Off to Work We Go The Transition

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Off to Work We GoThe Transition

• David Markley, P.E.
• Transportation Solutions, Inc.

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Where Will It Take Me? (Where Will You Take It?)

1. Get a Running Start
2. What Should You Expect?
3. Leveraging Your Career?

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I. Get a Running Start

• Prepare Yourself
• Figure Yourself Out
• Select Your Employer

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Prepare Yourself

• Education
• BSCE is Basic
• Get More If You Can
• Experience
• Emotional Intelligence
• Street Smarts
• School of Hard Knocks
• Examples of Work
• Sole Source Examples
• Written Work

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Who am I?

• What Rings Your Bell?
• How am I Wired?
• How am I Unique?

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Select Your Employer(Dont only let them select
you)

• Big or Small
• Private or Public

• Prepare and Investigate
• Ask Them Questions

Private Public
Self Supporting Institutional Stability
Fluctuates with Economy Fluctuates with Legislature
Rewards for Good Work Rewards are More Prescribed
Leading Edge Learning Broad-Based Learning
Focused Clientele Public and Elected Officials
Select Type of Work You Do More Limited Variety
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II. What Should I Expect?(What is Around the
Corner?)

• Reversed Roles
• Finding Answers versus Solving Problems
• The Balancing Act
• You are Playing for Keeps

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Reversed Roles
Attribute College Working World
Compensation You Pay You Get Paid
Producers Professors for You You for Client or Public
Relative Position Seniors Entry-Level
Experience Know the Ropes New Learning Environment
Knowledge Little About a Lot A Lot About a Specialty
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Finding Answers versusSolving Problems
Attribute College Working World
Problem Statement Inputs / Givens Provided for You You Need to Determine
Assumptions Limited Number Many Assumptions
Approach Single Method Multiple Methods
Answers vs. Solutions Single Correct Answer Multiple Answers to a Solution
Considerations/ Context Mostly Technical Multi-Dimensional
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The Balancing Act

• Quality
• Schedule
• Budget
• Value

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You are Playing for Keeps

• It Counts
• Recurring Mistakes equals Loss of Confidence
• Poor Judgment equals Loss of Responsibility
• Failure equals Slower Advancement (Fired, Sued)

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III. Leveraging Your Career?(A Job or A Career?)

• You Must be Present to Win
• Communication is the Key
• The Answer is in the Questions
• Distinguish Yourself
• Do the Right Thing
• Build Relationships

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You Must be Present to Win

• Show Up On or Ahead of Time
• Ask to Be Involved (Even if You Dont Get Paid)
• Be The Go To person (Go the Extra Yard)

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Communication is the Answer

• Listen and Hear
• Observe and Understand
• Ask Relevant Questions
• Speak Carefully
• Write Clearly Concisely
• Become Self-Critical
• Understand Context
• Platinum Rule

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The Answer is in the Questions

• What?
• Why?
• When?
• Who?
• Where?
• How?
• How Much?
• So What?

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Distinguish Yourself(The Right Way)

• Be Polite and Dress the Part
• Continuous Learning (Invest Early)
• Professional Engineering Registration
  (Critical to Advancement)
• Professional Organization Participation
• Keep Up on Current Events

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Do The Right Thing(Ethics for Dummies)

• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to ALL Concerned?
• Will it Build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to ALL Concerned?

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Build Relationships

• Within Your Firm, Team, Profession
• Multiply Your Knowledge Base

• Golden Rule
• Platinum Rule
• Take a Genuine Interest

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Summary

• Big Challenges and Big Changes Ahead
• Unlimited Opportunity
• Stick to the Basics
• Look for the Right Fit

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Off to Work We GoThe Transition

• David Markley, P.E.
• Transportation Solutions, Inc.
• [phone]