Author Archives: ENGRing Success Podcast

I had such a blast filming this episode of the podcast with Marc. Marc is such a wonderful guest and a wonderful advocate for engineering career development. He’s MUCH further along than I am in this space and I’m so grateful that he took the time to share his expertise and advice on the podcast. It’s really worth a listen.

Episode 38 of the ENGRing Success Podcast

About our Guest

⁠Marc LeVine⁠ is the Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development Leader for ⁠Thermosystems⁠, a full-service control systems integration company that works in the industrial EPC and and Architect Engineer industries.

Marc has an extensive background in human resources and talent development in the  engineering and professional services industry, and has worked for companies of all sizes, ranging from startups to fortune 500 companies!

In addition to his role with Thermosystems, he is the founder of “⁠The ABC’s of Control Systems Engineering⁠”, a twitter/linkedin page and website blog dedicated to helping control systems engineers grow in their careers!  He publishes a ⁠daily newsletter on LinkedIn⁠ called “⁠Career Tips for Engineers⁠” and is also the founder of the ⁠“Jobs and Careers Advice Forum” on Facebook⁠ and Twitter in which he also offers career and job searching advice to others. When it comes to engineering career and talent development, Marc is THE GUY.

In this episode

We talk a little bit about Marc’s journey into the world of engineering talent development and recruiting, and then hit hard on essential topics like the process of evaluating talent, the importance of soft skills, what to put on a good resume, and how to invest in yourself and your career as an aspiring or early-career engineering professional!

The yadayadayada

Don’t miss a blog post or a podcast episode, subscribe to my newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ENGRingSuccess.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support the on podcast on Anchor or on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ENGRingSuccess⁠⁠⁠⁠

Top tier supporters – shout out each episode of the month for $10 monthly donation.

Follow along on all social medias: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/ENGRingSuccess⁠⁠⁠⁠

To submit your question, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠daniel@ENGRingSuccess.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe on YouTube to watch short excerpts of podcast episodes addressing specific topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj86alc3a7_A_PibgYpkWFg  ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Daniel is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Trinity University’s B.S. in Engineering Science and currently works in Commercial Management in the Engineering and Construction Consulting Industry.

All views expressed on this podcast are his own and do not reflect the opinions or views of his employer.

Music by Maxgotthetracks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Pclog68AY1⁠⁠⁠

77 – AI to Get A Degree; Researching Your Future Team; Quit Job to Travel; Non-Engineering Tasks – Engineering Success – The Engineering Career Podcast

Listen to this episode if you: are an early career engineer, are contemplating a career change, or just like engineering career stories.This Week in LinkedIn Lunatics:1. "We're not hiring employees. We're building a team of warriors." 💪🪖⚔️🔥2. Bro… [Open to… Marry?}⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠College Questions1. Its insane that you can study for 4 years so hard majors and still end up unemployed due to oversaturation.2. It’s Not Possible To Just Use AI To Get A Degree Especially For STEM DegreesJob Search Questions1. Researching Your Future Team Before Joining a Company2. I got the dates wrong when sending availabilities for next week. Emailed back 5 min later with the right ones. How much will that count against my candidacy?Career Questions1. [Advice] Should I pull the trigger or am I being really stupid? (quit job after 1 year rotational program to travel/study abroad)2. Entry level employee wants to be looped into everything3. Sick Day Miscommunication. Will this be funny later?4. What’s the most comedically non-engineering related task that you get paid to do daily?Don't miss a blog post or a podcast episode, subscribe to my newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ENGRingSuccess.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the on podcast on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ENGRingSuccess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top tier supporters – shout out each episode of the month for $10 monthly donation. Follow along on all social medias: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://engringsuccess.com/link-in-bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To submit your question, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠daniel@ENGRingSuccess.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube to watch short excerpts of podcast episodes addressing specific topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj86alc3a7_A_PibgYpkWFg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Trinity University's B.S. in Engineering Science and currently works in Commercial Management in the Engineering and Construction Consulting Industry. All views expressed on this podcast are his own and do not reflect the opinions or views of his employer. Music by Maxgotthetracks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Pclog68AY⁠⁠Join my groups on Facebook to discuss Engineering Career Development with like-minded people: Young Professional Engineers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1804199923282340/LinkedIn Lunatics: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879813143342361/Engineering Career Development: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1452344272251413To submit your question, email daniel@ENGRingSuccess.com or visit my website http://www.ENGRingSuccess.com Thanks to Spotify for making this podcast possible. If you want to see more of Engineering Success, make sure to follow on Spotify for more content.For the most up to date content, listen on your favorite audio provider:Main page: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/5nTK0zM3VzbGoogle Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81NTkzZDg5OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/engineering-success-podcast/id1569193027Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AnBWxE0BdY2dTmbAw4x1jand more!Music by Maxgotthetracks: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Pclog68AY1ArXm5PiApCX?si=Qp7j2eAyTHyV_R4_QLjbEA

