Advice for Managers to Give Younger Engineers
Posted May 23rd, 2019
As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. Whether you are an experienced engineer or an engineering manager, you’ve likely learned some lessons the hard way. If you had the opportunity to avoid them, you probably would.
By sharing what you know with younger engineers, you can save them from some career hardships. Plus, you can help them excel faster, allowing them to skip some of the difficulties you might have navigated along the way.
If you work with younger engineers, here are some tips worth sharing.
A Mentor is a Valuable Resource
Having an experienced role model by your side can work wonders for a person’s career. A mentor can serve as a guide and soundboard, assisting them with challenging situations and helping them determine which career moves may serve them best. Additionally, mentors can serve as a source of inspiration, letting you get to know someone who has been in your shoes and succeed.
Let younger engineers know that finding a mentor should be a priority. That way, they can start cultivating this relationship as early in their career as possible.
Learn How to Lead Others
Technical ability can only get you so far in an engineering career. At some point, in order to advance, the ability to manage other engineers is going to be a job requirement.
Encourage younger engineers to find opportunities to be a leader, even if they are in an entry-level role. This allows them to build their leadership skills earlier, increasing the odds that they will be ready when the day to shift into a management position arrives.
Don’t Stop Asking Questions
To put it simply, no one knows everything. Being comfortable with asking questions is essential for several reasons, including everything from gaining clarity about a project or getting critical information that can help them further their career. Plus, it increases the odds that they will consider the perspective of others and learn to explore a wider range of options. Questions promote growth, and that is rarely a bad thing.
Always Keep Learning
While younger engineers have often just finished a degree program, that doesn’t mean they should stop learning. The engineering world changes constantly and there are new technologies emerging all of the time.
By making continuous learning a priority, they can stay on top of industry trends and prepare themselves to work in the future of the field. This can enhance long-term job security and make them a more valuable asset to their employer, both of which can help them develop a strong career.
Ultimately, all of the tips above can be valuable to any engineer, particularly those who are just starting out in their career. Make sure to share them with your younger team members and coworkers, ensuring they have the knowledge to thrive in the field.
Boost Your Team with the Help of Bayside Solutions
If you would like to know more about how you can help the next generation of engineers excel, the team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our knowledgeable staff today and see how our career development expertise can benefit you.
