Career By Design

Hi everyone!

I'm working with the Committee on Younger Members to put on a "Developing a Career Plan" Webinar (it'll be April 22 at 2PM EST-- check it out and tell your friends!). I wanted to open up the floor to discussion to everyone here to see what YOU think was (or will be) the most important part of developing YOUR career plan.

Have you always known you wanted to be a civil engineer? Have you changed paths throughout your career so far? Who or what prompted those changes? What helped you identify your career options and set your goals?

Any and all input is welcome :)

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Peyton Gibson EIT,EIT,A.M.ASCE
Littleton CO
(910)551-7054
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Peyton,

First of all, kudos for taking charge of your own development, deciding to join a committee, and working to help others achieve success in their careers. 

In my experience, knowing yourself is the first step in developing career goals and a career plan. Knowing yourself may sound simple and perhaps irrelevant to some, but thinking deeply about one's strengths, being humble to recognize one's weaknesses, and understanding what really motivates oneself is hard work. After this first step, I suggest reaching to more experienced colleagues in one or more areas that may be of your interest. These colleagues can give you great advice on how to advance your career, skills required, mistakes to avoid, and their perspective of the industry. This is valuable knowledge that will help you design your career path.

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Carlos Zuluaga C.Eng
Cary NC
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Honestly, I never considered myself a career woman, nor did I think much about what kind of career I really wanted after graduation. I graduated at the beginning of the recession, so eventually I ended up taking a job with a local firm. I worked there for a few years, but it never really felt like a career. It felt like just a job. I wasn't miserable, but I wasn't excited. 

Eventually, I ended up taking a job with my current company. When I came on at my new company, I suddenly felt like a world of opportunities opened up. For the first time, I am excited about my career and I have goals for where I want to be 3, 5, even 10 years from now. 

I think the difference is the company culture. I wouldn't say that my previous employer was bad, but it just wasn't the best fit for me. My current employer has a great atmosphere that I find encouraging and stimulating. I get to work with a great team, and with great bosses who allow me to pursue great opportunities both within the company and in my involvement with ASCE.

My biggest tip is that, especially in a good economy like right now, look for an employer that you believe will be a good fit for you. Look at their company culture and seek out some place that will allow you to grow and develop the career you would like to have. If you are in a job that feels more like just a job and less like a career, consider seeking out employment elsewhere. We are all unique, so it is not surprising that one company might be a great fit for one person, but not for another. "Iron sharpens iron," so look for a place where you can work with people that you feel will sharpen you!

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Kelly Farabee
Guyton GA
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