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  • 1.  New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-04-2021 11:25 AM
    With the new year starting, I'm sure you've been hearing about New Year's Resolutions as much as I have lately. New Year's resolutions can obviously vary in breadth and scope, whether they be in your professional or personal lives. What are some of the New Year's resolutions you have for your career/professional life?

    When I was in college, I was super involved in various clubs and activities. But as I made the transition from a college student to a working professional (all during the pandemic), I found myself not as involved with some of the organizations I really had an interest of getting more involved with (like ASCE and WTS). In part, with all of the networking/activities/presentations being remote and online, I was wanting to step away from my computer after my work day and not tune into the organization's offerings.  One of my New Year's resolution for my professional life is to attend at least one networking/presentation/activity from ASCE or similar professional organizations a month. 

    I'd love to hear what some of your New Year's Resolutions are for your career!

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    Madison Anderson, A.M.ASCE
    Arvada, CO
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  • 2.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-04-2021 04:45 PM
    Hey Madison!

    Great question. Similar to you, I want to attend at least one ASCE activity a month. I also want to practice my public speaking. I recently joined a local toastmasters club!

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    Rafael Estrada Moncada EI,A.M.ASCE
    Construction Engineer
    Lincoln NE
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  • 3.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-05-2021 11:12 AM
    Hi Rafael! 

    Awesome! That's great that you've already taken a step to help improve your public speaking. Best of luck!   





  • 4.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-05-2021 06:34 PM
    Most of the time in my own career, I have had goals that were more loosely defined as opposed to being very specific. (Ignoring the year my goal was to pass the PE, haha.) I tend to avoid specific "resolutions" for the same reason - in my experience, I find that I start to focus more on the end result, rather than any progress I make in the right direction. 

    That being said, I work on a particular task in my day-to-day that I feel could be further optimized. My goal is to at least determine whether or not such an opportunity actually exists in this work, and if it does, to develop at least one iteration of workflow that will enable this to happen.

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    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
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  • 5.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-08-2021 01:38 PM
    Awesome Christopher! Thanks for the response. I really like your point on focusing on the process and progress that results from goals! The journey is a really big for me personally. At times, I've found it difficult to to balance these somewhat vague, but valuable goals with SMART goals.

    I wish you all the best in the optimization of your task!





  • 6.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-04-2022 08:11 PM
    Hey Madison,

    Happy New Year! I wanted to revive this thread to see how your 2021 Resolution worked out!

    Did anyone else successfully complete their 2021 resolutions?

    Always curious,
    Daniel

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    Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Structural Engineer
    Brooklyn NY
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  • 7.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-09-2022 09:39 PM
    Hi Daniel!

    I think I achieved my goal! Unfortunately, I lost the log of events I started because of computer issues, so I wasn't able to get an accurate count (or a definitive answer). Looking back though, I was definitely able to attend more webinars/networking events/etc.  and I feel a lot better about my involvement. I'm excited to continue in 2022! Cheers to the New Year! 

    Warm wishes, 
    Madison

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    Madison Anderson, A.M.ASCE
    Kenosha, WI
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  • 8.  RE: New Year's Resolutions for Your Career

    Posted 01-13-2022 08:48 AM
    Madison, 

    That's great to hear! It's always encouraging to hear success stories of people reaching their goals!

    Daniel

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    Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Structural Engineer
    Brooklyn NY
    ------------------------------