Generation on the Rise

INNOVATION IS THE DRIVING FORCE of engineering. And innovators—the bold thinkers, the relentless problem solvers, and the daring dreamers—are the ones who lead the way to solving today’s challenges. With this sentiment in mind, we’ve scoped out 25 early career engineers from different backgrounds who are leading the way in their respective fields. These innovators shared how their life experiences—from early beginnings to career milestones and challenges—influenced their industry impacts.

Some common threads emerged. LEGOs and K’NEX were popular childhood toys. Math and physics were often favorite subjects in school. Most women mentioned facing gender bias in their careers. Some engineers covered communication issues among their peers. And every university professor emphasized that their greatest pride was their students.

Although eager to share career advice (having a solid network in the engineering field is key), these professionals often shied away from sharing personal information, prefacing thoughts with, “I’m not sure if I should say this.” These high achievers even shared some pet peeves, such as meeting tardiness, lazy colleagues, mansplaining, and wasted talent.

This inaugural Watch List spotlights 25 engineers who are starting business ventures, leading teams to success, advocating for engineering in the public eye, pursuing greatness in corporate settings, or discovering the next breakthroughs in research. Read on to discover more about this group’s accomplishments and learn why these individuals will be the ones to propel engineering into the future.