Episode Transcript
When you think of all the ways you manage your career: all the processes for reviewing and planning and training and mentoring. There’s a lot there. And to do it right takes a lot of your time.
So it’s nice to know that sometimes there’s a simple approach you can take that has significant impact.
Today I’ll show you a career hack that’s quick and easy. And will inspire breakthroughs in your engineering career.
Your formal performance reviews and professional development planning take up a lot of your time. And you have to get your real work done. So you probably don’t focus much on managing your career outside of those activities.
But I’m gonna give you a 5-minute pop-up activity that you can easily do at any time. It’s like a snap assessment or a pop quiz. And it will inspire your next career move.
So you’ll want to do this pop-up maybe a few times a year, when other career management activities aren’t happening.
It involves asking yourself 3 questions.
A 3-Question Career Assessment for Women Engineers
3 questions that are simple but essential. And a little deep. But it’s important you answer them in a jiffy. So don’t overthink them.
- The first question is: Are you where you want to be?
Not just, are you making progress. But are you where you want to be in your career?
Are you positioned to get what you want? Are you reaching your goals. Are you headed toward the realization of your vision?
- The second question is: What do you need right now?
What do you truly need in order to be where you want to be? You can take a couple seconds to expand your vista. And pay attention to what’s inspiring you.
- And the third question is: How can you get what you need?
How can you get what you need to boost your career? How can you get what you need to become the successful engineer you’ve envisioned yourself to be? Allow yourself to think big.
There are many ways to get the help you need. Including asking for help from your network and your mentors. And if coaching is what you need, I’m here to help you get where you want to be in your engineering career.
You can find out more about my signature program and fill out an application here.
A 5-minute Pop-Up to Quickly Assess Your Engineering Career
Those are the 3 questions you’ll be asking yourself during your 5-minute pop-up. And the 5-minute pop-up is a 4-step process that goes like this:
- Decide on the spot that you’re gonna do a pop-up assessment. Preferably at a positive time. Like when you’re taking a break from a favorite project.
- Relax. Stand up. Breathe. Look around. Go where there’s fresh air, if you can.
- Within 5 minutes, ask yourself the 3 questions that we just talked about. And jot down any inspiration that comes to mind.
- Save what you’ve captured. And revisit it later. When you’re working your development plan or otherwise strategizing your career. Or when you’re brainstorming future possibilities with colleagues or mentors.
That’s it. It’s basically a career heading check. 5-minutes is all you need.
Don’t go deep or overthink it. Simply put those questions out there, open your mind and capture what comes in.
You want to make it easy. But take it seriously and listen to what comes to you.
How a Simple Hack Can Inspire Breakthroughs in Your Engineering Career
Your pop-up assessment might result in a simple natural next step in your career. It might result in a new perspective for reaching one of your goals. Or it might result in a breakthrough that enables you to take a giant leap.
Why does this simple hack work?
- The pop-up assessment works because it’s tapping into your creative flow and picking up your first impressions, which are often the truest and most useful.
- It works because you’re not taxing your brain to come up with complex answers. It’s more like “Let me just look out over the landscape and see what’s good right now.”
- It works because it’s fun to see what inspires you in the moment. And to transform your inspirations into meaningful action.
It takes me longer to teach you how to do the pop-up than it takes to actually perform it. You’ll be motivated to do it because the return is significant with only an occasional investment of 5 minutes.
Try it. Try this pop-up and let me know how it works for you.
I think you’ll find that the results will push you further in your career. You’ll be inspired to ask for what you need. And to challenge yourself to get where you want to be.
It’s a great way to check in with yourself and follow up on what you need. To keep that extra edge in your career as an outstanding engineer.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast, we’ll explore some key indicators to help you manage your engineering career. Be sure to join me for Episode 96.
