Unit 1 Task 3: The Importance of communication skills for engineers

“I contend that we (engineers) are undervalued because of our widespread inability to explain what we do to the general public (and why it is so important). It is one of the hardest goals to accomplish, to be able to boil down difficult concepts into a short and easily understood presentation or elevator pitch.”

Marybeth Miceli, President, Miceli Infrastructure Consulting, USA (2011)

Marybeth Miceli, President of Miceli Infrastructure Consulting from the USA argues that as Engineers, they are severely underestimated since it is difficult for the general public to understand what engineers do and why are they significant. She had also included that the ability to break down complicated concepts into simple explanations or straightforward descriptions is one of the most challenging goals to achieve.