How to perform 5

[dembous]

Hi Guys,


I started 3 weeks ago working as an Instrumentation and Controls EIT (Engineer-In-Training) in an EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) firm.
So far, I attended 2 meetings and I couldn't even say one word. I just stayed there listening to my team-mates.
Could any one out there give me some pieces of advice so that I can quickly become operational!!?
Thanks in advance.

 

[corus]

For a new beginner just listening isn't a bad way to start to start at a job. It may be better than putting your foot in it and saying something stupid and labelling yourself for all eternity. Then again I wouldn't be afraid to ask questions, even at meetings. If you say nothing at all at meetings and contibute nothing, even showing a willing to learn, then you won't be invited to many more. If you're unsure of yourself then ask questions. People will understand you're a new starter and generally will be quite helpful. You'll get noticed more in your job if at meetings you say something. Making presneatations at meetings is a sure way to get promoted I've noticed. Everyone loves a performer, face it.

corus

 

[kchayfie]

Listening is a good start. Make sure you are paying attention to everything that is going on and it helps if you can be seen to be paying attention - for example, by volunteering to take the minutes of that meeting. That way, you can be sure that you know what is going on and you have good reason to ask questions to clarify bits that you don't understand. Try to recognise where and when to ask though - for some questions, the meeting is absolutely the right place to raise them but others questions you would be better asking your boss or your co-workers after the meeting. Spotting which is which is the hard part but it will quickly get easier. But make sure you know what the meeting was about and that your boss knows you know. You'll soon find you have things to contribute as well.

 

[GregLamberson]

I'll tell you what young man, at this stage simply asking that question says allot about you. I would follow the advice above, listen and ask questions.

Also, any chance that comes up that you can get into the field, do so and in fact seek out those opportunities. There are not near enough engineers that know what happens in the field.

kchayfie has a great piece of advice on taking the MOM's, usually this is a task no one likes to do, in fact most detest having to take them and the advantages pointed out would certainly benefit you.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[GregLamberson]

dembous

Just thought of somehting else, and a follow up to my post above. You mentioned you are in an EPC company, I would seek out the E&I Const Supt's and foreman and talk to them. Ask them for some advice on what they are looking for. Your company may have a constructabilty program in place, if so, take advantage of that and if not, asking the construction guys will give you a prespective on what keeps them up at night and causes them field installation issues.

Remember, constructability is not "construciton calling the shots", but it is taking field installation procedures and field conditions into account when designing a facility. Often, unfortunatley, engineering & construction do not talk enough, start bridging that gap and you will find yourself becoming more valuable to the company and becoming a better engineer.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[csd72]

Ask as many intelligent questions as you need, but write the answers down so you dont have to ask them twice.

 

[TheTick]

Don't use meetings as a chance to show how "willing and inquisitive" you are. The meetings likely have other purposes and most of those people don't want to waste their time with that.

Put your energy into cultivating a relationship with a suitable mentor. Ideally this will be someone who will help you professionally and also politically.

Three weeks isn't long at all. Be prepared to wait patiently for a few months before you really get moving on something.

Honesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[JsTyLz]

I won't repost the questions things, but always write down things you don't understand. Later use the internet to find the opinions of billions on that very same subject. Also, if you have any projects, put together a slide show to explain them to non-technical people, i.e. the rest of the world. Believe me this last one may seem like a waist of time but the sooner you can communicate with the rest of the world the quicker you will understand your subject matter, whatever it may be. Ohh yeah the most important one... and there are too many people out there that do this one, don't lie!!!! Always be honest and tell the truth. If you don't understand something don't pretend to. There is nothing more despised in the workplace than a bull****er.

 

[MechanicalChef]

Yeah, it took me a few months before I actually felt comfortable operating on my projects. In the beginning, I'd typically take a note of something I didn't quite understand, like terminology or an acronym. After the meeting, I'd sit down and ask one of the senior engineers to tell me about it. "Define BAJ, IML, OML, BMS, etc."

That helped me understand what was going on once I could visualize the topics of discussion. You're a green engineer, so it's expected that it'll be a little while before you've learned your job. So don't worry too much about it. Sooner or later, you'll fall into groove and become proficient at your projects.

Oh, and don't worry about not getting invited to meetings. In time, you'll probably learn to resent going to them.

 

[mls1]

I agree that you should listen and ask questions but you should also read-read-read. Your coworkers most likely have a wealth of references on just about every subject that will come up. Rather than asking them to explain what something means ask them for a reference and then come back with questions. This will take less of their time and you'll learn more.

 

[JsTyLz]

Mechanical Chief,
you hit the nail on the head buddy, meetings ahhhhhhhhh if I only new when I first started how nice it would be if I never got invited.

 

[dembous]

Thanks so much to all for your valuable contribution.
Definitely those pieces of advice will help me.

Cheers.

 

[BJC]

Sometimes you need to write down questions or actions for yourself. What went on in a meeting you don't understand or didn't know? These are little research projects before and after the meeting.
Learn the language. Construction has buzzwords just like every business. Not just the terms that pretain to instrumentation but the whole construction business. Do you know what red iron is, who are rod busters, what do millwrights do on a job, etc.
Learn to think SCHEDULE. Learn what the constrains are, how they get fixed and who fixes them.
Set your sights high. You don't want to be an instrument engineer forever. Figure by the time you get you PE you could be running a job or at least a good part of it.
Start thinking about the forest, not the trees and forget about the beetles on the bark.

 

[ajack1]

Meetings are a great place to find out how the company works. See who leads the meetings and whom people listen too and who gets all the tasks done, they may not be the people you would expect. Also find out who only has questions and obstacles. A great place to find out who gets on with who and any internal fighting to move up the pecking order.

You do not have to “play” at company politics, but understanding them can only help you. There is a lot of free information to be found in meetings and as others have said take notes.

 

[Ashereng]

As ane EIT in an EPC (presumably a large one), I would advise you not to say much in any meetings, unless specifically ask to.

Another piece of advise - there are no dumb questions, so ask away. However, there are redundant questions - so write down the questions, check your list to see if you already asked it before, so that you are not being redundant. Most "old timeers" are agreeable to help someone, but not to repeatedly answer the same question.

As an EIT, in an EPC, most people in the meeting probabl yisn't there to hear you. I am guessing that your boss probably invited you to the meeting as a courtesy, for you to gain experience, understand how a meeting runs, and what the current state of the project is.

You are actually very lucky to be invited. I don't see a lot of EIT's in meetings - they are usually at their desk.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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[BJC]

One more thing- volunteer for everything. This is the place to learn. If the project super ask for someone to check dimensions of pipe spools between a boiler and a turbine -do it. If they want someone to check clearances and turning radii on the road to the project do it. Look at things like this as opportunities. These are great learning opportunities. As trivial and boaring as they may seem they are someone panic of the day. they will appreicate and remember it.
When you finish the project -don't have one years experience repeated 4 times. Get away from there with four years of knowledge you could never have learned in school.

 

[dembous]

Thanks Guys. I summarised all your pieces of advise and started applying them.

 

[MechanicalChef]

"One more thing- volunteer for everything."

Agreed. Your boss will understand your tech-skills are lacking. However, what will/should impress him is your initiative.

 

[vpl]

One more thing- volunteer for everything{/quote]

Just don't volunteer for so many ancilliary projects that your routine work is not getting done.

Patricia Lougheed

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[Ashereng]

Very good point vpl. Star for you.

One still needs to do one's "regular" job. Always keep that in the forefront.


"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?