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Engineers are known for having certain traits. They are often viewed as: Curious; Logical; Able to concentrate; Respectful of intelligence; Demanding high ethical standards; Reserved and having poor social skills; Desiring structure and order; Somewhat dogmatic in their beliefs; Perfectionists; Dislike...
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There are a lot of variables that go into determining whether we’ll successfully bring our goals and aspirations into existence. However, I only count one of them as the quintessential element that must be present to ensure success: a good attitude. Definitely having sound technical skills, knowing...
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Regardless of how you want to slice it, your appearance plays a part in how you are received by those looking at you. I realize this may be a taboo topic, but I’ll venture into it nonetheless. In your business, the business of life or career, how you present yourself will directly impact what you...
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By Bernie Berson, P.E., F.NSPE While mentoring is widely recognized as a valuable career asset for mentees and mentors alike, there are several potentially negative factors that can diminish or actually destroy the relationship. Normally, the problematic issues will arise early in the relationship. Both...
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Unless you’re self-employed, you have a boss. Perhaps no other relationship is more important to get right than the one you hold with your boss. This is the person who will give you tasks, give you direction, and in the end give you performance ratings. This is also the person who can give you...
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An effective skill in any undertaking, well-honed e-mail etiquette is vitally important to the engineer. By the nature of our work, we communicate with many people every day. It’s a necessity for proceeding forward on a design, securing approval for a phase of work from a boss or client, winning...
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Entering into a mentoring relationship, like embarking on a new goal or learning a new skill, requires realistic expectations. Too often the relationship starts without any expectations being established, leading to frustration on both the part of the mentor and the mentee. When this happens, the relationship...
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By Christian Knutson, P.E. When you enter into a mentoring relationship you do so for self-improvement and to get another point of view. As part of the relationship, you and your mentor will analyze your thinking, planning, and activities as a means to improve your performance and move you closer to...
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By Christian Knutson, P.E. Throughout our engineering career we will be faced with obstacles. Challenges that seem to loom very large and appear to keep us from reaching what we’ve identified as our desired goal. It might be completion of our undergraduate degree, obtaining our PE, or working on...
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By Christian Knutson, P.E. Growing up, I was continually reminded by parents and teachers that I was provided with two ears and one mouth-better that I listen twice as much as I speak. Later as I entered college and then the Air Force, I realized that this wisdom from my elders had deeper meaning than...
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By Christian Knutson, P.E. A great strategic planning tool used in business for analyzing an environment for a new project is the SWOT analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Business planners know that in order for a project to be successful, they need to scope the playing field...
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Here are some helpful suggestions edited from Career Success in Engineering by NSPE Past President Bernard Berson, P.E., F.NSPE, and Douglas Benner P.E., F.NSPE. Develop a formal career plan Know your strengths and weaknesses Show enthusiasm for your work Meet your deadlines Deliver on your promises...
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I have held a number of leadership positions throughout my career. As is the case for all leaders, during those opportunities I attempted to inspire, motivate, and otherwise influence the listening audience, I frequently relied upon quotes from famous persons, as well as selected literary passages. One...
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If anyone even slightly doubts that each of us can positively affect the life and career of a mentee, then this post should restore a bit of faith. Mentoring can give a mentee more than just new-found knowledge. One of the members of NSPE’s Mentoring Task Force recently learned that one of his...
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Everyone loves a good story. From our earliest days as children, to the movie we watched last night, our desire to be entertained and engrossed in a good story has not changed. Why? Because a good story fires our imagination, makes us feel fulfilled, and can even drive initiative and change in our thoughts...