Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING WEBINAR

How to Hire and Manage Millennials

By

This is a guest blog by Allison Hail

MillennialsWith millennials making up a large part of the workforce, it’s fast becoming necessary for all employers to know how to manage them. Millennials who have just graduated are well aware of the growing opportunities in other countries. As a result, they are likely to consider moving abroad; one study suggests that 59% of millennials in the United States would consider moving to a foreign country for a job, compared to 35% of the general population, and this statistic is even higher in countries such as France and the Netherlands. There are a few things to keep in mind that will make hiring and managing millennials a smooth process:

[Read more…]

Why Engineers Might Consider Opportunities in Construction Fields

By

This is a guest blog by Holly Welles

Construction Fields

The automotive, aeronautical and electronics industries are all popular among engineering graduates, however, as a recent graduate, it’s essential to explore the full spectrum of possibilities. While you likely have preferences and priorities, you shouldn’t limit yourself by your expectations. There’s no set path you need to follow.

With this in mind, you should consider seeking opportunities within the construction field. It’s an excellent field for engineers, and there’s always demand for professionals with a specific set of skills and abilities. More than that, the necessity of construction ensures its value far into the future.

Presently, you might be curious about what engineering in construction fields entails. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the subject, touching on three reasons why you should research the industry and review your options. Consider the following…

[Read more…]

How to Manage Multiple Projects at the Same Time

By

How to Manage Multiple Projects at the Same Time is a guest blog by Alexandra Reay

Manage Multiple ProjectsIn today’s world, it’s crucial to be able to manage multiple projects at the same time. New technologies are quickly developing, while companies are expanding their market reach. Businesses aim to minimize their costs and maximize their efficiency by hiring fewer, higher-standard employees. Multitasking has become the latest trend once again. This process can be challenging.

Here are some tips from my experience on how to manage multiple projects at the same time:

[Read more…]

4 Ways to Mentor an Overconfident Employee

By

4 Ways to Mentor an Overconfident Employee is a guest post by Adela BelinOverconfident Employee

Confident employees have everything going for them. They are valuable assets for companies owing to their self-motivated and positive nature. They exhibit leadership qualities, aren’t afraid to take risks and tend to be extremely reliable. But what happens when that ‘confidence’ turns into arrogance? How do you deal with a cocky team member who gets onto everyone’s nerves because they are so full of themselves? Turning a blind eye over someone’s toxic attitude will not bring about any change. As the team leader, it is your responsibility to mentor that overconfident employee before their behavior affects your team’s productivity.  

Here are 4 ways to mentor an overconfident employee and approach this sensitive situation:

[Read more…]

How Not to Lose Focus and Concentration During Working Long Hours

By

How Not to Lose Focus and Concentration During Working Long Hours is a guest post by Kurt WalkerWorking Long Hours

Focus and concentration are very important factors that effective professionals always prioritize when working. It is necessary for getting the work done. However, with the increasing development in technology coupled with other factors taking place around the world, it has become so easy to lose concentration while working on a task, simply because we are now surrounded by various pleasant distractions. This piece outlines some essential tips that you can use to maintain focus while working long hours.

[Read more…]

Focus on Your Planning to Be Productive in Your Engineering Career

By

Productive

Most engineers I know are interested in achieving a relatively high level of productivity in their professional and work activities.  Since most are working long hours, they aren’t interested in spending time on none-value added activities.  Those who are successful in optimizing their productive time, do so through focusing on developing a plan of action.

Productivity is associated with creating value.  While you can feel productive attending project meetings, reviewing designs, or obtaining closure on a long-standing issue, it may or may not result in value beyond making you feel productive.  In my mind, productivity (a.k.a. creating value) comes only in achieving movement towards the accomplishment of a defined goal.

With this concept in mind, let’s unpack how to get from focus to productivity in your engineering career.

[Read more…]

The Best New Year’s Career Resolutions for Engineers

By

This is a guest post by Nader Mowlaee
New Year's Career Resolutions

Working in highly complex and diverse technology fields, being a successful engineer requires the willingness to train extensively and the flexibility to continually upgrade present skill sets by acquiring new sets of knowledge & industry insights, just to stay up to speed with market changes. This takes a big toll on many engineers and requires planning and preparation so that you can successfully hit your career goals within the 12-month period you have in 2019. With the New Year almost upon us, it is time to take inventory of your progress to date, and of your professional career goals as well as to create a new set of goals. That said, the following is an overview of three of the best New Year’s career resolutions for engineers in 2019.

Set New Goals – An Unattainable Job

[Read more…]

Climb Every Mountain: Great Song, Bad Strategy

By

This is a guest post by Christian Haring of Harbor Compliance

If you’re like me, when it comes to things like growing your business and expanding your capabilities, your go-to position is, “Yes, we can!” It’s part of the sales personality: we think positive. Yet too much of that can-do, climb-every-mountain spirit can sap your teams, and eventually you’ll see the evidence in numbers like sales, utilization rates, and overhead burden.

One of the best ways to improve your numbers is to focus your firm’s finite time and resources on what you do best. Knowing what to outsource, and when, is a key part of that equation for firms of all sizes.

Many firms we speak to are unaware that they can outsource business licensing and entity management. In fact, firms that outsource these functions to us routinely enjoy returns of 30X and up. How? Let me walk you through the factors and how they relate to AEC firms.

[Read more…]

TECC 192: Why Engineers Quit Managers Not Companies

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Quit ManagersIn this episode, I talk with Rich Archbold, senior engineering director at Intercom. We talk about an article he wrote called: “People leave managers, not companies. Don’t let that manager be you.”

Engineering Quotes:

Quit Managers

Quit Managers
Here are some of the key points discussed about why engineers quit managers and not companies:

[Read more…]

80/20 Principle as One of the Most Effective Ways to Increase Your Productivity

By

80/20 Principle as One of the Most Effective Ways to
Increase Your Productivity is a guest post by Samantha R. Gilbert80/20 Principle

In 1895, Vilfredo Pareto, the Italian economist, became aware that people could be divided into two groups. The first one was the “vital few” that made up the top 20% regarding influence and money, and the second referred to the “trivial many” that made up the bottom 80% of the population. Then, he realized that all economic management reflected this principle, that 20% of the population controlled 80% of the Italian capital in that period. Pareto asserted that this principle could be implemented everywhere. Practically, the rule suggests that 20% of your activities will account for 80% of your outcomes.  Therefore, this means you can apply this rule to enhance your productivity and achieve your goals in less time. Just follow these five steps and learn how to apply the 80/20 principle in your life.

80/20 Principle
[Read more…]