WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS AN ENGINEER

Bob Jordan, P.E.

Definition of success: To always possess skill sets useful to the paying public, be it an employer, your own firm, or as an independent consultant.

Definition of failure: To get laid off and then find yourself unable to get work; to be caught off guard and find yourself "living" on unemployment compensation because you thought that a degree insured an income.

Buyouts, mergers, consolidations, & business failures all lead to layoffs, census reductions, right sizing and whatever else they call it.  Successful engineers avoid these negatives!

These 18 categories have worked for me and I believe they will work for you to be successful as an engineer.

1.   GOALS  Have them written down, be a part of the 3% club.

2.   CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT  Commit to personal and professional CI.

3.   DIVERSITY  Be good at many things, focus on activities that are transferable.

4.   COMMUNICATION  The #1 reason for failure with engineers is lack of such skills.

5.   COMFORT ZONE  Don't live in this house; take risks & responsibility, don't fear failure.

6.   ATTITUDE  Always be loyal & positive - or move on - and don't be negative.

7.   PRIORITIES  Realize you work for your family rather than your company.  Tradeoffs.

8.   RESUMÉ  Keep a current one.  Keep it with you.  Be ready if opportunity arises.

9.   PROJECTS  Know how to run a project using MS Project; understand finance.

10. NETWORK  Keep abreast of companies, fellow engineers and your industry.

11. FUNDAMENTALS  Just like in sports, keep up on the fundamentals of engineering.

12. THINK  Be a problem solver; cover the back door for the dept. leader.

13. PERSPECTIVE  Accept that job security is out and employment security is in.

14. KNOWLEDGE  Recognize the difference between specific and general knowledge.

15. HANDS-ON  Be one who will roll up your sleeves and put your hands on the hardware.

16. INTEGRITY  Be a Boy Scout (remember their motto?).  You lie - you die (career-wise).

17. X+1  Most engineers are average and mediocre - be the opposite and advance.

18. CENTER STAGE  Be involved with real products and be wary of "side teams."

These statements would offend most engineers.  Let them.  What you may not realize is that an employee is a salesman selling time and knowledge to a single customer.  If that customer no longer wants what you're selling, then you are out of an income.  A successful engineer is one that is making a good living at his/her profession, and could do so in any number of places because these other places want him/her.