Momentum - September 2021 - 37

CAREER PATh
1. KNOW YOUR ROLE
You will be given a job description-tasks you
will be expected to perform, and often will
include a phrase such as " other assignments as
needed. " Make sure you know what success
looks like-not to you, but to those who will be
evaluating you-and how it will be measured.
2. ACCEPT YOUR ROLE
Companies have periodic performance reviews.
Ask to see the performance evaluation form.
Major areas for evaluation will be (1) your
technical ability evidenced by your work, (2)
oral and written communications, and (3) how
well you fit into the company culture, including
relationships with coworkers.
When you approach your supervisors with a
difficult decision, always rank your options so
they can see how you are thinking. Ask for their
council and (any) other options, striving to
understand both " what " and " why. " In so doing,
you are not asking them to make your decision,
but are seeking wisdom and experience.
3. GO BEYOND YOUR ROLE
To make a distinctive positive impression, go
beyond your supervisors' expectations. Look for
ways you can help others, go the extra mile,
improve productivity, and be more efficient-
without being told.
4. LEARN PRACTICAL SKILLS
When I coordinated our Senior Seminar course,
I invited recent graduates to speak about topics
they wished they knew but did not learn in
school. The top two were (1) how to run a
meeting, and (2) email and telephone etiquette.
Ask effective leaders for advice on how to do
things in your company. It could be as simple as
" what to do " and " what not to do. " When
sending company emails know who should be
included on the " cc " list. Be cautious of using
the " blind copy; " you don't want a reputation of
" talking behind someone's back. "
5. DEVELOP GOOD
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
There will always be reports and presentations
to make. That's one reason SAE requires them
for collegiate competitions-it's the real world.
Engineers like the creative aspects of designing,
MOMENTUM
building, and testing new things more than documenting what was done.
During my first job after my MSME degree, the company put all new hires
through one-week technical writing and a one-week oral presentation
courses. Learn how to write and present accurate, concise technical reports,
saying what you need to say in fewer words. Everyone's time is valuable to
them-if your reports are too long, it will be a poor reflection on you.
6. BE ALL THERE
Your generation has amazing technology. When I was in school, we each
had a slide rule-no calculator, personal computer, or cell phone. You have
grown up with these and more. The cell phone has had a significant
impact on society. Cell phones bring together people who are miles apart
while isolating those in the same room. Do not allow it to distract you in a
meeting or while talking with someone. Use company time for company
matters.
7. LISTEN WELL
In conversations and communications seek to understand before seeking to
be understood. In your own words rephrase what you heard and
understood. Only after correctly understanding can you participate
knowledgeably in the discussion. Miscommunication is often the cause of
problems, delays, poor or wrong decisions, rumors, and dissatisfied
customers.
8. ACCEPT CRITICISM WITH HUMILITY
We all have blind spots others can see-whether they share them with you
depends on how well they know you and how they perceive you will
respond. A student once told me I had offended some students in my
class. My first response was to thank her for coming to me. After our
discussion, I asked her to come back whenever she sees other blind spots.
9. LEAVE A LEGACY
During my years as department chair, the VP of Engineering for GE was a
member of my industrial advisory board. He told me that at his retirement
reception many people thanked him in cards and verbally in the receiving
line. He said the surprising thing was all their comments related to what he
had done to help them-not about his work as an engineer. They recalled
very specific examples of advice, encouragement, and tangible help
during a hardship in both personal and work-related issues. He was a
successful engineer, but his coworkers remembered him because of
relationships he fostered with them. Let that be an encouragement-how
others may remember you when you retire in 40 years. n
Larry Zavodney, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Professor of Mechanical
Engineering, wrote this article for MOMENTUM. He has been
faculty advisor for the Supermileage team since 1993. He
worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and Babcock and
Wilcox R & D and taught at The Ohio State University
(Columbus), Yarmouk University in Jordan, and Virginia Tech
prior to becoming the Dept. of Engineering's founding
chairman at Cedarville University in 1992.
September 2021 37
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