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.

 

[BJC]

If it's a reqular job someone else can do it. dembous should rise to his highest potential. Ruts are for people who can't see over the edge of the rut.
keeping your nose to the grindstone will get you a red nose and kink in your back.

 

[itdepends]

There's a good quote I remember- not sure where it came from.

"You have two ears and one mouth- use them in that ratio"

Being a trainee and new to the company- I'd suggest you take that even further to the extreme- and listen a lot- ask questions- but in an appropriate forum- i.e. not in the meeting unless the content is beind directed at you and and clarification is required.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[csd72]

A secret that many people never learn.

Some tasks can be done 'good enough' and some tasks must always be done perfectly. The secret to productivity is learning which tasks fall into which category.

csd

 

[NCDesign]

Figured I'd throw my two cents in. As several others have said in some way or another, you are being brought to the meetings not as a contributor but for your own advancement and knowledge. If you think you have a good idea, strategy, answer etc, that wasn't addressed or you think was addressed incorrectly jot it down and then discuss it with your lead on the trip back to the office. Shows you were paying attention and that you might have something valuable to add. The person you are with might be thinking the same thing but keeping their mouth shut for a reason that you are not aware of. It also doesn't show up the person that is bringing you along if it was good and they hadn't thought of it. Do that a couple of times and the next meeting the lead may turn to you and say "dembous how would you handle that?" The biggest thing at this point is patience.

Not down playing your intelligence but the most dangerous person in the engineering world is what I call an "ignorant incompetent". That is, they don't know what it is that they don't know. It's real easy when you first start out to think you know it all. If you recognize early that you still have a lot to learn you will advance and grow much, much quicker. That first lesson can take some people quite a long time to learn.

 

[BJC]

Or he could be brought to meeting because someone thinks he has potential and attending meetings is a good way to learn.