Is developing professional confidence the same as gaining professional experience? I think this depends on the root cause of
why we feel we are lacking in professional confidence. Even among my college classmates, there were some engineers that seemed to have <g class="gr_ gr_1654 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1654" data-gr-id="1654">innate</g> confidence in themselves and others did not. It didn't matter that the subject matter was brand new to everyone in the class.
Getting experience doesn't necessarily address the root cause of the lack of confidence. It's fairly well-documented that those who do not match the "stereotypical engineer profile" (women, minorities) feel less confident than their peers at work, even when there is all logical evidence to the contrary. This is especially prevalent in situations where there are very few people with a similar background/gender to you in leadership where you are working.
My take on confidence is that it is really a mindset. It's an innate belief in yourself that, even if you don't know an answer, you have the resources (support, mentors, managers, peers, etc.) to figure it out. And, if you agree with that definition, the only way to gain more confidence is to: 1) Connect with those resources and 2) Try more things that stretch us just a little beyond what we are comfortable with.
The critical foundation for confidence <g class="gr_ gr_6692 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="6692" data-gr-id="6692">is</g> the support component. Extra experience isn't going to help you substantially if, deep down, you don't believe in yourself (and who is realistically going to admit that at work?). Extra experience isn't going to help you if you only have access to unsupportive or neutral
people resources. If this is you - as it has been for me at various points in my career so far - creating your own support network that provides positive encouragement while pushing you to grow is the first step gaining confidence. It's been my experience that two of the fastest ways to do that are to either find a new job or volunteer with engineering <g class="gr_ gr_9254 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="9254" data-gr-id="9254">orgs</g> like ASCE.
If you found this response helpful, I also invite you to visit my blog on this topic here:
How to Build Confidence at Work------------------------------
Stephanie Slocum P.E.
Founder
Engineers Rising LLC
www.engineersrising.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2019 11:48
From: Chad Morrison
Subject: Developing Professional Confidence
If you don't know something. Ask. Ask the construction workers what they need. They will provide you with ideas and knowledge on how to ensure your design is feasible and safe. Ask the project managers for the information you need to complete your design... do not guess or assume anything. Ask senior engineers questions while completing your design. If you submit your design completed and ready for checking without asking any questions, you are not projecting or building confidence, just the opposite. Fake it until you make it does not apply when you are ensuring someone's safety.
No one expects you to have all the answers as a new engineer. They expect you to be eager to find the answers and have the documentation to support it. If someone is pressing you, simply reply, "I need to check with the senior engineer." Or "good question, I will get back to you." You had better follow up if you use these responses. "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer. You are the design authority, you are expected to know. However, no engineer knows everything. Be resourceful and creative, respect from peers and confidence will follow.
------------------------------
Chad Morrison
Greenville RI
(401)231-4870 EXT 2207
Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2019 11:05
From: Babamu Alidu
Subject: Developing Professional Confidence
How do I gain experience with an American construction firm? This is something I would be interested in doing over the summer.
------------------------------
Babamu Alidu S.M.ASCE
Accra
233559120183
Original Message:
Sent: 11-16-2018 18:11
From: Tirza Austin
Subject: Developing Professional Confidence
This is a space to post your thoughts and questions about developing your professional confidence.
------------------------------
Tirza Austin Aff.M.ASCE
Collaborate Coordinator
ASCE
Reston VA
(703)791-2794 EXT 1
------------------------------