Preceived value as an engineer? 1

[eng1234]

Pardon the rant...but I have to find out how other companies value their engineers (person to person)? We are a small engineering department of 10 people, all mechanical engineers except one electrical engineer. The electrical guy, whom is a friend and I constantly call him he is high maintenance, is constantly in panic mode due to the amount of work on his plate. He gets a lot of things done no doubt, but is always telling people how busy he is and that must be where the perceived value comes into play. In fact the guy was just recognized in a company wide meeting for going above and beyond the call by taking some electrical rework components back to the supplier and getting them out the door in a week to meet the suppliers request. Was their more to filling this customers request, probably, but I don't know the exact details. On the other hand I just returned from a 10 day trip to China working 10-11 hours a day to audit one of our production lines, design tooling and fixtures and insure the longterm success of the product being produced, all while my wife is about to deliver our third kid.

With that said I'm a much quieter engineer who gets a lot done, but doesn't go around spouting about it. Am I bitter for not being recognized? I guess, so how do other engineers deal with this type of person in their department and further prove your worth to management.

 

[MadMango]

There's always the 80/20 rule, where 20% of the people due 80% of the work. I'm glad to be in the upper 20%, and when I am no longer happy, I find a new employer.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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[GregLamberson]

Easy to say, but I wouldn't worry about it. Are you happy with your compensation? If not, ask for a raise. If so, go about doing the best job you can.

The way I look at it (and a little different as I am a consultant, not an employee) is at the end of each day I've done my best job for the client, they pay me what we agreed, and we're even, they owe me nothing, I owe them nothing. Tomorrow starts another day.

One thing to consider, he is the only EE in the shop, maybe mgmt feels they need to stroke him a little to keep him in place. Some people require that, personally I prefer the old motto - don't tell me, pay me.

But if they can't find another EE, they may be "stuck" with keeping him and it may be some manipulation on their part and not genuine apprciation, I wouldn't put it past management, they can be somewhat Machiavellian. That's why I'm a consultant, I rarely have to be involved in corporate politics.

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

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

 

[sms]

I can't disagree with Greg, but:

My experience is that a large portion of engineers are horrible at marketing themselves. The fact is that the reality of your engineering ability does not matter. What matters is the perception of you and your skills.

Like it or not sucess is often a matter of proper marketing, and perception control, and many engineers do a poor job of it. Then when one of their ranks does a good job of it he or she is referred to as a syphincter smoocher.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

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[graybeach]

Maybe this is part of the problem, but I am very superstitious about spouting off about how great my work is. There are so many chances for mistakes or omissions. Consequences can be expensive or even fatal. I just try to do things right in good faith and let the finished product speak for itself. It does eventually.

 

[eng1234]

All interesting comments and well taken, thanks. While I do feel that the EE has much better self-marketing ability, I find it interesting/frustrating that management allows, protects, and even rewards such behavior. Not sure my next move will be except sit back and watch, take notes, and if there comes a point when I've had enough, find a better opportunity.

 

[GSTeng]

In my opinion most engineers don't market themselves at all. They have the attitude of graybeach, "the finished product speaks for itself". I agree fully that this "should " be true but in my experience it is not.

At a previous employer I did a much better job than the engineer who had been there 3 years longer than me and who actually taught me the basics. Customers requested me on their jobs and other operating areas requested that I come to their area for relief and not him. I got sick of this after awhile and asked for a raise and promotion for this reason and got it right away. But if I had not brought the point up to my manager and pointed out the job I was doing he would not have changed a thing.

From that and other things I have seen, those who sell themselves and push the envelope for raises and promotions get ahead faster than the ones that do a good job and wait for it to be noticed.

There is nothing wrong with telling people about your strengths and the good work you have done, just do it in moderation. For instance relay you sense of accomplishment when you do a good job on a project, you don't have to brag, just be proud of the good work you do. And I will never hesitate to ask for a raise or promotion if I think I a due one. Why would an employer want to pay you more money for a job you a willing to do for less?????

 

[whyun]

Go on a month long vacation. When you return to find piles of work at your cubicle/office and the "blame" to go with it, you are not valued in that firm.

I notice that ones that are promoted or get big raises are not necessarily rewarded for being good engineers. Marginal engineers can succeed in this business... Sad but its a fact.

Perceived value of an engineer in a firm is, for the most part, based on the firm's perceived "need" for that individual. You can be the greatest engineer in the world but if there is someone else who can do what you normally perform at your office, your value drops.

 

[csd72]

I worked for a firm where the incompetent engineers got moved to where they could do least harm - in middle management!

 

[cksh]

I don't know if I am appreciated or not. Although my boss is great and is always quick to say thanks for doing a good job.

But at the same time I am expected to do things I had not planned on or was never informed I woud have to do upon starting the job I am at now. Travelling on short notice so I can go to a plant for 12 hour days that accomplishes nothing etc.

I think that regardless of what is told to us we are nothing but human capital like the rest of the flock to be exploited by the man

Sorry that was my rant for the day. From a bitter Automotive engineer

 

[csd72]

How can you be upset, your an engineer that actually works on things with engines!

The things that I design just sit there.