Need Some Advice 1

[JVK2060]

Hi Everyone,

I have been working as an engineer for the past 10 years. I can't say for how long but I have been in a rut and find myself lacking confidence and feel like I'm falling behind. I see my peers succeeding and exceling and I continue to compare my performance based on how well they are doing. My skills are not as sharp as I feel they could be and I second guess myself in various aspects of design. I passed my PE but I don't feel like it makes me any more of an engineer.

I am looking for some advise or some inspiration to get me back on track.

 

[JAE]

Start looking for a new job with a focus on the company's mentoring approach, attitude and systems.
You didn't provide a lot of detail but it sounds like you don't have a good mentor/senior engineer who can help you gain more relevant experience.

Otherwise, it could be that you aren't motivating yourself to self-improve. There are lots of ways to do that.

 

[JVK2060]

I was hoping for recommendations to self-improve.

 

[JAE]

1. Find a local, experienced mentor (not necessarily an engineer, who can accept a role as your personal mentor. I think there are organizations that provide this from local business and professional volunteers.
2. If you know any other older, experienced engineers (maybe not in your local area) you could ask them for advice. Sometimes this opens doors to other opportunities.
3. One thing I did early in my career was read a lot - I even read a concrete design textbook purchased form a local university bookstore to improve my concrete design knowledge. In fact, the main thing I learned in graduate school is how to teach myself and how to learn.
4. Go back to school (if you can afford it) or ask your current employer if they would support you in this (with respect to time and/or tuition).

Just a few ideas.

 

[JVK2060]

Do you think speaking with my supervisor about my concerns is an option or would I only be creating more trouble for myself and my future employment?

 

[SWComposites]

depends on your relationship with your supervisor. how have your previous performance reviews gone? those are typically the times to discuss your career progression.
do you have any similar age peers at your company?
what type of company? and what size? is there a career path for you at this company?
how much self learning do you do? reading? conferences? industry committees? classes?

 

[JVK2060]

The relationship is mostly professional, there is very little off the clock discussions. Reviews have been positive and my supervisor has noted that I tend to be too hard on myself. We have discussed upcoming advancements and opportunities and they haven't turned down the idea moving up.
There are similar aged as me, a company of civil and structural engineer. We recently merged with a much larger company but we have maintained our location and employees under the new company. There is a long career path ahead of me in the new company.
I mostly self educate through text books.

 

[ALK2415]

simply keep learning, with every setback you should start standing back, work like life has many down and up moments, self-confidence will increase your working-level. try to socialize since being isolated will make you feel more lost and left behind. you good time is ahead of you. other success has nothing to do with your feelings. mix the following "persistence and patience" and keep up the smile.
just don't worry too much !!!
keep studying in every time you could
don't think of the past or intimidate from coming future
things will be resolved when you have good friend

 

[AZPete]

Why did you choose this profession?

 

[JVK2060]

I wanted to design buildings. I was interested in the mechanics of building design.

 

[271828]

We would need a lot more detail to advise how to self-improve.

For example, what do you mean "falling behind"? Are they starting to get clients and you're not? Are they getting better projects? Do they just seem better at the technical parts of the job?

 

[JVK2060]

They seem better at the technical parts of the job. I would note that of the many structural engineers in my department that the workflow has been catered to "Engineer A" is best at concrete buildings, "Engineer B" is best at steel buildings and while I have worked on many types of buildings I haven't fallen into the "He is best at X type of building". We also don't have a standardized method of design, where some people have developed their own spreadsheets to design while other utilize methods that have been passed on through older experienced engineers so it becomes almost of matter of picking sides.

 

[SWComposites]

Are you fully busy with assigned work? If not ask the other engineers if you can help with any of their projects.
Do you get assigned jobs, or do you get a chance to ask to work on specific ones?
Sometimes its best to not be an expert in one narrow niche, but rather be good at a number of things.
Try to figure out why you are not as proficient as some other engineers there, and then focus your reading/learning on areas you might be weak at. And ask (good, well thought out) questions of the other "experts".

 

[271828]

They seem better at the technical parts of the job. I would note that of the many structural engineers in my department that the workflow has been catered to "Engineer A" is best at concrete buildings, "Engineer B" is best at steel buildings and while I have worked on many types of buildings I haven't fallen into the "He is best at X type of building". We also don't have a standardized method of design, where some people have developed their own spreadsheets to design while other utilize methods that have been passed on through older experienced engineers so it becomes almost of matter of picking sides.

How is the office organized? I'm imagining a scenario where your Peer A always works for Partner A who brings in projects that are usually concrete, such as if they design 10 story bldgs in DC with their height limit. Peer B works for Partner B who works on projects that almost always end up steel for whatever reason -- industrial perhaps. OTOH, you work for a partner that gets a wider range of project types. If the situation is something like that, I don't think I'd worry about it. If everyone else is settling down with a partner and you're not, that would bug me more because you'll have a harder time building client relationships over the years; THAT would be a big competitive disadvantage that would need to be addressed.

Advice for self-improvement based on what you've typed so far: If your next project is wood, then dig in and study a wood textbook and get a full understanding of everything you're doing during that project. Studying at night, weekends, working examples, verifying commercial program output, reading about best detailing practices, etc. If you get a concrete project, do the same with it. Same with steel. In a few years, you're bound to be about as good as everybody at all of those topics. It might be that Peer A and Peer B will ONLY be good at their favorite topic and be weaker at the others.

 

[CWB1]

Sounds like you're either bored or burnt-out (apathetic). BTDT on both, dont confuse the two.

Boredom can be solved by finding a new challenge. In that instance the issue is that you're too comfortable, not that you dont care. Step outside the comfort zone and let yourself be pushed to greatness.

If you're burnt-out you need a lifestyle change, not necessarily a career change. The problem then is that you dont care about work bc your life is lacking something which often cant be found at work. Try taking up an old hobby again, a bucket-list vacation, or visiting family more - something that makes you truly happy. You can also try a new role or technical challenge but dont be surprised if you find yourself half-assing if work isnt really the issue. IME when you're truly happy otherwise work tends to flow.