Engineering Your Career

Dale W. Callahan, Ph.D., P.E.

Course Outline

Are you frustrated with your career? Do you wonder if you should be doing something else? This course takes a look at the skills needed to allow you to take control of your career by understanding how you are seen by corporate America, learning how to network, and thinking strategically about your career.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• be able to recognize the assumptions about the workforce brought about through years of education;
• understand some of the key realities of today’s world of work;
• understand what is meant (and not meant) by the term “job market”;
• understand key principles for success;
• understand the connection between formal education and success;
• be able to develop convincing evidence as to the value they bring to their organization;
• be able to find ways to add more value to their organization;
• be able to better manage relationships with their employer or customers;
• understand the true employer/employee relationship;
• understand the need for marketing themselves;
• understand the lack of value of resumes;
• be able to develop new networking opportunities;
• be able to network effectively in professional organizations;
• understand how to keep networks active;
• understand the process of uncovering new opportunities;
• better understand their personal assets and liabilities;
• be able to develop a personal vision/mission; and
• be able to develop a personal board of directors.
  
  

Intended Audience

This course is intended for anyone who is working for a living.

Benefit for Attendee

The student of this course is expected to take away an understanding of the “job market” and their role within it – which will allow them to take control of their career.

Course Introduction

This course examines the reasons behind the disillusionment of many corporate employees today. The course also provides successful paths out of this frustration. Instead of just discussing issues, actionable information is provided which will allow the individual to really get a better understanding of their role in the world of work.

The course begins with a look at the underlying educational system which planted ideas in our mind that are common assumptions Americans bring to the workplace. Key factors that separate the successful from the rest of us are examined - provided two paths to success. The critical skill of networking is not just talked about, actual education on how to do intentional networking is provided.  You will learn how to uncover opportunities like never before. Finally, the last chapter will be a strategic look at your career.

This material is a result of over 10 years or working with a engineers in an executive engineering graduate program. Over 100 companies large and small have been involved. Students have ranged from software developers to CEOs and entrepreneurs. Alumni to the program point to the material contained in this course as the key to changing their careers.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Course Content

The course content is in a PDF file (249 KB) Engineering Your Career.

Please click on the above underlined hypertexts to view, download or print the documents for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Table of Content

Introduction
Start Here!
They were wrong!
Two paths out of chaos
You are self employed
Networking with power
Thinking strategically

Course Summary

Career management is in your hands. The many frustrations we have in our work life are a result of our expectations which have been created by an out of date educational system. You can control your career by understand that you are self employed and that networking is a key skill for success. But all career plans start with a strategic plan only you can deliver.

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

---

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

---