As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
I'm curious what skills people think are becoming increasingly critically important, but overlooked, in the maker/mechanics fields today. We see a lot of focus on CAD, CAM, CNC, and 3D printing, which are obviously essential, but what about the softer skills, or the less glamorous technical areas?
Such as, effective troubleshooting and diagnostic skills seem incredibly vital, especially with the increasing complexity of systems and the integration of electronics. It's not enough to just know how to replace a part; understanding the root cause of a failure is crucial. Also, the ability to clearly document yoru work and communicate technical information to others (especially non-technical individuals) is a huge asset that I think is frequently enough undervalued.
What are your thoughts? what skills do you see as being surprisingly critically important, or becoming more important, in the modern maker/mechanics landscape? Are there any specific areas where you see a gap between formal training and real-world needs?