North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

Developing a career to its fullest potential may be the greatest project an engineer will ever undertake!

your way tosuccess

engineer

today’s topics

key factors to success

steps to a bright future

great reasons to get licensed

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Identifying the key factors of success is very important to your long-term planning. But first you

have to ask yourself, what exactly is a successful

engineering career anyway?

but first, what is success ?

Success may be an abstract concept. It’s like trying to locate the limits of the universe. It is

endless and impossible, and constantly changes. There are

three distinct contexts for “success”.

Organizational – rising to the top of your company

Professional – Profession has values that define success (such as service to others)Self Value – you alone

decide success based on your own values

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what is success ?

North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

Key factors

to successfor

Engineers

99

1 technical skills

communication skills

leadership qualitiesmanagement ability

ambition

hard work

commitment

judgment

teamwork

integrity

service

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1 technical skillsThe knowledge and experience suitable to the demands of the task.

• Technical skills are the very foundation upon which your career is built. You must master these skills to succeed.

• Rapid technological change means your engineering education must constantly be updated. Think of your education as Version 1.0. Success will require updates!

• Engineering education today is often a broad brushed approach. Do you have the confidence in your technical skills? Should you pursue an advanced degree?

• Starting out, should you diversify or specialize?

• How do employers measure your competence right out of school? GPA? Summer Internships? Co-op? Activities?

judgment2

• Engineers solve problems, and part of problem solving is having “good judgment” (sixth sense).

• If you don’t have it, developing it can be tough. The key to improving your judgment is to PAY ATTENTION. Observe what you see. File it away for future reference.

• Judgment is an intuitive process based on knowledge and experience that gets you within 90% of the right answer. It improves with confidence and successful outcomes.

• Good judgment is serious stuff to an engineer. This isn’t “poetry writing”. Our decisions affect peoples lives!

• “Computer Garbage In = Computer Garbage Out”!

The application of knowledge and experience in determining the optimal solution to a given problem.

communication skills3

Ability to convey information with clarity and effectiveness.

• Single greatest factor for advancement today is good communication skills. Initially - good basic skills. Eventually - superior communication skills.

• Once a good engineering solution is developed, it must be successfully communicated or “sold” (i.e. client, boss).

• Good communication skills have four distinct categories: 1) Speaking (35%), 2) Writing (9%), 3) Reading & Graphics (16%), 4) Listening (40%).

• Listening is the most important communication skill. Learn to ask effective questions and then LISTEN!

• Don’t overlook writing and public speaking classes!

4 leadership qualities

Ability to motivate others to move with enthusiasm towards a goal.

• Many engineers don’t realize it, but leadership ability is very important to their chosen profession and success. You must gain people’s respect, trust and confidence.

• Big difference between a manager and a leader. Good manager controls “efficiency” (doing things right). Good leader controls “effectiveness” (doing the right things). As engineers, you must learn to practice both!

• In the most basic terms, a leader is someone whom you choose to follow. A leader has vision, they listen, have positive regard for their followers, and are trusted.

• “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by J.C. Maxwell

management ability5

Organize resources and coordinate execution, timely and cost effective

• One key to successful management is planning, and then updating the plan as things progress. Most projects fail due to “lack of planning”.

• 5 Step Management Cycle – 1) Planning, 2) Organizing, 3) Staffing, 4) Execution, and 5) Feedback

• A “good” manager identifies, develops, and utilizes resources. A “successful” manager also manages people, money, materials and time. #1 - People Management

• Management track versus technical track? Which will you choose? True success can be achieved in both! Don’t choose a career in management for the wrong reasons.

teamwork6To cooperate with others in reaching a common goal in a manner that is satisfying or acceptable to the group

• Your formal engineering education may have promoted individual thinking and individual work, not teamwork.

• As a young engineer, it is likely that you will be expected to serve as a member of a team. Learning teamwork is critical to your eventual success within a Company.

• Engineering requires more teamwork than any other profession. A large engineering project can easily involve over 100 people. No one works in a vacuum anymore!

