If you’ve hung around this site, subscribed to the email list, or followed me on social media, you know that I am obsessed with engineering impact.  It is how I close every email and is the focus of nearly every article and post.  Heck, my tagline is Engineer with Impact. But what does that really mean?  And how do we know if we are doing it?

As engineers, we pride ourselves on the ability to problem-solve.  And rightfully so. We are dang good at it!  We’ve spent years, if not decades of our lives, honing the craft of working through problem after problem, getting a precise solution.  But sometimes we get so focused on solving the problem in front of us that we don’t stop to think if the problem is really…well…the problem.  And when we fail to solve the right problems, we fail to Engineer with Impact. [Read more…]

Setting Priorities – What is your water?

Last year, I had the opportunity to hear Kat Cole, Group President of FOCUS Brands at the time, speak on leadership and the power of setting priorities. Cole shared with us her experiences on a service trip in Africa, in hopes of helping nearby villages with humanitarian efforts, and what it taught her about setting priorities.  In this article, I will recount her experience and provide step-by-step guidance for how you can apply it to your work as an engineer.

Sound good?  Good – let’s get to it!  [Read more…]

As part of the 35th Anniversary of the Governor’s Scholars Program in Kentucky, I was invited to participate in their Alumni Day at Northern Kentucky University.  So naturally, I shared with this year’s Scholars what my experience taught me about engineering leadership and life!

Below are the slides and lessons learned that I shared.  [Read more…]

#AskAsh – 004 – How to become an Indispensable Engineer

Question

Hi Ash,

What are your best tips for safeguarding your job, but also rise to the top to score your dream position?

As a recent graduate, I have this fear that if the economy turns or my company starts doing poorly that I’ll be the first one cut. What can you do to be indispensable at work?

Thanks,

Erica, New York

[Read more…]

#AskAsh – 003 – How to Confidently Enter a Job Offer Negotiation?

In this article, I answer one engineer’s questions regarding how to squash his nerves with a job offer negotiation.  His question specifically asks about salary negotiation. However, as you’ll read in tip #6 below, it is better to focus on the whole package and consider other aspects of the offer that might be more important to you.  [Read more…]

“[They] aren’t just hard to find — they don’t exist”

Think this was written about the elusive Sasquatch?  Loch Ness monster, maybe?  What about the abominable snowman?

Nope, nope, and nope.  This was referring to good engineering managers.

In his opinion piece, Juan Pablo Dellarroquelle argues that engineers that are good at their jobs have little incentive to move into a managerial role because they are already influential leaders in an individual contributor role.

Alternatively, he argues, engineers who are weak technically are promoted to managers because of their organizational skills.

While this may be the case in some circumstances, in general – I disagree.   [Read more…]

#AskAsh-002 – Should I get my Professional Engineer License?

Question:

Hi Ash,

Several managers at my company have told me they think I should pursue getting my Professional Engineer license.  While I am not opposed to getting it, I am just not sure it will be worth it.

What do you think?

Thanks,

-Anonymous, Cincinnati, OH

[Read more…]