The Professional Career Curve

For Engineering Management

Steve Jenkin16 October 2003

Agenda

● The Curve● So What?● Milestones● Phase I● Phase 2● Phase III - Journeyman● Phase III - Master Craftsman● Phase IV

Agenda - II

● First Job● Apprenticeship● Other Milestones● Retirement● Phase III Options● Concerns & Challenges● Needs● Being a Professional● The Meaning of Life● Conclusion

The Curve

So What?

● Went looking for a model, couldn't find one...

● This is a novel idea.

● It's not a new process

Milestones

● Phase I ends with getting your first job in the profession

● Phase II ends with gaining a 'Professional Plateau' position

● Phase III ends with you leaving the profession

● Many people don't transition from 'Journeyman' to 'Master Craftsman'

Phase I

● Training & study● 'Getting in, Getting On'

Phase 2

● Learning the job● Trying out different employers/workplaces● Finding your niche● Serving an apprenticeship● Settling on a Career Path● 'Going Up'

Phase III - Journeyman

● A qualified, competent Professional● 'Performing'

Phase III - Master Craftsman

● 'The Expert' in your workplace● Training & mentoring others● 'High Performance'

Phase IV

● 'Moving On'● Change Direction, Exploring New Challenges● Burn Out● 'Let go', redundancy● Retirement, Incapacity, ...● Under-employment

First Job

● Select your Employer & Supervisor● Something is better than nothing● Just Anything is not a good idea● It's OK to move around and experiment early on● Manage your CV – 'serial short-stay' is not good

● When to leave?– Move to, not away from:

You take your problems with you– You're stagnating, being used/abused, need more

variety, exhausted learning opportunities, Money

Apprenticeship

● Avoid Career Limiting Moves● Manage your CV & Portfolio

– We are known by what we do● Select your bosses carefully● Find a Mentor● Treat your career planning seriously● If you want to get into management, you have to

know early & work towards it.

Other Milestones

● 1st Promotion or Job Change● 1st Supervisory position● 1st Team Leader role● 1st Budgetary Responsibility● 1st 'All mine' project● ...

Retirement

● You'll want to pull-back at some stage– Even if it's to work part-time & have time to 'smell the

roses'● Most people don't prepare or save for it● 'Retiring at 40/45' is a great goal – but you have to

plan it and work on it!– It is possible if your start by 25. 39 is too late!– Money Management is necessary– There are 'ASO 2 Millionaires', you just have to want

it and do it● Current received wisdom is: '4-5 Careers and 20+

jobs'

Phase III Options

● Technical Expert employee● Freelance Contractor or Casual● Pre Sales Support / Technical Sales Rep● Technical Manager● Consultant/Writer/Trainer● Academia● Researcher● Business Operator/Owner● Employer● ...

Concerns & Challenges

● Phase I – Get the qualification– Very short sighted view. Miss lots – 'Driving flat-out at a brick wall'

● Phase II – Get promoted, 'good prospects'– Trade satisfaction & enjoyment for $$– Terrible job with lots of promises, no action– Getting used & abused. Being Too good to promote– Need to love the work to stay. Won't get better.

● Phase III – Now What?– Need to plan past just the next step– Need to have hobbies and passions outside work– Marriage & Kids - Don't forget them!

Needs

● Phase I - Good teachers & maybe a Mentor● Phase II - Mentor & great bosses● Phase III - Network of great contacts

– Access to the next generation - 'best & brightest'– Peers– Employers, Consultants, Contractors, Vendors, ...

● All Phases - Keeping Current– Need to implement a strategy to avoid obsolescence– Invest in your own career development - this is your

responsibility, no-one else's● Update your CV every 6 months

Being a Professional

● A Definition:Providing increasingly better or perfect outcomes to all stakeholders.

● It's not just about the money & toys– Screw the client & they'll screw you

● Clients have rights, but not total control– Ethics– Environment

● Real Professionals Listen & Learn. They make Quality Stuff.

The Meaning of Life

● Work/Life Balance is necessary with increasing work-load & performance demands

● What matters to you?– Some things have a 'use by date' - don't let them expire

because 'the firm needs you'– Work this out early and you'll have a much happier and

better ride[Hint: It is hard & will evolve]

● You give your life its Meaning.

Conclusion

● Don't forget to:-'Have Fun and Do Good Things'