• On an engineering team, members listen to one another and learn from one another. Synthesize and follow the best ideas that are formulated by the engineering team.

integrity7Fidelity to worthy principles

• An engineer has a fiduciary responsibility. The public trusts their judgment. As an engineer, you must balance the public’s interest with that of your company and client.

• Clients don’t always know best. Don’t become a “yes person”. One day your “integrity” will be challenged!

• Look for a professional environment that encourages and nourishes integrity. If it doesn’t, then get out!

• Engineers have their own “Code of Ethics”– Hold paramount the health, safety and welfare

of the public– Perform services only in their area of

competence– Act in professional matters as faithful agents or

trustees

service8Volunteer work for the benefit of others

• Your first priority is to see that you correctly do the job you were hired to do. By the time you’re a mid-level engineer, your service work will be considered important!

• Volunteer work is a no-risk opportunity to gain the skills you will need, such as management, communication, leadership and group dynamics.

• As an engineer, protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public, you have the intellectual and technical skills to make a difference. Volunteer!

• Community and Professional service is one of the top traits of successful top executives. Service earns respect!

ambition/commitment9Seeking new challenges beyond those successfully completed

• If you’re going to be successful, you have to want to be successful. You have to be willing to work for it. No one is going to walk up to you and hand you the presidency!

• You don’t have to be a workaholic, but you have to do what is necessary to get the job done.

• Don’t go seeking a 60 hour work-week, but avoid being constrained by the 40 hour work-week. Don’t head out the door at 4:59 PM every day!

• Most successful engineers agree that their job takes more than 40 hours per week. Learn to work smart!

• To be a successful engineer, you have to enjoy it!

1 technical skills

communication skills

leadership qualitiesmanagement ability

ambition

hard work

commitment

judgment

teamwork

integrity

service

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Steps to a Brighter Future44

FE exam

4 years experience

PE exam

graduation

graduation

FE Exam4 years

experience

PE Exam

Great Reasonsto Get

Licensed

55North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

A person that is licensed to

practice engineering in

a Particular State

or US Territory after meeting

all requirements of

the State Law.

but first, what is a P.E. ?

To practice in multiple States, a person must be licensed in each State in which he or she wishes to practice. In ND,

you need a P.E. to be a person in “responsible

charge” of other engineers.

Multiple States

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career development

compensation

prestigeauthority

flexibility

Employers are impressed with engineers who have their P.E. Licensure enhances your stature, shows commitment to the profession & demonstrates heightened leadership & management skills. Licensure is a necessity for rising to

increased levels of authority and responsibility. Studies show that P.E.’s earn higher pay. Having your P.E. allows expanded opportunities beyond a company structure – as an independent consultant for example.

P.E.’s are respected by the public & are seen in the same light as licensed professionals in other fields.

P.E.’s are also held in high esteem by their peers within the engineering community.

Only P.E.’s can sign & seal engineering drawings, be in responsible charge of a firm in private practice or

serve as a fully qualified expert witness.

Having a P.E. opens up your career options. You can become a specialist, or establish your own business. The P.E. license

allows you to go as far as your initiative & talent will take you.

Great Reasonsto Get

Licensed55

average starting salaries ?

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

Chem

ical

Civi

l

Com

pute

r

Elec

trical

Mec

hani

cal

$5

1,2

54

$40

,84

8

$53

,54

6

$50

,38

7

$48

,65

4

starting salaries by region ?

$42,000

$44,000

$46,000

$48,000

$50,000

$52,000

$54,000

$56,000

Mid

-Atla

ntic

Mid

wes

t

Nor

thea

st

Nor

thwes

t

Sout

h

Sout

heas

t

Wes

t

$4

6,7

61

$4

9,9

92

$4

6,5

64

$4

6,1

06

$5

2,0

57

$5

4,3

12

$4

9,5

74

$55,578

Non-P.E.

P.E.

$79,109

North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

compensation for P.E.’s ?

$57,234

DesignEngineer

ProjectManager

$72,700

DepartmentHead

$84,775

Owner/Principl

e

$112,223

North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

compensation by position ?

North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

your way tosuccess

engineerNorth Dakota Society of Professional Engineershttp://www.ndspe.org