Engineering Management Institute

Confidence

Breaking Down Impostor Syndrome for Ambitious Engineers

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This is a guest post by Jeff Perry, MBA

Impostor Syndrome

“It’s not what you are that holds you back, it’s what you think you are not.” ~ Denis Waitley 

Impostor syndrome is a common struggle. We all have it — at least to some degree. And those who don’t think they have it at all are probably just too prideful to recognize or admit it. 

It’s this feeling like we don’t belong. Even when we’re doing good work, there is this lingering fear that perhaps one day someone with a clipboard is going to come up to us and say, “I’m sorry, it appears we’ve made a mistake — you need to go now.” 

But how do we manage it so it doesn’t keep us down, hold us back, and limit our success? Let’s talk about that! 

Name It to Tame It: An Example 

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3 Essential Skills for Engineers to Become Proficient at Selling

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This is a guest post by Tiffani Teachey

Become Proficient at SellingMany engineers are incredibly smart, skilled people who can figure out how things work and fix them when they break down. A well-spoken engineer can sell their products or services like nobody’s business. It doesn’t matter if they are pitching an idea or defending the work they’ve done on behalf of their company in front of clients and investors. Unfortunately, not all engineers know how to sell themselves or their ideas well enough for them to succeed in business today. I want to help change that with these three essential sales skills engineers should have if they want their product/idea/service bought by consumers today and to become proficient at selling. 

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Don’t Fall off Mt. Stupid

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This is a guest post by Jacob Valentien, PE 

Don’t Fall off Mt. Stupid

In my previous article, I spent some time writing about the four major components for optimizing your career development. I wanted this article to focus on the Experience and Continual Learning components. Have you ever heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect? Well, don’t feel bad, most folks have never heard of it, although I am willing to guess that if you have been in this industry for any time at all, you have experienced multiple points along the curve. The Dunning-Kruger effect is best summarized via a graph (see Figure 1) that maps the relationship between confidence and expertise.

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Confidence = Decisiveness + Commitment + Resourcefulness

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This is a guest blog by Jen Bunk, Ph.D.

ConfidenceIn my last article, I talked about calling forth your confidence. We all have confidence — it’s simply hard to find it sometimes. Especially amidst the chaos, negativity, scarcity, and all of the other problems that we face on a daily basis.

But that’s the whole game, isn’t it?

To be able to shine with confidence despite massive challenges!

That’s how you win as a technical leader.

That’s how you win at the game of life.

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TCEP 146: What Does Hostage Negotiation Have to Do With Consulting Engineers?

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Hostage Negotiation

In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Dan Oblinger about hostage negotiation. Dan explains how hostage negotiation fits into consulting engineering and also provides five specific ways that engineering firms should look at to evaluate their negotiation and communication abilities.

Engineering Quotes:

Hostage Negotiation

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dan:

  • With the current situation in the United States, is it a challenge for you to go to work every day?
  • Can you talk to us about how you got into consulting with engineers and how you went to some AE companies and pitched the idea of negotiation to them?
  • What should civil engineering consultants look for to evaluate their negotiation and communication abilities?
  • Do you have a framework in your day-to-day hostage negotiations?
  • Are there specific strategies that you use in your negotiations?
  • Is there a challenging situation that you dealt with that you are open to sharing with our listeners?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Negotiation Culture in Your Civil Engineering Practice:

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Who Knows What You Know? – Your Voice Matters!

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Your Voice Matters is a guest blog by Mike Burns

Voice MattersLast month we discussed Continuous Learning, growing together as teachers and students, deepening our commitment to sustained personal and professional growth. As our COVID-19 response continues to mature, the AEC industry is rapidly advancing new ways of communicating, learning, and delivering projects. As we Zoom from meeting to meeting (cheesy pun intended), it is easy to feel connected without truly connecting. Yet this moment — this critical period of recovery — necessitates sustained empathetic listening in order to empower a diverse and inclusive chorus of critical voices. Infrastructure improvements will be a vital component of our pending economic recovery. We must concurrently fast track “shovel-ready” projects and restructure our capital improvement plans, setting the stage for a wave of critical infrastructure projects. Your voice matters, and is particularly critical today as we make difficult choices, pivoting to and accelerating new solutions. I hope that this embarrassing, yet rewarding story from my career inspires you to assert yourself in this moment for your community and our world.

Voice Matters

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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 Effectively

In 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 CEO

In 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 Professional

In 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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