Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING TRAINING

Confidence

Be Wary of the Echo Chamber

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 This is a guest blog by Tim Austin, PE

Echo ChamberA few years ago, I attended a conference sponsored by the Florida Engineering Society. The keynote speaker was retired astronaut Story Musgrave. Story is a powerful speaker, and I tremendously enjoyed the many tales of his unparalleled career. One particular story that he shared struck a chord.    

Story was the astronaut who worked on the Hubble Telescope during Servicing Mission 1 to fit the corrective lens. He shared that, in his preparations, he consulted with the world-renowned figure skater, Dorothy Hamill. Many wondered why an astronaut would consult with a figure skater regarding the repairs to the telescope.  

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TCEP 136: How to Network Effectively as a Civil Engineer — Even as an Introvert

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Network EffectivelyIn episode 136 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I am going to give you three actions that you can use to network effectively and build relationships. These networking tips will help you improve your relationship-building skills and give your civil engineering career a jumpstart, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert.

Network Effectively

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Networking:

  • According to the dictionary, the word “introvert” refers to a shy person. Many engineers are labeled as introverts because they are analytical, technical, and deal with details.
  • As engineers progress in their careers, their managers often expect them to build relationships and bring in new business to the firm. When you can’t do that, it can become a barrier to advancement in your career.
  • Networking should be thought of as building relationships. If you take on that mindset, it will be easier to become a successful networker and excel in your career.

Here Are Three Specifics Actions You Can Take to Network Effectively:

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TCEP 134: A Young Female Civil Engineering CEO Shares Her Story

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Civil Engineering CEOIn this episode, I talk with Áine O’Dwyer, PE, Principal and CEO at Enovate Engineering, about various civil engineering career topics including the challenges she faced when working in the construction industry, starting a new firm, and how she achieved success despite these challenges at such a young age to become a civil engineering CEO.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Áine:

  • What made you interested in civil engineering?
  • What skillsets helped you to get into management at such a young age?
  • How did you rise through the ranks and start your own company?
  • What is it that drives you daily?
  • How did you develop your confidence as a civil engineering CEO?
  • How can civil engineering professionals find opportunities in their careers?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

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TCEP 128: Becoming a Well Rounded Civil Engineering Professional

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Well Rounded Civil Engineering ProfessionalIn episode 128 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, which is our third episode in our Women in Civil Engineering series, I visit with Michelle Briehof, P.E. who is a project manager at Maser Consulting.

Michelle talks about some of the non-technical aspects and actions you can take as a civil engineering professional to build confidence and equip yourself as a well rounded civil engineering professional. She walks us through her career journey, from the beginning of her career up to where she is now and the experiences that have helped her to attain her position. She also tells us about the Maser Women’s Organization and how it has helped all employees at Maser, men and women, to build confidence and get the necessary exposure needed to become well-rounded engineering professionals.

Engineering Quotes:

Well Rounded Civil Engineering Professional

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Michelle:

  • Tell us more about the Maser Women’s Organization
  • How has the Maser Women’s Organization impacted you?
  • How does being a mother impact your career?
  • Tell us about your involvement in the different disciplines at your firm?
  • Have you found that developing knowledge in different civil engineering disciplines has been helpful in your efforts?
  • How important is it to have confidence as a manager?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Becoming a Well Rounded Civil Engineering Professional:

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TECC 159: The Importance of Confidence in Communicating as a Professional Engineer

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Confidence in Communicating In this episode, I am going to talk to you about the importance of confidence in communicating as a professional engineer. I will specifically be concentrating on three situations from three recent coaching interactions that I had with engineers.

Engineering Quotes:

Confidence in Communicating

Here are the key points discussed on the importance of confidence in communicating as a professional engineer:

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Asking for a Raise at Work with Confidence – Engineering Career TV Ep. 1

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Welcome to Episode #1 of Engineering Career TV. The topic for this episode is Asking for a Raise at Work with Confidence.

I will spend most of the episodes answering questions that have been submitted from engineers around the world on how to rapidly advance their careers and lives the life they want to live.

You can submit questions for the show by clicking here.

Let’s jump into today’s topic which is Asking for a Raise at Work with Confidence?

The topic is based on a question from Kevin, a recent graduate and asks the following: [Read more…] about Asking for a Raise at Work with Confidence – Engineering Career TV Ep. 1