Random Thoughts on Work

Some random thoughts on work:

1. Forget Formal Training. Nothing useful is passed on through a slide deck or training manual. Get your hands dirty and put in the effort.


2. Work Itself is Not Enough. If you've seen hard working people get nowhere, you'll realize it's possible to do the wrong things with enthusiasm. Focus on doing the right things.


3. Working for the wrong people will be to your detriment. We're currently in a talent war but that isn't the half of it. I've seen and worked with maybe 100 engineers and project managers at this point and the standouts are far and away from the runners up. Finding the right person to learn from is a blessing that most will miss out on and not even know it. I have been lucky (top 2%) in this regard.


4. Situational Awareness - Find the Exits. Put more focus on financial independence through means outside of a salary.


5. In relation to (4/), at the beginning of your career, skill development and learning should be much more of a motivator than salary.


6. Volunteer for cleanup. Nothing helps you build stamina and builds your reputation for delivery like volunteering to clean up the messes. These could be on over-budget projects, crunch time submittals or literally just helping maintain the office.


7. Learn on your own. While others are enjoying lunch or watching TV at night, you should be learning. Either with books, videos or technical manuals. During my lunch hour I would watch videos on Khan Academy (World History Series) or the YouTube Channel Periodic Table of Elements. None of these directly connected to my work as an engineer but all knowledge is connected eventually. Turtles all the way down. Earlier in my career (first 1 to 2 years) I would read the FDOT Standard Index and PPM on my own time to get familiar with where to find criteria or understand how things were built. The advantage of this was that I was more efficient at completing assignments because I knew exactly where to look for the right information.


8. Efficiency matters. Engineering consulting is a dollar for hour business. We sell people's time and expertise. The phrase "time is money" has no better place than an engineering consulting firm.


9. Tread lightly and avoid stepping on toes. If you have to step, then smash. This business doesn’t reward personal conflict (like any aspect of life). Most grievances can be handled with avoidance. If there’s something or someone that is particularly irksome to you, keeping it out of your life usually leads to higher levels of energy and a better outlook. But. If there is something or someone that goes out of their way to make your day difficult then it’s your moral duty to unapologetically remove it from your life. Coworker that steps out of line: Quit communication. Boss that is just a bad person: Quit. Operate your life and career like the business of You. Make decisions solely around the betterment of your future. Be selfish about it but not a jerk.