How to Answer: What have you done to further your own professional development in the past 5 years?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Engineer job interview.
25. What have you done to further your own professional development in the past 5 years?
How to Answer
Professional development requirements will vary depending on the discipline of engineering. In some high-liability disciplines, like Civil Engineering, licensure is required for many positions. In positions which require a high level of technical knowledge, such as Finite Element Analysis engineering, a Master's degree or even PhD may be to your advantage. When answering this question, tell the interviewer what you have recently done to meet the requirements of the job you are applying for and what you are planning to do to advance your career. The example answer is for a Biomedical Engineer interested in pursuing a position which requires 3-5 years of previous experience.
Written by Allison Atkinson on February 1st, 2021
Answer Example
"My undergraduate degree was in Mechanical Engineering, so I've started working part time on my Master's in Biomedical Engineering, specifically orthopedic biomechanics. I also dedicate some time each week to reading relevant journal articles or watching webinars. I've found that can help bridge my knowledge gap between academic research and what I am actually doing day to day."
Written by Allison Atkinson on February 1st, 2021