Is this for me?

[Fucho]

Hello all,

I am a long time lurker, never posted before. Everyone on here is extremely helpful and insightful. I always come on here to seek advice, whether technical or professional, or read terrible tales about HR-weenies and the like, but I've decided to ask for some advice.

Eight months ago, I finished school as a Instrumentation Tech, but decided to move away from home taking on a project management role. I fear I might be in over my head. We are making money on all of my projects, but this is an extreme amount of responsibility. I am dealing with customers, as well as ordering parts for the projects, and making sure the project goes smoothly. I feel I am getting better every day, but my company placed a great deal of responsibilty on a new graduate. I guess I'm just asking for some advice, as I'm kind of at a crossroads to whether or not this job suits me. Sometimes I think I'd rather be doing some hands on field work, but I'm not so sure.

Has anyone else started a job (First job or otherwise) that they felt might be a bit too much (or just not for them). Did you find another job, or push through and gain some great experience. Am I just panicing, when I should just be taking in all the experience I can?

Any advice, or personal experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JL

 

[ctopher]

You were hired to do this position for a reason. They saw potential in you.
Turn it around and make it interesting and fun. Don't stress over it, you're still new to it.

Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[msquared48]

Part of gaining experience is learning your limits. You have to test yourself to find out where it is. Never run from a test. After all, you took a lot of them in school, didn't you? You just have a differnt kind now.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[pennpiper]

You said you are in a "Project Management" role. This means you are supposed to manage others to do work, not do it yourself.

You should not be "purchasing" stuff. You should delegate this to someone else and then require them and all the rest to report "Status" at the "Weekly" management meeting. This will show trust and develop that person's future potential.

Your job is to keep the project on course and make corrections when required. You should have all the different work functions headed by a "Supervisor" who reports to you.


Google:
Span of Management
or
Span of Control

prognosis: Lead or Lag

 

[Fucho]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Pennpiper, I don't actually purchase, just enter everything in the system to be purchased. I do delegare the work, but like I said, I'm new to all of this.

I think part of my problem is developing a thick skin when customers are grouchy. I've never had to deal with this before, and I tend to be hyper-sensative when people are upset. It's getting easier as I do it, but its just weird knowing I might be told off any given day.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Write back in about 2 years - and let us know how things are going. Give yourself a break - you are learning and learning FAST - go with the flow!!

 

[Fucho]

Thanks guys, its encouraging to hear from people who have seen and done it all.

 

[KENAT]

You don't say what you're project managing but...

Many folks question trying project manage a program without having some kind of background in/technical understanding of what you're project managing. I don't mean you have to be an expert on every facet of the project, but to know enough to understand what the relevant experts are saying.

However, doesn't mean you can't plod through doing the best you can and trying to learn from those around you/working on your project. Just be careful not to be high handed with them etc. (which based on humility shown in this post I suspect may not be likely).

I got thrown in the deep end on some project management after about a year in the job and managed to plod through with help from various colleagues etc.

Fake it till you make it, and good luck.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

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

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[TheTick]

Eight months out of school and on your first job, you should feel like you're in over your head and fighting to stay afloat. Keep swimming. If the feeling ever disappears entirely, you have gone senile.