1.That the grades do not matter anymore after you get the first job.

At the workplace, what really matters is if you can deliver. You have to show that you can do the work. If you cannot, it won’t matter how well you did in school. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to work hard in your studies. Instead of striving to achieve the perfect grade, you can as well work building connections, learning more valuable life and technical skills.

Internships also matter a lot and they can be a gateway to your getting your first Job.

2.That all course units matter.

During my early undergraduate years, it was easy to neglect some units since at the time I could not see any connection of the said units with my career aspirations. I thought that some units like Electroacoustics and Signals& Communication were not going to be useful to me. I was wrong. Now, part of what I do involves design of Audio Visual and Public Address Systems and knowledge of Acoustics and Signals is very key. I had chosen to pursue heavy current option at my undergraduate course but what I do now cuts across both the two options (Light and Heavy Current).

3.That computer programming was important.

During my undergraduate years, I only did two computer programming units. I did not like any of them by then. Probably it is because of the manner in which they were taught. I managed to do what I could just for the grades. I wish I had known better. I would have taught myself how to program and especially master programming languages such as HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and Python.

4.That interacting with seniors was important.

I could have really learnt a lot by interacting with the senior students. I thought being friends with my peers was enough. The seniors would have helped me understand difficult topics or assist me with useful reading materials.

5.That learning outside the classroom was key.

I would have joined more clubs and societies. I would have attended more conferences. I would have initiated more projects in the labs. I would have utilized every opportunity to expand my class knowledge (Classes become much more interesting and useful once you can relate them to the real world). If a society or club didn’t exist, I would have started one. I realized this in my 5^th year and started a society, JKUAT Philosophical Society, but I guess it was too late.

6.That we weren’t taught the really practical stuff in school – that real schooling begins after you graduate and get to work. For example, we were never taught how to use AutoCAD and Revit MEP for electrical designs, but that is what use every day.

I remember the hours we wasted bemoaning the fact that we were learning a lot of theory, that we will never apply this and that course unit in our lives. What a waste of time. Universities are there to teach you how to think, to show you the possibilities and not the nitty gritties of electrical engineering.

Many of my working friends can attest to that fact. While some lectures go out of their way to try to connect what they teach with the practical world of work, they are the minority. Literally do not expect any better instruction than a lecturer talking over a PowerPoint. If they go above and beyond, then that’s just a bonus.

7.That self-confidence (NOT arrogance) can make up for a lot of inexperience.

As a young person I can contribute greatly as well as have great ideas. I wish I had known that early enough.

8.That campus relationships (boy-girl type) aren’t really a big deal.

Much time was wasted while trying to pursue this. If I had known better, I wouldn’t have bothered much until after graduation. A great deal of maturity comes after finishing school and having to live on your own, and earn your own money. It can be a big total waste of time to try to initiate relationships while still an undergrad student, they rarely work. There are exceptions to this too.

As a bonus to this point, I wish I had learnt to let go sooner. I had a failed business venture, lost internship opportunities. There is no point in holding to the “past” and letting it define our present and future. No matter how it was then, I should have learnt from it and let it go.

9.You can’t know everything.

While it is true that an electrical engineer ought to know something of a wide range of disciplines in order to work well and manage projects, you cannot be an expert in all fields. This is especially true for electrical engineers working in the construction/building services industry.