How Did You Cope With Limited Post Design Experience

[shamsdebout]

I have about 2 years experience working in an MEP environment. I worked a year and a half at my first firm, it was good as a way to transition to building construction design from Telecommunications. I was able to learn alot. My manager used me more of an assistant to him (a peer said he was turning me into a CAD guy), later he gave me some latitude but I wasn't expected to furnish answers to RFI's, code comments on any projects I designed (I never even saw them). I also didn't do any punches on any building constructed. I now see that I missed out on some valuable experience.
I am now working at a different company, their philosophy is different, I am expected to take responsibility of the project from design to construction and occupancy. Of course my manager will assist where I need assistance and some items such as project scheduling, cost he will handle. I am trying to take advantage of this opportunity but many of my peers already have more experience than me in this regard.
Has this ever happened to anyone?
What can I do to bridge the gap?

 

[brandoncdg]

Ask lots and lots of questions. Don't pretend like you know how to do something. I was similar to your situation, caught on really fast, and couldn't believe how people you train will just nod yes they understand to everything.

Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://civildevelopmentgroup.com

http://civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog

 

[shamsdebout]

Good advice I need to ask more questions, sad thing is I have nodded my head a few times and didn't really understand.

 

[GregLocock]

So you wasted two people's time, plus you'll annoy him by asking the same question again.

So that's easy to sort out. Take a notebook with you when you ask a question and write the answer down.



Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[desertfox]

Hi shamsdebout

When you took this new job, ie at the interview etc did you tell them how little experience you had in these area's?
In a nutshell did the company take you on knowing that they would have to invest time and money to train you?

desertfox

 

[shamsdebout]

Fox, yes I did mention the areas I had limited experience in,I explained that it was customary at the previous job for someone else to handle those duties. At the interview I was told that the firm's philosophy was different, they have fulfilled on that.
I am getting there though.

 

[desertfox]

Hi shamsdebout

Then ask as many questions about the things you want to know and don't be afraid to say can you explain it again if you don't understand it the first time round, the company took you on knowing of your inexperience so they should expect a lot of questions and mistakes while you learn.
Experience can only come with time and thats a lesson we all had to learn, when I started out many years ago I was amazed by other people solving problems and I used to think wow how did he know that, but as time as rolled on I find myself not in awe of solving the same problems that my mentors did many years ago.

desertfox

 

[shamsdebout]

I can do better in asking for a concept to be explained again when I don't fully understand. I have a pretty good relationship with the senior guys, on ocassions I may say "I have a dumb question and I apologize in advance for asking", he gets a good laugh with that one.