As happens every now and then, you’re in the flow. You’re on top of your game as an engineer. 

Your projects are headed in the right direction. And you’re feeling like you’re making a strong contribution to their success.

But also, as happens now and then, you see the future of your career as a big question mark. 

So far so good. But how do you keep it moving? 

How do you stay on the right career trajectory? How do you know what’s coming up and when it’s time to make a shift?

You’re engaged in your work. You’re fully immersed in the engineering work that you love. 

And to answer these questions means interrupting your flow. Which you don’t really want to do right now.

But managing your career and being proactive about future opportunities is important too. 

At the very least you want to tend to your connections. You want to stay well connected so that your engineering career continues to soar.

Connections Are Critical for Realizing Your Engineering Career Vision

Even though the work you’re doing now is meaningful and impactful, it’ll eventually come to an end. Your current projects will wrap up and you’ll be on to the next

Putting a bit of time into the future of your career is a gift to yourself. And you’re what’s most important. 

Connections are critical for realizing your career vision. It’s people who help you get connected to other people and bring you opportunities in your engineering career. 

So taking time to continuously nurture your connections will go a long way to move you down your career path. 

10 Tips for Strengthening Your Engineering Career Connections

Here are 10 tips for developing and strengthening your connections. Practical ideas for how to do that. Actions you can take even while you’re in the flow of your work.

  1. Share communication preferences

Let people know what media you prefer. What time of day you like to meet. And the meeting frequency that works best for you. 

Try to mesh these with the preferences of others. But accommodate them when requesting their time. 

This eases meeting stress, results in better outcomes and thus builds stronger connections.

  1. Arrange face-to-face meetings whenever possible.

Even though online meetings are easy and available, they’re not ideal for networking

Face-to-face meetings allow for more effective communication.

You’ll get the most out of your conversation. Thus building stronger connections. And there’s a better chance you’ll get what you need.

  1. Reach out often to a person you can add to your network.

Do this monthly. More often is even better. Discover what you have in common. And find ways you can help each other.  

It’s a great opportunity to share your career message and expand your network.

  1. Meet with someone in your network for lunch or coffee every week. 

This is one of the best ways to maintain your network. It reinforces your connections while you exchange ideas and possible opportunities.

  1. Set up a periodic meeting time with your boss. 

It’s important that you make this a standing event. 

It allows you to stay current on your development plan. To ask for what you need. And to learn about the latest issues and ideas in your work area.

  1. Be a giver in your network.

When you can, offer something that will help the person you’re meeting with.

This is a reminder that, although it’s not always a one-for-one exchange, you want to do your part to keep it a 2-way relationship.

  1. Seek out and meet people who do work you’d like to do.

Ask about their stories and background. Find out how they got where they are. Ask for their insights, advice and feedback

This will help you get (or stay) on the right career path. And possibly gain an advocate.

  1. Take the opportunity to meet with higher level engineers, managers and leaders.

Schedule one-on-ones to ask for their input on issues and technology status. Ask about opportunities and get feedback on your career plan.

This’ll help you stay on their radar. And to learn what’s going on and what’s most important in the organization and the community.

  1. Find ways to get together with influencers in your technology area. 

Attend their presentations, meetings or conferences. Introduce yourself and share your career message.

Explore possible collaborations. And stay in touch with those whose interests overlap with yours.

These relationships can be key to connections beyond your organization and throughout the community.

  1. Stay engaged.

Pay attention to meetings and events and be there when appropriate. Attend and participate. Offer your opinions and ideas. 

Volunteer for activities outside your direct work to get exposure to other departments and groups. 

And if you feel left out, speak up. Let your boss and others know.

Because if you’re engaged, you’re more often included. You’re more likely to make more connections. And more opportunities will come to you.

And if you’re not engaged you lose out on all the things that help you get ahead and realize your engineering career vision. 

Your Future Self Appreciates Your Efforts to Connect in Your Engineering Career

Most of these actions are meant to fit right into your everyday work. They don’t all require extra time on your part.

I encourage you to put more emphasis on developing your career connections. And to make these practices a part of your routine.

Your future self will thank you. 

Because many of these connections will pay you back at times you will not be able to predict. 

And in magical ways that will make your engineering dream career a reality.

Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll explore ways to plan the next step in your engineering career. Be sure to tune in for Episode 131.