Reliability Engineering is a critical field that ensures the safety, functionality, and longevity of complex systems, but what is the best pathway to becoming a great Reliability Engineer. Is it through study or a more practical approach that gives you and your organisation the best results.

Both pathways have their advantages and disadvantages, but which is better or is it a combination of the two that is most effective. Either way, a strong foundation in reliability engineering concepts combined with real-world experience provides a Reliability Engineer with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve complex problems
and ensure the reliable operation of critical systems.

Drawing on personal view points, we will investigate what it means to be a reliability engineer and contrast and compare pathways to becoming one.