Is Conflict Always Bad? The Answer May Surprise You
Most of us, when we think about conflict, consider it a bad thing we should avoid. That’s not exactly true. The right kind of conflict can actually build trust and increase performance in teams! In fact, I would say that one of the best indicators of a team that trusts each other is the amount […]
The Challenges of Achieving Work-Life Balance as a Maintenance Engineers
Finding an equilibrium between our professional and personal lives is a vital ingredient for boosting productivity and improving our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Behind the elegant facilities and seamless production processes are maintenance engineers who guarantee the reliable and safe operation of equipment. They perform their duties under strict regulations and deadlines. I ask […]
7 Mistakes to Avoid As an Engineering Mentor
The mentor/mentee relationship is one that needs to be defined early on to ensure that engineers get what they need out of it. Most of the time it goes great, and everyone is happy. Sometimes though, things go wrong and that’s how relationships get damaged. Because of this, you need to ensure you’re not making the […]
What to Learn and When in Your Engineering Career?
What does getting ready for graduation, starting a new job, preparing to take your FE/PE, or picking a new hobby have in common? They all require some type of game plan to make progress and include direction of where you want things to go. If you don’t know where you are going, any road will […]
How to Get a Group of Engineers to Actually Make Decisions
Engineering, much like other kinds of knowledge work, is fundamentally about making decisions. While factories produce physical devices, engineering teams produce decisions — decisions on how products and services will be designed, implemented, maintained, and retired. Decision-making is at the very core of what we do. It’s surprising, then, that we have so much trouble […]
Cost vs Benefit of Getting Your Master’s in Engineering
In today’s competitive job market, the more experience and education you have, the better. However, if you’re an engineer and wondering whether furthering your education is the right choice, there are a few things you need to consider. Below, we’ll review both the cost and benefit of earning your master’s degree in engineering. As with […]
80% Done Beats Perfect
Have you been in this situation? You’re up against a tight budget and tight timelines on a project. You get the bulk of the work done, but then you just can’t seem to power through to the finish line. You know your work is really good. If only I could find that one missing piece, […]
Meet Cara Green, EIT – The New Co-Host for the Structural Engineering Channel Podcast
The Engineering Management Institute recently invited Cara Green, EIT to become one of the The Structural Engineering Channel podcast. The show serves to bring important industry information, including technical and non-technical news, to practicing structural engineers worldwide. “My number one goal with being the host of the Structural Engineering Channel podcast is to help engineers […]
Developing a Personal Brand as the Jack of All Trades
At some point in your career or during your job search, you must have been asked the famous interview question, “Tell me about yourself.” If you often respond to such questions with “I’m great at solving problems” or “I’m a good leader who others can depend on in all situations,” this article will help you […]
5 Ways to Establish Yourself as an Expert in Your Field
No matter what your particular engineering discipline or industry, there is immense value in establishing yourself as an expert. In both Seth Godin’s “Linchpin” and Cal Newport’s “So Good They Can’t Ignore You,” very compelling cases are made for why someone should strive to become an expert in their field. To be the go-to person for a […]