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In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I answer 10 questions related to career and personal development, submitted by The Engineering Career Coach Podcast listeners. In fact, I received so many questions that this will be the first of two shows in this format.
“Asking the right questions takes as much skill as giving the right answers.” – Robert Half
The career-changing tip at the end of the show will provide you with one actionable step that can help you overcome ANY challenge in your engineering career.
Below are the 10 questions that I answer on this show, each followed by a one-sentence snippet of the answer:
Q1: How do you answer a boss who wants you to change a design just because that isn’t the way he or she would have solved the design problem; especially because the contracted amount typically assumes one-time design? – Jeanine, Texas
A1: Sit down with your boss and/or client prior to starting and ask them what they would like to see in the design so that you can incorporate their thoughts and ideas, if they work. (Listen to show for full answer).
Q2: I have worked for the same small civil/structural consulting firm since graduating college, five years ago. I have been contemplating whether or not to try to interview with other companies in a similar field to get more growth and experience. My question is, how long should I stick with my current company, and have I been there too long already? I do enjoy parts of my job and company, but I know the pay/benefits would be better with a larger company. – Bradley, Louisiana
A2: Ask yourself, “Will my current job allow me to reach my goals in a reasonable amount of time?” (Listen to show for full answer).
Helpful resources on this topic:
www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/highersalary
Q3: I work in the power distribution industry, and all of the local municipally owned distribution companies are very closely connected; everyone knows everyone. My challenge is how to quit my current job and move to another one in the same industry without burning any bridges/relationships with current managers/colleagues, as I will still be coming across my colleagues in one way or another when I transition into my new company. In addition, as soon as I submit an application to another company, there will be talks amongst the managers of my future company and my current company and thus friction between us. – Vicky, Canada
A3: Be open, transparent, and completely honest with your existing employer and prospective employers about the reasons you are seeking a new opportunity. (Listen to show for full answer).
Q4: When you were starting out as a young engineer, what was it that led you to your career now (job skills, mentors, luck, other opportunities, training in an area/skill, etc.)?
A4: I realized what my passion was and followed it. (Listen to show for full answer).
Helpful resources on this topic:
www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/birthday
Q5: How would an engineer stay competitive in the future job market? – Calvin
A5: Develop all of your non-technical skills (i.e., communication, networking, etc.), and also stay up to date on all of the latest technological trends in your industry, including the latest computer software programs. (Listen to show for full answer).
Q6:I have about a million questions regarding where I can go with my future career, be it engineering related or otherwise. Some background: I’m 22 and I’ve just recently completed my second year of mechanical engineering with the environmental option at UWindsor. This summer, I’ve been interning at one of the big three automotive companies in the area, and already I can tell that the corporate environment isn’t the place for me. What I’d like to do is hopefully start my own firm at my goal age of 28 years old; the only problem is that I am clueless as to how to go about prospecting the market to determine if the services I plan on offering are even in demand. – Stephen, Ontario, Canada
A6: When considering starting an engineering company, do research and determine what engineering services are needed and how you can provide them in way that is better than other firms that already do it. (Listen to show for full answer).
Helpful resources on this topic:
www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/matteit
Q7:Furthermore, I’d like to know the best way to go about getting clients. Is simply networking enough? I’ve been talking to as many people as I can at my current job, but it doesn’t seem like that is opening up many doors in terms of clients/prospects. Any information you have that could help me to put myself in the best position possible six years from now prior to starting out on my own venture would be welcomed. – Stephen, Ontario, Canada
A7: You must build strong relationships in your field, both by attending in-person events and using online tools like LinkedIn. (Listen to show for full answer).
Helpful resources on this topic:
www.Toastmasters.org
www.LinkedIn.com
Eng.com LinkedIn Article on Creating a Powerful LinkedIn Profile
How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (Affiliate Link)
Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi (Affiliate Link)
Q8:What are the real things which I must learn in order to get placed in a core electronics company? – Roshan, Bikaner, India
A8: To get a job with a specific company in any industry, you must know the company and the industry inside and out. (Listen to show for full answer).
Q9: Working as engineer, I have no issue with developing technical skills, but when I flip to my social skills, I am challenged. In other words, the more I explore IQ (intelligence quotient), the less I gain EQ (emotional quotient) in present time. How I am to balance the use of IQ and EQ at the same time? – David, Australia
A9: Do things that you will be uncomfortable with emotionally, like joining a professional association and volunteering for a leadership role. (Listen to show for full answer).
Helpful resources on this topic:
www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/ei
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ, by Daniel Goleman (Affiliate Link)
Q10: Despite the fact that I am going to be an engineer in the next year, I don’t know how to speak in front of many people, and because of this I don’t know how to be a good presenter. Can you help me out? – Prabhash, India
A10: Join Toastmasters International; speak as much as possible at the meetings, and then practice at home as much as possible. (Listen to show for full answer).
Helpful resources on this topic:
www.Toastmasters.org
Engineering Management Institute Public Speaking Guide
Speak to Win: How to Present with Power in Any Situation, by Brian Tracy
Listen to the show for full, in-depth answers to all these questions.
Resources and links mentioned in this session include:
FREE Gift for TECC Listeners
Special Event for Engineers in San Diego
Click Here for Session #23 Transcription
Did you find this session useful? Please leave comments below describing how so or what would have made it more useful for you.
To your success,
Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
