. What are the qualities of an engineer I should have 3 to 5 years after my graduation?

When can you say that you are stuck in a dead-end job? To me, it is when you are stuck with
working in the same place for years without making any progress, whether it’s in your skills, position,
or salary. As someone who wants to avoid stagnation, the qualities I aspire to have mainly revolve
around having the willingness to continually improve in terms of my technical and social skills, all
while staying adaptive to all the changes occurring around me.

How would I improve my technical skills? I plan on doing so by continuing to learn. Learning
does not stop once you complete your education; otherwise, there’s no improvement to be expected
once you have actually entered your career. I will master the skills that I already have, and whenever I
can, I will learn new skills that I am not yet familiar with. Increasing my skill set will certainly help
me with adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the industry. Technology evolves at a rapid rate;
plenty of hardware tends to become outdated within just a few years at most. As I move from one job
to another, it would be easier for me to adjust with my increasingly expanding knowledge. In addition,
with my increased proficiency, I would also at least struggle less with regards to advancing forward in
my career. Finally, having more capabilities can pave the way for more opportunities to choose from.
With more choices, I could maximize my chances of securing high-paying or even prestigious jobs
that I can be proud to take.

Innovativeness is the one trait that can be used to describe the most influential products of any
field. The most successful and well-known gadgets ever released in the market achieved such heights
because they presented consumers with features that are unique to them at the time of their launch.
The personal computer itself is an example of an innovative product with how it revolutionized the
world’s way of communication. Starting out as something relatively rare, it eventually became a
household commodity used on a daily basis. Computers have proven to be profitable to the companies
manufacturing them precisely because of how useful they are to society at large. Thus, I can say that
having a creative and innovative mind is a skill that I would personally want to hone because it would
be of huge help in boosting my career, in addition to providing a chance for me to leave a mark that
would be remembered in the future.

There is no certainty that everything will go smoothly though, and when it comes to
developing products, whether hardware or software, problems and challenges will inevitably arise at
some point. Every tech company experiences issues with their products. The difference between those
who succeed lies with the way they manage their problems. Problems can easily lead into a chaotic
state in the workplace, and it takes special skills to keep everything in order in stressful situations. In
response to these possibilities, I plan on making sure that I am skilled in terms of communication, as
well as problem-solving. By problem-solving, I am referring to both the idea of managing conflicts
among my co-workers and resolving issues that are found in the projects that I will be working on.
Also, proper communication is the key to resolving plenty of misunderstandings, no matter how small
or severe the situation might be. After all, even the smallest misunderstandings can provide the most
disastrous effects.

Finally, the last skill I want to master pertains to my ability to lead others. In pursuing my
dreams, I have to be knowledgeable in not just the processes that I will do in the jobs that I will take,
but also in communicating effectively with others. If I want to stand out and become one of the most
successful in the field that I will choose, I have to actively take actions that would influence the
trajectory of the companies that I will be working for, so that I may gain recognition from my peers
and superiors. In doing so, I can advance to higher positions within the shortest possible timeframes
and make a name for myself.