Learning Engineering Practice

Chapter 9

Learning the ropes

The first priority for a young seaman in the days of the great sailing ships was to learn the names of the hundreds of different ropes used to raise, lower and control the sails, even to steer the vessel. Hence the term ‘learning the ropes’, describing the first few days and weeks of a life at sea. Of course, there were so many other things to learn as well.

You have an engineering job and your first day has arrived, at last. You have practised your listening and note-taking skills in the last few days, and you have your notebook with you to start your work diary.

You may have experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotions, from intense anticipation and excitement on receiving the phone call confirming your job, ...