1. 77 – AI to Get A Degree; Researching Your Future Team; Quit Job to Travel; Non-Engineering Tasks 53:27
2. 76 – Is Chemical Engineering Dangerous?; Project Controls; In-House Public Sector vs Consulting Firm 49:08
3. 75 – Email Etiquette; Un-Funded PhD; Hating Your Coursework; Personalization of Salaries 50:59
4. 74 – Unlocking the "Third Element" – Leverage Emotional Awareness into Career Success w/ Randy Lyman 48:33
5. 73 – From EIT to P.E. To VP, Leading Land Development Engineering Services with Joshua Tiner 57:38

Bikini Interview; No Fraternization; Good GPA; EngD; PE License vs. Masters; Terminated after Notice; 3-5 Years for Entry Level; First White Collar Job

by Daniel Dahlinger

We’re into a great cadence and it will keep on keeping on.

Don’t miss a blog post or a podcast episode, subscribe to my newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠www.ENGRingSuccess.com⁠⁠⁠

Support the on podcast on Anchor or on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ENGRingSuccess⁠⁠⁠

Top tier supporters – shout out each episode of the month for $10 monthly donation.

Follow along on all social medias: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/ENGRingSuccess⁠⁠⁠

To submit your question, email ⁠⁠⁠daniel@ENGRingSuccess.com⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn Lunatics/Career Craziness

⁠1. I interviewed a girl in her bikini the other day⁠

⁠2. Sent from my former boss to his staff⁠

College Advice

⁠3. What’s a “good” GPA in engineering?⁠

⁠4. What to do with 2.7/4 gpa?⁠

⁠5. Ut austin v.s Georgia Tech v.s Berkeley Undergrad⁠

⁠6. Should I pursue an EngD degree?⁠

⁠7. What makes a good Engineering School good?⁠

Career Questions

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠8. What do you think of a work environment where a lot of people send e-mails without taking care of how it looks (aesthetically and grammatically)?⁠

⁠⁠⁠9. PE license or Masters (Mechanical Engineering)?⁠

⁠⁠⁠10. Job told me to leave after I put in my notice⁠

⁠⁠⁠11. How to leave job when projects aren’t done?⁠⁠

⁠⁠12. For the love of all that is holy PLEASE stop putting jobs up as “entry” level and then ask for 3-5 years of experience.⁠

⁠⁠⁠13. When to tell company I accepted another offer?⁠

⁠⁠14. I run part of my husbands business, should I put that on my resume?⁠

⁠⁠15. Is it possible to start a structural firm straight out of college?⁠

⁠⁠16. (F) 28 Application Engineer salary don’t feel adequate⁠

⁠17. Just landed my first white collar job. Any advice?⁠

Subscribe on YouTube to watch short excerpts of podcast episodes addressing specific topics: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj86alc3a7_A_PibgYpkWFg  ⁠⁠⁠

Daniel is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Trinity University’s B.S. in Engineering Science and currently works in Commercial Management in the Engineering and Construction Consulting Industry.

All views expressed on this podcast are his own and do not reflect the opinions or views of his employer.

Music by Maxgotthetracks: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Pclog68AY1⁠

Support the on podcast on Anchor or on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ENGRingSuccess

Top tier supporters – shout out each episode of the month for $10 monthly donation.

Follow along on all social medias: https://linktr.ee/ENGRingSuccess

To submit your question, email daniel@ENGRingSuccess.com

LinkedIn Lunatics

1. Not what I expected to find on my LinkedIn feed

2. So, are we supposed to fall in love with commuting now?

3. Wife died unexpectedly so he posts about it on LinkedIn the next day and makes it about his career. Lunatic or not?

Career Questions

4. Is it laziness or lack of ambition if you don’t want to engage in hustle culture anymore?

5. Should I apply for a job if my vacation is in 2 weeks?

6. Is my direct report bullying me?

7. is it possible to get into top university with poor academics??

8. Anyone commute 70+ miles to work?

9. Just got terminated- what to do in this situation?

10. Boss found out I’m job hunting. How to walk back?

11. Do you have a secondary source of income? If so, what is it?

12. Any tips for a burned-out sophomore?

13. Where can I find companies that do 4 day work weeks and remote?

Subscribe on YouTube to watch short excerpts of podcast episodes addressing specific topics: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj86alc3a7_A_PibgYpkWFg  

Daniel is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Trinity University’s B.S. in Engineering Science and currently works in Commercial Management in the Engineering and Construction Consulting Industry.

