Episode Transcript
There’s a time in your engineering career when you’ll experience a breakthrough.
In fact there will be many of them. Maybe you already know what I mean.
It’s a time when you feel like you’ve taken a meaningful step forward.
It might be a giant step or a baby step. But a significant breakthrough nonetheless.
And if you pay attention, you figure out that these breakthroughs occur after you take some kind of a risk.
After you put yourself out there in some way.
What does that even mean? And how do you know you’re doing it?
Putting yourself out there means stepping up or stepping forward.
It means making yourself visible.
It can mean advocating for yourself. Introducing yourself. Applying yourself.
Somehow making a move that involves stretching outside your box. Taking a chance.
And you know you’re doing it because you feel it. You feel fear and apprehension and vulnerability.
Build Your Confidence by Taking Risk in Your Engineering Career
Putting yourself out there is feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
It’s taking action because you know you’re ready, even though you don’t feel ready.
Of course this is not easy to do. Especially at first.
But this is where breakthroughs happen. And breakthroughs are critical for getting ahead in your career.
You need breakthroughs because they build your confidence and risk tolerance.
The more confidence and risk tolerance you have, the more motivated you are to keep moving forward.
And the easier this gets over time.
Breakthroughs get you noticed.
You become better known in your organization, your community and your area of expertise.
This visibility then helps you be better connected and get opportunities to make the contributions that propel you toward career fulfillment.
3 Ways to Put Yourself Out There in Your Engineering Career
Here are 3 ways to put yourself out there:
- Simply say yes to an opportunity, even with all its unknowns.
When I said yes to a production supervisory job in microelectronics, I had never been a supervisor.
And I knew nothing about microelectronics.
But saying yes gave me confidence that I could learn.
And it opened up a whole new world to me in manufacturing and leading edge technology.
- Be the first to take on a given challenge.
I once agreed to manage a pilot program demo-ing new techniques for manufacturing.
Like business practice optimization, integrated product teams, and lean manufacturing.
I was uneasy at first.
But once I dove in, the success and visibility of the program grew.
And it played a big role in launching my career.
- Offer your talents and skills in a completely different area.
Late in my career I decided to take my engineering skills outside the lab.
I moved from managing materials and manufacturing R&D to managing university relations.
Many of my skills were transferrable.
And at the same time I discovered a whole new set of them.
Breakthroughs: a Common Theme Among Successful Women Engineers
Many of the women engineers I interviewed for my upcoming book shared stories about their breakthroughs that resulted from putting themselves out there.
It’s a common theme. And a key part of their successes.
Some took on challenges that seemed insurmountable.
Some stepped into roles beyond any they’d done before.
Some moved into different technology areas, shifted into consulting, jumped into managing much larger projects and groups of people, or took the leap into executive ranks.
Over and over I heard the phrase “I never thought…”
- I never thought I’d be where I am now.
- I went places I never thought I would go.
- I never thought I would’ve taken this path.
And every story had its breakthrough. They said things like:
- It got me on the right track.
- It led me to great opportunities.
- It was a life-changing and formative experience.
- I found my strengths and saw what I could handle.
- I gained confidence and had more impact.
- It gave me a sense of fulfillment.
Have courage to put yourself and your ideas out there.
Apply your talents toward something you know is right.
Something you know will work.
Or something that’s different than how it’s always been done.
Because these are the actions that lead to your breakthroughs.
To opportunities where you can make a difference.
And thrive in a much more fulfilling career.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast, I’ll share with you the top career advice from experienced women engineers.
So be sure to tune in for Episode 174.