Engineering Management Institute

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3 Ways Engineers Can Build Self-Confidence

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This is a guest post by Tiffani Teachey

Build Self-ConfidenceEngineers often face challenges that can test their self-confidence. Whether it’s dealing with difficult problems or working with challenging team members, there are plenty of situations that can knock an engineer’s confidence down. However, there are three specific ways engineers can use to build self-confidence and come out on top: learning new skills, seeking feedback, and practicing assertiveness. In this blog post, we’ll explore each of these methods in detail and provide tips on how to put them into practice. By following these tips, you’ll be able to boost your self-confidence and become a more successful engineer. 

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Working With Consulting Engineers From the Owner’s Perspective – Part 2

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This is a guest post by Jon Earle, PE, ENV SP

Part 2 – Proposal Review and Selection Process

In Part 2 of this 5-part blog series, I will be discussing the proposal review and selection process. In my opinion, the most important aspects in proposal review and selection are having the key stakeholders on the selection team and clear selection criteria for the successful firm or firms to be chosen.

For example, in selecting firms to work under a municipal general services agreement, it is important to include all departments that may have projects or interact with these firms. The key stakeholders may include not only the Town Engineer and Public Works Director, but also staff from parks, recreation, library, economic development, or any other department heads with projects in the capital improvement program. In addition, these varying perspectives will also further identify key strengths and weaknesses of the firms under consideration that might be overlooked by more technical staff. 

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Become a Feedback Superstar

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Remember when you were in school and you turned in a paper that you had worked hard on and were proud of? Then you got the paper back.

Right at the top in bright red ink — or was it blood? — your teacher or professor had scrawled, “See me!” What did that message, always written in red, do to you?

What you got was a harsh version of feedback — one that’s painful, bewildering, embarrassing, and leaving you at a loss for words.

The fact that a red pen was used just made it worse. Studies have found that the color red is associated with “warning, prohibition, caution, anger, embarrassment and being wrong.”

Giving feedback should not produce those emotions.

Why Give Feedback

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How to Support Women in Your Workplace

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 This is a guest blog by Holly Welles

Support WomenIn the engineering industry, only 13% of professionals are women. Moreover, only 30% of women who earned a bachelor’s in engineering remain in the field for more than 20 years. Often, workplace culture, a lack of appreciation for their skills, and gender discrimination, in general, drive them away from the industry. This is a detriment to the engineering world as the industry’s workplace diversity dwindles. In addition, it negatively impacts female engineers. 

Engineering is a swiftly growing industry that promises excellent pay, good benefits, and the chance to make a difference in the world. From green building to virtual reality, the industry continues to shift and transform with technology. Women deserve as much of a chance to establish a fulfilling career in this exciting field. However, if female engineers are to persist in their field, they need the support of their employers and coworkers. Here is how you can support women in your workplace:

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TECC 197: How to Confidently Communicate In-Person and Online for Engineers with Molly McPherson

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

In this episode, I talk with consultant and keynote speaker Molly McPherson, M.S., APR.  We outline strategies to communicate more confidently and clearly, and we also discuss how you can become more effective on social media, specifically LinkedIn. These two topics can have a massively positive impact on your professional development efforts.

Engineering Quotes:

Confidently Communicate

Confidently Communicate

Here are some of the key points discussed about communicating confidently in-person and online:

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How Learning Can Help Engineers to Eliminate Insecurities

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How Learning Can Help Engineers to Eliminate Insecurities
is a guest post by Tiffany Rowe

Eliminate Insecurities

The prototypical engineer is analytical, logical, accurate, communicative, creative, and, most importantly, confident. However, that’s not to say that a person must be confident to become an engineer. In fact, many of the traits seemingly intrinsic in engineering students are actually acquired during the course of their educations – confidence included. Several studies have found that education is imperative for bolstering self-esteem and to eliminate insecurities.

Here are a few ways education has been shown to eliminate insecurities and build confidence in students – especially engineering students:

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TCEP 063: Challenging Aspects of Construction Engineering with Ralph Tulis

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Construction Engineering

In episode 63 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Ralph Tulis, a licensed professional engineer about the challenging aspects of construction engineering.

Here are some of the questions I ask Ralph on Construction Engineering:

  • What can engineers do to get a better handle on the construction side of things?
  • What does delegated design responsibility mean?
  • Do engineers ever really retire (jokingly)?
  • What do means & methods mean?

Engineering Quotes

Construction Engineering
Construction Engineering

Construction Engineering

Here are some key points discussed in this episode:

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Mastering Tough Conversations with your Boss – Engineering Career TV Ep. 11

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Q: How do I have tough conversations with my boss about over commitment?

Welcome to Episode #10 of Engineering Career TV. The topic for this episode is Mastering Tough Conversations with your Boss.

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

You can submit questions for the show by clicking here.

Let’s jump into today’s topic, Mastering Tough Conversations with your Boss, which is based on a question from Stan, who asks the following: [Read more…] about Mastering Tough Conversations with your Boss – Engineering Career TV Ep. 11