ENGINEERING YOUR CAREER

Carleton UniversityJanuary 30, 2002

Elza SeregelyiElza Seregelyi & Associates Inc.

“The modern world is on the verge of another leap

in creativity and productivity, but the job is not

going

to be part of tomorrow’s economic reality.” - William Bridges, Fortune, Sept.19, 1994

• Traditional full-time, permanent hiring is declining

• Contract, term and self-employment is on the rise

• Telecommuting becoming more widespread

• Small businesses (including start-ups!) and consulting also major employment areas for engineers

Job vs Employment

The "system"

EMPLOYERS

Technology,information

& knowledge

Economic &Market forces

Government policies(eg. taxation, trade, immigration)

??

YOU & ME

Demographic &Social changes

Competitiveforces

Employers' Reactions

EMPLOYERSTechnology,information

& knowledge

Demographic &Social changes

Competitiveforces

Economic &Market forces

Governmentpolicies

Flattenedorganizations

Multidisciplinaryteams

Focus onskills

Collaboration& externalization

YOU & MEFlexibility& speed

I.T.Solutions

Surviving & Thriving

EMPLOYERS

Flattenedorganizations

Multidisciplinaryteams

Focus onskills

Collaboration& externalization

YOU & ME

Flexibility& speed

I.T.solutions

Lifelonglearning

Enhancedskill set

Careermanagement

Industrywatch

Networking

Employability Skills

Academicskills

Teamworkskills

Personalmanagement

skills

Communicate

Think

Learn

Responsibility

Adaptability

Positiveattitudes

Respectothers

Worktogether

Source:Conference Board of Canada

Academic- Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates- Awards, Scholarships, Cumulative GPA/Average- Continuing education & short courses

Getting Skills & Experience

Work Experience (gains more importance later)- Co-op, internship & summer jobs- Full-time work or self-employment- Volunteer work

Extra-Curricular- Leadership positions (especially if elected) - Active team or club participation- Design competitions, conferences- Community involvement- Some hobbies

A variety of roles and activities is helpful in demonstrating skills, flexibility and initiative.

Lifelong Learning

• We learn in many different ways from many different sources: reading, listening, doing, discussing … friends, colleagues, teachers, print or online material, conferences, other experiences

• Any experience can be a learning opportunity if we are open to it

• We can increase learning through sharing & reflection (engineers should be doers AND thinkers)

• One of the best ways to learn is to teach

What’s it really like in industry?

• Fast-paced, always changing

• High mobility

• Rewards for critical skills, performance, responsibility and risk

• Need for technical expertise plus business acumen

• Pressure for 24/7 services in some areas, but flexible work options do exist

• Culture varies greatly by company and individual manager or leader

What matters most to YOU?

Contract & Consulting Work

• Increased emphasis on ability to “sell yourself” - may need time to establish credibility - personal contacts are essential

• Time management critical for undertaking multiple projects

• Responsible for own benefits, training, vacation time, facilities etc.

• Cashflow may be uneven

• Opportunity for increased personal flexibility

Need to manage personal risk & return

Things I didn’t learn in school…

• The most valuable employee isn’t necessarily the one who knows everything, but the one who can get things done…without stressing out the boss.

• “Performance” is in the eyes of the beholder – be sure you and your manager are looking through the same lens.

• Good relationships are the invisible currency that drives business

• Treat each colleague and customer as if your next job depends on it (quite possibly it will)

Career Management Steps

1.ASSESS

YOURSELF

2.SET YOUR

VISION

3.GATHER

INFORMATION

4.DEVELOPA PLAN

5.TAKE

ACTION

Reality check

Step One

ASSESSYOURSELF

• What have been my best/worst work experiences? Why did I feel this way?

• What are my strengths & weaknesses? Preferences? Key motivators?

• Find out how others perceive you.

Step Two

• Is my personal/work life balanced?

• Where is my current path taking me - am I in control of my career?

• What do I want to be doing in 2, 5, 10 years?

SET YOURVISION

Step Three

GATHERINFORMATION

• Where do I look?

• What questions should I ask?

• Benchmark your progress using both internal & external data (salary surveys, job descriptions)

• Networking - how to and who with?

Step Four

DEVELOPA PLAN

• Map out several alternatives & what you need to do to achieve them (training? experience?)

• Go beyond just your next job or project - what's after that?

• Consider lateral (“developmental”) as well as vertical moves

• Get advice - seek a mentor

Step Five

TAKEACTION

• Talk to your manager, career counsellor, or HR representative

• Get the training/expertise you need

• Prepare your resumé with focus on SKILLS

• Use your contacts; arrange visits, interviews, etc.

BE AWARE OF YOURCHANGING ENVIRONMENT

CONTINUE TO LEARN FOR LIFE

TAKE OWNERSHIPOF YOUR CAREER