I'm a weird guy who actually buys job related text books and will read them. So yes, keeping on top of new trends, ideas, and processes help a lot as an engineer. I'm able to solve problems that others cannot because I know how to ask the right questions, use the right vocabulary in google searches, and where to look in my books for more information. I don't need to memorized everything just get a general idea of where to find more information when I need it.