the professional career curve for engineering management steve jenkin 16 october 2003
TRANSCRIPT
The Professional Career Curve
For Engineering Management
Steve Jenkin16 October 2003
Agenda
● The Curve● So What?● Milestones● Phase I● Phase 2● Phase III - Journeyman● Phase III - Master Craftsman● Phase IV
Agenda - II
● First Job● Apprenticeship● Other Milestones● Retirement● Phase III Options● Concerns & Challenges● Needs● Being a Professional● The Meaning of Life● Conclusion
The Curve
So What?
● Went looking for a model, couldn't find one...
● This is a novel idea.
● It's not a new process
Milestones
● Phase I ends with getting your first job in the profession
● Phase II ends with gaining a 'Professional Plateau' position
● Phase III ends with you leaving the profession
● Many people don't transition from 'Journeyman' to 'Master Craftsman'
Phase I
● Training & study● 'Getting in, Getting On'
Phase 2
● Learning the job● Trying out different employers/workplaces● Finding your niche● Serving an apprenticeship● Settling on a Career Path● 'Going Up'
Phase III - Journeyman
● A qualified, competent Professional● 'Performing'
Phase III - Master Craftsman
● 'The Expert' in your workplace● Training & mentoring others● 'High Performance'
Phase IV
● 'Moving On'● Change Direction, Exploring New Challenges● Burn Out● 'Let go', redundancy● Retirement, Incapacity, ...● Under-employment
First Job
● Select your Employer & Supervisor● Something is better than nothing● Just Anything is not a good idea● It's OK to move around and experiment early on● Manage your CV – 'serial short-stay' is not good
● When to leave?– Move to, not away from:
You take your problems with you– You're stagnating, being used/abused, need more
variety, exhausted learning opportunities, Money
Apprenticeship
● Avoid Career Limiting Moves● Manage your CV & Portfolio
– We are known by what we do● Select your bosses carefully● Find a Mentor● Treat your career planning seriously● If you want to get into management, you have to
know early & work towards it.
Other Milestones
● 1st Promotion or Job Change● 1st Supervisory position● 1st Team Leader role● 1st Budgetary Responsibility● 1st 'All mine' project● ...
Retirement
● You'll want to pull-back at some stage– Even if it's to work part-time & have time to 'smell the
roses'● Most people don't prepare or save for it● 'Retiring at 40/45' is a great goal – but you have to
plan it and work on it!– It is possible if your start by 25. 39 is too late!– Money Management is necessary– There are 'ASO 2 Millionaires', you just have to want
it and do it● Current received wisdom is: '4-5 Careers and 20+
jobs'
Phase III Options
● Technical Expert employee● Freelance Contractor or Casual● Pre Sales Support / Technical Sales Rep● Technical Manager● Consultant/Writer/Trainer● Academia● Researcher● Business Operator/Owner● Employer● ...
Concerns & Challenges
● Phase I – Get the qualification– Very short sighted view. Miss lots – 'Driving flat-out at a brick wall'
● Phase II – Get promoted, 'good prospects'– Trade satisfaction & enjoyment for $$– Terrible job with lots of promises, no action– Getting used & abused. Being Too good to promote– Need to love the work to stay. Won't get better.
● Phase III – Now What?– Need to plan past just the next step– Need to have hobbies and passions outside work– Marriage & Kids - Don't forget them!
Needs
● Phase I - Good teachers & maybe a Mentor● Phase II - Mentor & great bosses● Phase III - Network of great contacts
– Access to the next generation - 'best & brightest'– Peers– Employers, Consultants, Contractors, Vendors, ...
● All Phases - Keeping Current– Need to implement a strategy to avoid obsolescence– Invest in your own career development - this is your
responsibility, no-one else's● Update your CV every 6 months
Being a Professional
● A Definition:Providing increasingly better or perfect outcomes to all stakeholders.
● It's not just about the money & toys– Screw the client & they'll screw you
● Clients have rights, but not total control– Ethics– Environment
● Real Professionals Listen & Learn. They make Quality Stuff.
The Meaning of Life
● Work/Life Balance is necessary with increasing work-load & performance demands
● What matters to you?– Some things have a 'use by date' - don't let them expire
because 'the firm needs you'– Work this out early and you'll have a much happier and
better ride[Hint: It is hard & will evolve]
● You give your life its Meaning.
Conclusion
● Don't forget to:-'Have Fun and Do Good Things'