TECC 024: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 10 More Answers for 10 More Questions from 10 More Engineers

In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I answer 10 more questions related to career and personal development, submitted by The Engineering Career Coach Podcast listeners. If you missed Session 23, click here to listen to the first 10 questions I answered. “Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint, and begin to build.” - Robert Collier The career-changing tip at the end of the show will provide you with a simple action that you can take to try to overcome any challenge or solve any problem in your career. Below are the 10 questions that I answer on this show, each followed by a one-sentence snippet of the answer: Q1: What is the worth of an advanced degree compared to obtaining certificates or developing/improving on skills? - Calvin A1: Your decision to obtain a credential, earn an advanced degree, or develop a certain skill should be based totally on your goals and which avenue will help you to obtain them more quickly. Helpful resources on this topic: www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/credentialsarekey Q2: If you have a desire to be your own boss, when is it time to go out on your own? – Greg, North Carolina A2: I recommend that you go out on your own when the amount of risk is at a level that you and your family can handle; this is obviously different for everyone and depends on your current living situation. Helpful resources on this topic: www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/highersalary Q3: My question to you is that I am kind of an introvert by nature, so how can I overcome this introvert-ness so that I can have a lot more interactions with people confidently? – Ritwick, India A3: The way to become more comfortable interacting with people is to interact more with people. The best way to overcome any fear is to do what you fear. Helpful resources on this topic: www.Toastmasters.org Q4: I’m a seasoned PE myself, albeit an EE, with a solid 13 years of experience since I left college; I’m also in the Reserves as an officer, so I have leadership experience. I’ve had my own business since 2006, though it has been more of a hobby than an actual business. While I do make just over $100k and work a 40-hour work week for my employer, I find that every year they want more of my freedom with less compensation. When I brought this up to my supervisor, he said that’s just the way it is, and has stalled on any promotion or raise above 2%. Since I’m in a dead-end job, I need my engineering business to get off the ground. What do you see as the most valuable method and resource for really launching an engineering business? A4: The most important aspect of growing any business is to provide a tremendous amount of value for your clients and prospective clients. Helpful resources on this topic: www.EngineeringCareerCoach/session1 www.engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/bdskills How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (Affiliate Link) Q5: I am an electrical engineer and I currently work for the Department of Defense; I'm currently located in Oklahoma. Lately, however, I've been inspired by the growing need for the utilization of renewable energy in our country as well as the world. I'm very passionate about this issue and I'd like to apply my talents to this field in California. I already have a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering, and I'm not necessarily in a position to be able to go back and get another one. I have a doubly difficult road ahead since I'd like to relocate and change my career path. I thoroughly enjoy problem solving and I'm willing to learn absolutely anything to accomplish my goal. Any advice? – Doug, Oklahoma