Perhaps the Research and Development (R&D) department is the most flourishing one in the recent period, which has become a center of interest for new graduates and companies, and confusing outsiders who keep wondering “what is going on there?” This department, which is responsible for producing new products while fulfilling the organizational needs of companies, manages all procedures related to development. It conducts the development and supervision stages of all new ideas continuously from planning to implementation.
The general principle of R&D, which has a very exciting and dynamic working environment, can be defined as developing fast, inexpensive and high quality products. Considering that almost every company now has a Research and Development department and all R&D department employees compete with each other, which makes it quite a dynamic environment as can be easily surmised. A product or service you have developed may have been already patented or even manufactured. Likewise, an idea that was accepted by everyone at the time may not be that interesting anymore because of new technological developments or trends.
Even though R&D may cooperate with all departments, it can follow up more closely with the marketing department. Its main duties include reporting the whole process it has developed, supervising its projects and analyzing its results, revising the plans according to the existing budget and strategies. If you are an engineering graduate and eager to work in the R&D department, there are some qualities you should consider for yourself. You are supposed to be open to continuous innovation and new ideas, avoid concentrating on a fixed idea, but can develop the idea to the fullest, you must have no problem in taking effective decisions and taking initiative and must be suitable for teamwork.
This department, which has recently attracted great interest from industrial, chemistry, mathematics and materials-metallurgy engineers, will undoubtedly continue pioneering in many sectors. If you want to follow the R&D path in your career, we recommend that you make it a habit to push your limits and go beyond your stereotypes!