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Effective Delegation Techniques for Engineering Professionals

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Effective Delegation Techniques for Engineering Professionals is a guest blog by Mary Jane Riccardi

Effective DelegationIn my 10+ years working as a learning and development professional in an engineering consulting firm, there was one skill that I heard frequently was lacking for both project managers and organization managers. That skill was delegation. On the surface, effective delegation sounds pretty easy. However, in reality, it can be very difficult and uncomfortable. Delegation is the assignment of responsibility to another person to carry out a specific activity. [Read more…] about Effective Delegation Techniques for Engineering Professionals

Chief Engineer = Professional Engineer + Manager

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Chief Engineer = Professional Engineer + Manager is a guest blog
by Justin OsborneChief Engineer

Nowadays, the engineering market has become more and more demanding and competitive. It’s not enough to get your degree; you need to constantly learn and develop new skills to stand out from the other engineers and work on exciting projects. Therefore, keep on reading to discover what skills are necessary to become a chief engineer and how to acquire them. [Read more…] about Chief Engineer = Professional Engineer + Manager

What Engineers of the Future Need to Know to Succeed

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What Engineers of the Future Need to Know is a blog post by Matthew K. Loos, PE, LEED AP 

Engineers of the Future

The following is an excerpt from The Business of Engineering: A New Mindset for the Engineer of the Future available only through this Kickstarter Campaign.

Engineers of the future will need to possess skills not commonly taught in engineering schools today. However, we can see that the curricula for a majority of engineering schools are beginning to change. Many schools are starting to adopt alternative learning strategies to engage more and more brighter students who may not have previously chosen engineering as a career path. The engineering schools have started to realize that technology is moving at such a rapid rate that they must prepare students differently than they have in the past.

[Read more…] about What Engineers of the Future Need to Know to Succeed

6 Hacks for Maintaining and Tracking P.E. Licenses

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6 Hacks for Maintaining and Tracking P.E. Licenses is a guest blog
by Christian Haring of Harbor Compliance

Tracking P.E. LicensesEngineers are known for accuracy, attention to detail, and finding elegant solutions to complex problems. Yet when it comes to licensing, most firms lack a functional, comprehensive system to safeguard compliance. Every month, engineering boards report fresh citations for lapsed P.E. licenses. Unfortunately, once the lapse occurs, the damage is done.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to eliminate those risks and manage all aspects of your firm’s licensing efficiently and effectively.

[Read more…] about 6 Hacks for Maintaining and Tracking P.E. Licenses

The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals

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The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals is a guest blog by Jim Hughes

Scheduling SoftwareWith the influx of new technologies, the engineering field has become more dynamic than ever. The expanding role of modern engineers, the increasing volatility of their work, the growing needs for engineering staffing and the rising need for engineering talent – all of these make project management and employee management challenging for engineers. Thankfully, there are tools that can make things easier for engineers, and one of the most essential is scheduling software. [Read more…] about The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals

Tips to Engineer Your Leadership and Coaching Skills for Better Product Development

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This is a guest blog by Nader Mowlaee

Product DevelopmentSo, you have an awesome idea for a new technology for product development. This is the one. It’s going to make you a millionaire. Or so you think. The problem is, 90 percent of new startups fail, and a lack of collaboration is one of the reasons why.

Sure, you want to take the credit and take action and start developing your new product as quickly as possible, however, you can’t do everything yourself. Instead, you need a team of experienced engineers, managers, and stakeholders to help you along the way. And, you’ll need to provide them with leadership, accountability, and coaching. Here’s why: [Read more…] about Tips to Engineer Your Leadership and Coaching Skills for Better Product Development

5 Simple Ways to Have More Meaningful Conversations as an Engineer

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This is a guest blog by Lara Smith

Meaningful Conversations

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”—Eleanor Roosevelt

Who hasn’t heard this famous quote? To have meaningful conversations, we need to raise our levels to those of great minds. To inspire, to leave a trail behind, and to motivate MUST be our motive. Aren’t you charmed by the conversational power of motivational speakers in an instant?

What’s the secret? Even when they are a stranger to us, how are they able to connect, relate, and then inspire us? Oops, I guess I gave you the key before even beginning!

Just to clear your doubts, the listed ways of conversation aren’t just for debaters, speakers, or leaders, but also for those who want to enhance their talks to strengthen their bonds. Engineers have to communicate on a daily basis — with each other, with supervisors, with people in different departments, and even with clients. Knowing how to have meaningful conversations can have an enormously positive effect on your engineering career and life.

Aligning the essential points of meaningful conversations, I want to share the best and most simple ones that every good speaker uses in his personal and professional life: [Read more…] about 5 Simple Ways to Have More Meaningful Conversations as an Engineer

Tips to Advance Your Career as a Mechanical Engineer

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This is a guest blog by Carol Evenson

Engineering Career Tips

Being a successful mechanical engineer goes beyond just being a pro at science and math. Whether an individual has several years of experience as a mechanical engineer or has graduated recently, there are strategies and engineering career tips to take their profession to the next level. These tips can help any professional in the field of mechanical engineering advance their career. [Read more…] about Tips to Advance Your Career as a Mechanical Engineer

Focus on Getting Better at Your Engineering Job Every Day

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Focus on Getting Better at Your Engineering Job Every Day is a guest blog by Holly Welles

Focus Engineering Job

Whether you’re starting an engineering management role for the first time or you’re a more seasoned professional, your energy is likely to wane after a few months of focusing at getting better at your engineering job. You’ve settled in and learned the ropes, after all. It becomes easier to do what needs to get done without pushing yourself to keep advancing your skills, service and expertise.

At this stage, it’s important to keep up your motivation. Engineering management professionals can do themselves, their teams and their clients a huge favor by focusing on getting better at their jobs every day. While it seems like a tall order, continual improvement is actually pretty easy to bake into your everyday routine.

You can focus on improving your priorities, mindset and knowledge with just a little effort each day. Here’s how to get started: [Read more…] about Focus on Getting Better at Your Engineering Job Every Day

How to Make Yourself an Always Demanded Engineering Professional

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How to Make Yourself an Always Demanded Engineering Professional is a guest blog by Jim Hughes

Demanded Engineering Professional
Regardless of your job, industry, or position in the company you work for, it is always important to stay in the competition and be an in-demand professional. By being a demanded engineering professional, you’ll always have options and opportunities to grow and take on bigger roles. If your boss gives you more responsibilities, it is likely because you are doing your job very well and he or she sees you as a skilled and dependable person. Getting your superiors’ attention goes a long way in enhancing your odds of getting a promotion or a salary increase. Though the competition may be tough for you, there are many ways to make yourself a highly demanded engineering professional. Here are some of the most effective ways in increasing your value as a professional. [Read more…] about How to Make Yourself an Always Demanded Engineering Professional