8 hour test. I remember walking into that gigantic room, with what seemed like hundreds of people and stacks of books right next to them on those tiny desks. There we were, ready to take the engineering in training, or EIT, test. This was not only the longest, most difficult and challenging test I’ve ever taken, it was something that was important for my career development as an engineer.
“Okay sure, I don’t have a desk now, but I got that promotion I always wanted. So there’s that.”
It was tough, and I was sweating by the end of it, but I made it out alive and a couple of weeks later I received a letter that said, “Yes, you passed, congratulations!” What was I to do next for my growth, advancement, and a little extra money? Let’s talk about what engineers need to think about for their job growth.
Number 1 – Certification And Being Professional
If you haven’t got your Engineer-in-Training certificate yet, that’s what you need to do first. You need to do the studying that’s available and get started on that path And I do not recommend waiting till the last minute. This is something that I studied for at least 12 weeks in advance.
I bought a study guide for it, and did homework on every single day for that entire 12 weeks, and even then I didn’t pass with spectacular results. I’m not the most genius engineer out there, but I’m pretty decent, of above average intelligence, and I can tell you it was a tough test.
So prepare well and get ready. That also leads into the professional engineering license, which is something that I have not pursued yet, and don’t know the exact details to, other than you need references, and 4 years or so under your belt. Get that started early, and look for it in the future.
Number 2 – Seek Out Projects
What you’re doing at your work right now is probably base level stuff that may involve some design, drafting and actually getting work done. However, you do want to be interested at a higher level, too, pay attention to company projects and how to boost them, and championing contract projects. Projects are the next level up from a completely detailed perspective.
If you want to be an analyst, and maybe one day a technical fellow, then you can continue down the path of being in a basement with a lab coat on, and being super-duper awesome in that regard.
However, if you’re looking to go up higher, with more visibility, and a more broad reach in your engineering discipline, you’ll have to be working as a project manager, a program manager, or some type of organizational development individual later. So seek out projects, or at least a small portion of one to begin with.
Number 3 – Keep Your Skills Honed
This is where you sign up for trade magazines, newsletters, and keep active in IEEE or whatever organization is relevant to your branch of engineering. This is also you doing projects at home that are interesting and relevant to the path of growth you are seeking.
And this should be something you are willing to brag about at some type of interview or performance appraisal, such as a meeting with your boss. The point is to keep your skills and mind on what’s next for you. Don’t let them stagnate, you’re going to need them.
Engineers, Use Your Potential to Grow
To begin a successful path in developing your engineering career, you’ll need to seek out certificates and licenses that are available for your branch of engineering, continue to work on the stuff that interests you at home and in your spare time, and try to get your feet wet in projects or higher level strategy type involvement.
To view what’s available at the next level of engineering, hop over to monster.com, search for your degree, and see what’s at the second, third, and fourth level above you to get an idea of what you need to do next.