All views expressed on this podcast are his own and do not reflect the opinions or views of his employer.

Music by Maxgotthetracks: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Pclog68AY1

by Daniel Dahlinger

Engineering is a diverse and rapidl

y evolving field that plays a critical role in shaping our world. As such, it’s essential for young professionals to stay competitive in the job market and stay on top of the latest industry trends and practices. One way to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field beyond getting your engineering degree is by obtaining an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification. In this article, we’ll explore why getting an EIT is important and how you can prepare for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, the first step towards gaining a Professional Engineer (PE) License.

The Importance of an EIT Certification An EIT certification is an official recognition that a young professional has completed a rigorous education and training program in engineering fundamentals. Obtaining an EIT certification demonstrates a level of competence and dedication that can help open doors to job opportunities and career advancement. It’s also a necessary step towards obtaining a PE License, which is required for certain engineering roles that directly impact public health and safety.

Preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam The FE exam is the first step towards obtaining an EIT certification. This exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of young engineering professionals in a variety of disciplines, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is offered in a computer-based format. The exam is typically offered twice a year, in April and October (this is the case for me in Texas), and the registration fee varies depending on the state or jurisdiction where the exam is being taken.

Preparing for the FE exam can appear like a daunting task, but there are many resources available to help young professionals succeed. The best time to take the exam is as soon as possible. The closer that you take it to your graduation date, the better. Additionally, there are numerous study guides, practice tests, and review courses available both online and in-person. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) provides a variety of (paid) resources to help young professionals prepare for the FE exam, including a comprehensive exam specification guide and practice exams. The NCEES also publishes pass rates for the FE exam on its website (https://ncees.org/engineering/fe/pass-rates/), which can be a useful benchmark for young professionals to gauge their preparedness. Additionally, with a little bit of creativity, I’m sure you can find some free resources (wink wink nudge nudge send me an email.)

Pass Rates for the FE Exam According to the NCEES, the average pass rate for the FE exam across all disciplines in 2021 was 74%. However, pass rates can vary depending on the discipline, with some disciplines having higher or lower pass rates than others. For example, the pass rate for the mechanical engineering discipline was 75%, while the pass rate for the electrical and computer engineering discipline was 66%. It’s important to note that the pass rate is not a reflection of the difficulty of the exam, but rather an indication of the preparedness of the test takers. And in my opinion, if you start preparing either while in school or right after graduating, with a few weeks of familiarizing yourself with the format of the questions and the exam reference guide, you’ll be exceptionally well prepared.

In conclusion, obtaining an EIT certification and eventually a PE License is a critical step in advancing your engineering career and demonstrating your knowledge and dedication to the field. Although preparing for the FE exam can SEEM challenging, there are many resources available to help you succeed. By taking advantage of these resources and preparing diligently, you can increase your chances of passing the exam and opening doors to exciting career opportunities.

Interested in paid resources? See non-affiliate links below (wink wink nudge nudge if you run one of these paid places PAY ME):

1. NCEES FE Exam Prep Materials: The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) offers a variety of exam prep materials, including practice exams, review courses, and study guides. You can find them all here: https://ncees.org/engineering/fe/prep-materials/.
2. PPI2Pass: PPI2Pass offers a variety of study materials, including review courses, practice exams, and flashcards. You can find their FE exam prep materials here: https://ppi2pass.com/fe-exam.
3. School of PE: School of PE offers online and on-demand review courses for the FE exam.

Not sure if you meet the eligibility requirements? Check your state’s professional engineering website:

