To P.E. or not to P.E. ………. Is that the Question?

Discussion of the Technical Gap You May Have when Pursuing an Engineering Management Position

2013 SWE Conference

Suzanne ShawManager Distribution Standards & Equipment

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$79

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Session Description

• Learning objective: Learn how levels of education and certifications contribute to hiring decisions and technical management success. Use information presented to develop your career plan.

• Topics of Discussion• Hiring manager and human resources expectations • SWE membership knowledge diversity exercise• Skills and Technical Expertise• Approach for understanding gaps

To P.E. or not to P.E. ………. Is that the Question?

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• Credentials may count more depending on your choice of Technical vs. Leadership path and other factors• What field you are looking to enter• Entry level vs. more senior levels• Internal vs. external job opportunity• Large company vs. small• Highly process oriented vs. entrepreneurial

• Resumes are often the initial filter that gets you “in the door” – differentiate yourself, share key accomplishments

Hiring manager and human resources expectations

• Research job openings or job descriptions

• Ask your human resources people or school counselors for information

• Talk to other engineering managers, directors, Vice Presidents, etc.

• Explore professional organizations / societies

• Review the Industry

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Discuss Management & Technical expertise needed to manage technical / engineering people•Let’s explore and utilize the awesome knowledge and diversity of SWE

•Use this time to make some contacts and learn from each other

•Discuss management skills

• What has worked for you?

• What have you seen work well?

• What skills are important? •Are there types of skills that are more important than others – why?

•How did you gain these skills?

•Discuss technical expertise

• How technical do you need to be?

• Do you need to know everything your team knows?

• How did you learn the level of technical expertise you needed as a manager?

• Benefits of staying technical?

• Do you have an recommendations for others?

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Skills and Technical Expertise

•What bubbles to the top?

•Building personal relationships

•Communication skills

•Organization skills

•Delegation skills

•Understanding the organization and how it works

•Understanding your team’s roles

•Understanding your role – as a manager

•Coaching

•Mentoring

•Leading by example

•Networking internally and externally

•Technical competence

•Membership and participation in professional organizations

•Project management

•Continuing education

•Additional “credentials”

•Keeping up with new technologies and developments in your field or business

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One Approach for Understanding Knowledge Gaps

• Review team goals and projects in current year and previous years

• Make a list of all recurring management level presentations and reports your team is responsible to provide

• Identify all professional organizations your team is part of and how they believe the team or organization benefits

• Understand the credentials of everyone on your team

• Inventory the systems and software used by the team

• Identify training needs of the team and how more experienced members gained their knowledge

• List any internal and external stakeholders that depend on your team for information (and what type)

• Organize the type of information being provided into skill sets

• Use the information above to develop / confirm your roles and team roles

• Develop a knowledge gap assessment

• Make a plan to address knowledge gaps

• Don’t forget to include your own gaps, include managing skills !!!

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Summary

• Learning new skills can be challenging and rewarding (and sometimes a little scary)

• Planning your career takes practice, time, and focus

• Utilize your networks and get help from others

• Make sure your goals are right for you and get you where you want to go

• Supporting others and helping to make them successful makes you a success!!

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SUCCESS

YOU being the best at “FILL IN BLANK” …..makes everyone better

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QUESTIONS?