7 Key Elements to Creating an

Extraordinary Engineering Career

Presented By Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP, ACC

Civil Engineer, Career Coach, Speaker & Author
Powerful Purpose Associates

Action is the foundational key to all

success.
- Pablo Picasso

Overview
1.

Set Career Goals

2.

Obtain Credentials

3.

Find a Mentor

4.

Become an Effective Communicator

5.

Develop Your Ability to Network

6.

Improve Your Organizational Skills

7.

Be a Leader Everyday

Set Career Goals

Do you have clearly defined career goals?
You should, they act as a destination!

FORMULATE AND PRIORITIZE!

4

Obtain Credentials
Include

licenses,
certifications, education,
awards, publications

Give

you and your

company credibility

Stand

out from other

companies and
professionals

Dont

procrastinate!

Utilize

company
benefits
5

Obtain Credentials:
Exam Preparation
Start

the P.E. application

as early as possible

Start

with the end in mind

Review
What

course

to bring to the exam

If

you fall off the horse,

get right back on!
6

Find a Mentor

What/who
Selecting

is a mentor?

the right mentor

The

mentoring
relationship

Getting

the most from the

mentoring relationship

Become

a mentor
7

Selecting the Right Mentor

Select

someone in your specific discipline

Find

someone who has achieved goals similar

to those you are pursuing

Consider

how comfortable you may be

discussing an uneasy situation with this person
(i.e. a conflict in the workplace)

Find a Mentor

What/who
Selecting

is a mentor?

the right mentor

The

mentoring
relationship

Getting

the most from the

mentoring relationship

Become

a mentor
9

Getting the Most from the

Mentoring Relationship
Meet
Be

with your mentor regularly

prepared for your meetings

Ask

open-ended questions questions that

cant be answered with a simple YES or NO

Take

good notes during and in-between

meetings

Be

proactive dont wait for your mentor

10

Find a Mentor

What/who
Selecting

is a mentor?

the right mentor

The

mentoring
relationship

Getting

the most from the

mentoring relationship

Become

a mentor
11

Become an Effective
Communicator
Many

different forms of
communication today

Honesty

really is the best

policy
Public

speaking is the
ultimate differentiator

Listening

is a critical part
of communication

Responsiveness

impacts

reputation
12

Presentation Skills

Facilitate

project
approvals

Bring

in new work for

the firm

Build

leadership skills

Help

you to get
promoted faster

Build

confidence
13

Develop Your Ability to Network

Building Relationships

14

Networking Why

Life

is about
relationships

Building

relationships is
key to career success

Solid

relationships =
OPPORTUNITIES

Networking

will help you

in your business
development efforts
15

Networking - How

Focus

on building personal relationships

or friendships

Take

the time to get to know people (take

note of their families, interests, hobbies,
stories)

People

give business to people they are

comfortable with

Dont

try to SELL!
16

Networking Who & Where

Industry

Professional
societies

Community

General networking
groups

Everywhere!

17

Develop Your Ability to Network

Social

Networking (Facebook, LinkedIn,

Twitter, etc)

Youre

never too young to network!

Overcoming

low-confidence and language

barriers
Your

ability to bring in work is HUGE!

18

Improve Your
Organizational Skills

19

Be a Leader Every Day

Your attitude and energy

are very important
Always see
opportunities
Understand your role
Delegation
Trust and respect are
critical
20

Summary

1.

Career Goals provide a destination

2.

Obtain Credentials - credibility

3.

Find a Mentor selection is key

4.

Communication public speaking

5.

Networking - opportunities

6.

Organization productivity

7.

Leadership no problems
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Questions/Comments
Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP, ACC
Bestselling Author
Civil Engineer, Career Coach & Speaker
afasano@powerfulpurpose.com
Free Engineering Career Resources
http://www.PowerfulPurpose.com

Institute for Engineering Career

Development
www.EngineeringCareerDevelopment.com

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