Advice to Early-Career Engineers
Early on in an engineering career, especially right after leaving college, it is common to not know where to focus your efforts, nor know how to get ahead on your goals. You may be fortunate to land a great job and/or great boss through which you can get the experience to drive your career forward. Even if that is not the case, there is much you can do to get to the work you want.
Your name is your brand.
Be known for excellence, tenacity, and hard work. Many challenges in engineering are overcome by breaking down the problem, finding the right resources, thinking critically, and diligently working to completion. This is the fun part, and likely why you chose engineering.
Double check your work, make sure it is right, be thorough, ask a colleague to review (after you have already refined it). You are the last check on your work quality. Be consistent in delivering your own work and help your colleagues all you can. Being selfless and without ego also goes a long way.
Do stuff that is not your job.
As a high performer, your typical tasks are likely straightforward and easily accomplished. Use that spare time you created to take on something you were not asked to do. The most interesting and differentiating work you can do is not in your job description. In engineering, good documentation is a great way to display this. Did you figure out how to do something new, or develop a new tool? Share what you did so your team can benefit. Now you’re the local “subject matter expert”.
Target your learning.
There is an endless array of topics to learn. Identify what skill set is required for the work you aspire to and gain that knowledge now. Teach yourself those skills or get focused training. The application of those skills is often sooner than you think. Learn from other technical disciplines by asking informed questions and find experienced colleagues to get help developing that new skill.
Mix it up, often.
Many early roles meet a particular need and are not very broad. Taking on a range of new responsibilities helps you identify which enjoyable work to focus on. It also keeps it interesting and fights complacency. Alternately, diving deep into a technical challenge, especially in a skill area you enjoy, can be what pushes your career along. Don’t forget those soft skills: team leadership, presenting, and cross-team communication. Accumulating a well-rounded skill set with areas of specialty can be quite useful. After some time in a role, take a critical look to see if it will get you to your goals. If needed, adjust the role, change companies, or even switch industries.
When you hit the ceiling in your current role. Keep pushing by being diligent, learning, and collaborating without ego. If your current company doesn’t want to grow with you, the next one will love to hear how you owned your work and are being proactive about your goals.
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