1. Alabama: https://bels.alabama.gov/
2. Alaska: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/ProfessionalEngineers.aspx
3. Arizona: https://engineers.az.gov/
4. Arkansas: https://www.pels.arkansas.gov/
5. California: https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/
6. Colorado: https://dpo.colorado.gov/AES/Engineers
7. Connecticut: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing–Investigations/Engineers/Engineers
8. Delaware: https://dape.org/
9. Florida: https://fbpe.org/
10. Georgia: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/31
11. Hawaii: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/engineers/
12. Idaho: https://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=PEL&PkgID=PEL
13. Illinois: https://www.idfpr.com/profs/PE.asp
14. Indiana: https://www.in.gov/pla/pe.htm
15. Iowa: https://plb.iowa.gov/board/engineers-land-surveyors
16. Kansas: https://www.ksbtp.ks.gov/
17. Kentucky: https://pels.ky.gov/
18. Louisiana: https://www.lapels.com/
19. Maine: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/engineers/index.html
20. Maryland: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pe/
21. Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-professional-engineers-and-land-surveyors
22. Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27542—,00.html
23. Minnesota: https://mn.gov/aelslagid/boards/peel/
24. Mississippi: https://www.pepls.state.ms.us/
25. Missouri: https://pr.mo.gov/engineers.asp
26. Montana: https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/pel
27. Nebraska: https://ea.nebraska.gov/
28. Nevada: https://nvbpels.org/
29. New Hampshire: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/engineers/index.htm
30. New Jersey: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pels/Pages/default.aspx
31. New Mexico: https://www.sblpes.state.nm.us/
32. New York: https://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pels/
33. North Carolina: https://www.ncbels.org/
34. North Dakota: https://www.ndpelsboard.org/
35. Ohio: https://www.peps.ohio.gov/
36. Oklahoma: https://www.ok.gov/pels/index.html
37. Oregon: https://www.oregon.gov/boee/Pages/default.aspx
38. Pennsylvania: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/EngineersLandSurveyorsandGeologists/Pages/default.aspx
39. Rhode Island: https://www.bdp.ri.gov/professions/engineers/
40. South Carolina: https://llr.sc.gov/pels/
41. South Dakota: https://dlr.sd.gov/engineers/
42. Tennessee: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/pe.html
43. Texas: https://pels.texas.gov/

Broken link? Let me know at daniel@ENGRingSuccess.com

Daniel Dahlinger

(yes it’s more than just yet another free ad for Toastmasters)

Professional development is a crucial aspect of any engineering career. It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and innovations, as well as to continuously build your skills and knowledge to advance in your career. One way to pursue professional development is by seeking out various organizations and resources that offer opportunities for growth and learning. Below are some examples of resources that can help young professionals in engineering to build their careers.

Professional engineering associations are one of the most popular and comprehensive resources for professional development in the engineering industry. There are many professional organizations that cater to specific engineering disciplines, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). These organizations offer a wide range of resources and opportunities for professional development, such as conferences, webinars, and technical publications. Being a member of one or more of these organizations can help young professionals to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in their field, as well as network with other professionals in their industry.

Continuing education courses are another valuable resource for engineers seeking professional development opportunities. Many universities and colleges offer continuing education courses for engineers to build their skills and knowledge in specific areas. These courses can be taken online or in person, and can range from short workshops to more in-depth certificate programs. Examples of online platforms that offer engineering courses include Coursera, EdX, and MIT OpenCourseWare.

Industry certifications are also important for young professionals looking to advance in their careers. Certifications such as the Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is required for engineers who work on projects that directly impact public health and safety, demonstrate expertise in specific areas of engineering. Other certifications, such as the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or the LEED Green Associate, can demonstrate proficiency in energy management or sustainable design practices. Achieving industry certifications can help young professionals stand out from their peers and advance in their careers.

Toastmasters is a non-profit organization that helps people improve their public speaking and leadership skills through a network of local clubs. Participating in Toastmasters can help engineers develop their communication skills and build confidence when presenting their ideas or proposals to colleagues, clients, or stakeholders. Effective communication is critical for success in any career, and Toastmasters provides a supportive environment for individuals to develop their public speaking and leadership abilities.

In addition to these resources, many employers offer professional development opportunities for their employees, such as training programs, tuition reimbursement, and mentorship programs. It’s important for young professionals to take advantage of these opportunities and continuously invest in their professional growth and development. By pursuing professional development, engineers can not only improve their skills and knowledge, but also increase their value to their employers and advance in their careers.

In conclusion, pursuing professional development is essential for any engineering career. There are many different resources and opportunities available, including professional organizations, continuing education courses, industry certifications, and Toastmasters. By continuously building your skills and knowledge, you can advance in your career and make a greater impact in the engineering industry.

Interested to learn more? Links to all the organizations mentioned above here:

1. Professional engineering associations:

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME): https://www.asme.org/
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): https://www.ieee.org/
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): https://www.asce.org/

2. Continuing education courses:

• Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=engineering
• EdX: https://www.edx.org/learn/engineering
• MIT OpenCourseWare: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/engineering/

3. Industry certifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) License: https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/what-pe
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM): https://www.aeecenter.org/certifications/certified-energy-manager-cem
• LEED Green Associate: https://www.usgbc.org/credentials/leed-green-associate

4. Toastmasters:

• Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/