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TECC 278: The Introverted Engineer: How to Survive in the World of Engineering

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introverted engineerIn this episode, Monica Parkin, AMP, provides some great tips for the introverted engineer to help them excel in their engineering career. One lucky listener will also win a copy of her book. To enter, tell us why you think networking for engineers is important by leaving a comment below.

Engineering Quotes:

introverted engineer
introverted engineer

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Introverted Engineer:

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Professional Engineering Societies Must Do a Better Job Communicating the Benefits They Offer

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I was reminded the other day to investigate my professional memberships — what I wanted to renew and what I wanted to let lapse. You may think I was reminded by an email or letter from the institute, but sadly it wasn’t anything that normal. I was actually reminded while writing my daughter’s name on a toy ID badge. There was enough room for her name and fake academic credentials, but none left for professional affiliations. It left me wondering what I would write myself, as it’s been so long since I wrote them down, and they’re hard to remember since I move around a lot between institutions.

I guess I should state now that my professional affiliation has lapsed. I was a member of a civil engineering specific society, but after I left my full-time job and became a part-time independent scientist/homeschooler/full-time daycare teacher/older neighbor welfare checker, the $245 membership fee seemed too high. Now, to be fair, this organization does provide one year of free membership should you find yourself no longer gainfully employed, which is brilliant. I applied for it and heard nothing back. I assume they were inundated with applications as many people were losing their jobs at that time.

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TECC 270: How Engineers Can Fuel Their Creativity and Find a Creative Outlet

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Creative OutletIn this episode, I talk with Luis Duque, PE, M. ASCE, SEI, a Bridge Engineer at Foothills Bridge Co, and host of the podcast called Engineering Our Future, about the importance of establishing a creative outlet outside of engineering, and how entrepreneurship and volunteering can help you to advance in your career.

Creative Outlet

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Engineers Can Find a Creative Outlet:

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Relationship Capital: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

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When most people think about capital for their business, they think about investors, loans, equity, etc., that is used to pay for day-to-day operations or future growth. Even though every business needs capital to thrive, I would argue that building “relationship capital” is equally as important. Relationship capital is an intangible asset that is built up over time between people. Below I share some important points to consider about building this asset in your business.

Relationships Lay the Foundation for Your Engineering Business

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Importance of Business Development Marketing Plans

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Many things are uncertain as we transition into 2022. COVID-19 is nearly two years old and continues to throw variants at us, which can make planning unpredictable. The Federal Reserve has announced a possible sooner than expected tapering of their bond buying program and interest rates are eventually on the rise. There is no telling what economic climate 2022 will bring. One thing is certain: Your firm needs to develop business as usual. Producing a budget is great, but what about how you are going to actually market and stir up business next year?

Why Create Them?

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TCEP 180: From Employee to Owner of a Civil Engineering Company (In Just 60 Days)

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Civil Engineering CompanyIn this episode, the eighth episode in our Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs Series, I talk to Kevin Riggs, P.E., President & CEO at Cole Design Group, Inc. about growing a civil engineering company and developing your team. He also shares a very interesting story of how he went from an employee to owner of a large firm in just 60 days.

Engineering Quotes:

Civil Engineering Company

Civil Engineering Company

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Kevin:

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Networking Is Hard, but Chatting Is Easy

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I originally moved to America for a job, assuming I probably wouldn’t be staying very long. But after deciding to settle in America and to move on from that job, and in fact that entire career path, I had to think about what I would be doing next and how I would get there. I think we all know by now that the vast majority of the job hunting process is actually networking. The first step of networking is talking to people you know: old school mates, old college friends, people you worked with on a Saturday, or really anyone in your history. But what if your history is 4,620 miles away? Then you have to learn to network from scratch, like I recently did.

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TECC 243: Career Planning and Leadership Progression for Engineering Professionals

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Career PlanningIn this episode, I talk to Mark A. Herschberg, M.Eng, a seasoned executive and cybersecurity expert and author of the book called: “The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You” about the importance of career planning, networking, communication, leadership, and management as an engineer.

Engineering Quotes:

career planning

career planning

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Career Planning and Leadership Progression for Engineering Professionals:

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TGEP 13: Dynamic Compaction: Insight From a Geotechnical Engineer

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In this episode, we talk to Chris Woods, a geotechnical engineer with over 20 years of project-related experience throughout the continental United States, and Vice President for the Virginia-based dynamic compaction specialty contractor, Densification, Inc. about the importance of industry involvement and relationships in construction, transitioning from consultant to a contractor, and the applicability of dynamic compaction.

Engineering Quotes:

Dynamic Compaction

Dynamic Compaction

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Chris Woods:

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Leadership Skills You Can Develop Now

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Leadership Skills

Are you doing what it takes to earn a leadership role at your firm?

A few years ago, I was working with a team of senior project managers (PM). The training program was “From PMs to Business Leaders.” In our first session, I asked them to list the job requirements for a PM and for a business leader. The list for the PMs was quite long. The list for a business leader had just a couple bullets on it.

One PM looked at the lists and said, “If our executive team members were killed in an accident, we wouldn’t even know how to turn off the lights.” Bingo!

How equipped are you to take on a leadership role at your firm? Below are three critical capabilities necessary to become a leader.

1) Network With Intention

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