Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING WEBINAR

TECC 142: Choosing Between a Fortune 50 Company and a Small Engineering Firm

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choosing betweenIn this episode, I talk with a listener whose question I previously answered in Episode 131. We talk about the factors that influenced his decision in choosing between a Fortune 50 Company and a Small Engineering Firm, and what he learned from the decision he made.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are the key points discussed in this episode:

  • It’s better to increase your knowledge in your engineering career, than to plateau in a position you might get elsewhere.
  • All the answers for your engineering career are pretty much within your own grasp, you just need to gain clarity around them, maybe with the help of a coach.
  • It is important to think about the knowledge you will obtain, in the engineering company that is going to support you, when choosing between jobs.
  • Don’t just work at a company because it is a top engineering company, work at a company because they have experts in your field,  so you can learn from them and progress in your career.
  • Gather a lot of information from different sources to help you clarify your career goals, which will make it easier to make decisions.
  • There’s not a right or wrong answer when choosing between companies, it’s a case by case basis based on the individual deciding.
  • Pick a niche within your field and develop an expertise in that niche.

More in this episode…

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I will elaborate on what you need to do in order to become successful in your engineering career.

About Jamie Buck

Jamie Buck graduated from the University of Leeds in 2016 with a 1st class master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has one-year work experience spent in the process industry (industrial placement) and is currently working for an independent consultancy company, serving on the design simulation team for the last 4 months.

Our life is the sum total of all the decisions we make every day, and those decisions are determined by our priorities.  – Myles Munroe

Resources and links mentioned in this session include:

Engineering Career TV
Engineering Management Institute Ask Us
TECC 131: Questions and Answers on Engineering Career Challenges and Critical Decisions

This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of FE, PE, or SE exam preparations. Use promo code COACH for 20% discount at PPI2Pass.com/coach.

How do I Choose Between a Fortune 50 Company and a Small Engineering Firm?

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on choosing between a Fortune 50 Company and a Small Engineering Firm.

Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.

  • If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download.

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To your success,

Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

TECC 115: Salary Negotiation for Engineers

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negotiationIn this episode, I interview Josh Doody, a Computer & Electrical Engineer, MBA, author, and consultant, on the very popular topic of salary negotiation.

Engineering Success quotes:

 

negotiation


negotiationHere are the key points on negotiation: [Read more…]

TECC 102: How an Entrepreneurial Mindset Shift Will Bring You Engineering Career Success

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entrepreneurial mindset

In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Joan Graci, a career strategist, success coach, and business growth expert, and they discuss the importance of knowing what you want from a company you might work for and viewing that relationship from the perspective of an entrepreneur. They also dive into the importance of engineering firms strategic plans spelling out deliberately the talent the firm needs to be successful in executing and winning more work.

Engineering Success quotes:

entrepreneurial mindset

entrepreneurial mindset

Here are the key points: [Read more…]

TECC 97: 4 Steps to Being a Rock Star Engineering Job Candidate with HR Expert Amanda King

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engineering companiesIn today’s episode, HR expert Amanda King gives you four steps to being a rock star engineering job candidate.

Here are some key points:

Step 1 | Who you are – Identify your values and your priorities

Make a decision about targeting what engineering companies you want to work for as opposed to what jobs you want to get.

engineering companies [Read more…]

TECC 96: A Discussion on What Engineering Skills and Certifications Are In Demand

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engineering skills

In today’s episode, Joe Lampinen of Kelly Services talks about the trends in the industry and what employers are looking for in the engineering industry in the way of engineering skills and certifications.

Here are some key points:

Trends in hiring:

Hollywood model/talent supply chain management – hiring just for the life of the project or particular purpose.

Open innovation – bringing in minds outside the organization who can contribute or share technical insight or vision on how an engineering problem may be solved.

Recent graduates should expect to change jobs 10x times over the course of their career. [Read more…]

TECC 89: Special Q&A Series from Engineering Management Institute and the WPI MBA Program 1 of 6

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engineering career advice

This podcast episode is the first of a special six episode Q&A Series which airs every first Friday of the month starting December 2015. My guest co-host, Pat Sweet and I answer questions from our listeners asking for engineering career advice.

This Q & A Series is brought to you by WPI’s Foisie School of Business which is ranked the #1 part-time MBA degree in the Northeast according to Business week since 2007. For more information visit business.wpi.edu or call 508-831-4665.

“It is all too easy to speed through life with our eyes focused only on the road ahead. The challenge is scanning the horizon from time to time to determine where we are headed.” – Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek

Here is the summary of the questions and answers we’ve discussed in this session: [Read more…]

TECC 77: A Conversation with an Engineer on How to Press His Company on Advancement – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

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followershipIn this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I will provide coaching to an engineer who is not happy with the rate that he is advancing in his company.

“I hate to be a kicker, I always long for peace, but the wheel that does the squeaking is the one that gets the grease.” – Attributed to American humorist Josh Billings

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I am going to answer two questions from a listener.

Listen to this session and learn some strategies for approaching your boss when you are not advancing as fast as you’d like to, including: [Read more…]

TECC 75: A Discussion With An Engineer Trying To Make A Career Move – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

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engineering careerIn this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, we will focus on the job search process and will interview a member of the Engineering Career Community who is in the process of searching for an engineering job because he has hit a ceiling in his current position.

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” – Chris Grosser

In the Take Action Today segment at the end of the show, I answer a question from one of our listeners.

Listen to this episode and learn how Matt approached his job search process: [Read more…]

TECC 68: Listener Questions Answered – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

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engineering career
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to answer questions from our listeners asking for career advice and help with their resume and job search.

“Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.”–Katherine Whitehorn

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I will give you an actionable tip that you can do today that will make a positive impact on your engineering career and life.

Below are the questions from our listeners followed by a short snippet of the answers. Listen to the show for the complete questions and answers to each question: [Read more…]

TECC 66: Maneuvering Your Engineering Career Through Planned and Unplanned Transitions – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

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engineering career

In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my partner Chris Knutson interviews author James Lehman who gives some good strategies and advice on career transition.

“Switching from one career to another can be scary, but it also can be a thrilling experience. Look at it as an opportunity to really go after what you want to accomplish in life and make a difference in the world. The key is to take small, conscious steps and prepare yourself for a successful transition.” – Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Chris is going to give you a tactic he used that has helped him personally in his transition. James will also share a valuable point that you can exercise to prepare for any career change.

James Lehman is the author of the new book Maneuvering Your Career – 20 Strategies to Prepare You for Voluntary (or Involuntary) Career Transition.  James has either experienced or witnessed just about anything that can happen in the workplace relating to people, and their careers.  He himself has had 20 job transitions, and as a Senior HR Professional, he has spent more than 20 years working in Human Resources.  James also is a Certified Professional Coach, and works with both groups and individuals helping people access their power so they can own their job, and achieve their dreams.

Listen to this session and learn some strategies that will help you if you’re transitioning now, thinking about transitioning, or wanting to be prepared if you have an unforeseen transition: [Read more…]