Working alone
Working alone
(OP)
Hi everybody,
I work since 7 months and I am doing research on a very interesting subject to me.
Most of the time I am working alone (I do research in a production place, where mostly people are product/process engineers).
It is my first experience, I am in a foreign country, I am not real confident, but working alone is the most harder for my motivation.
I spoke several times with my manager, he gave me other little projects in which I have more "communication". However in my main subject I have to work alone. And I would prefer to be in a team, and not alone.
Any advice?
mereaux
I work since 7 months and I am doing research on a very interesting subject to me.
Most of the time I am working alone (I do research in a production place, where mostly people are product/process engineers).
It is my first experience, I am in a foreign country, I am not real confident, but working alone is the most harder for my motivation.
I spoke several times with my manager, he gave me other little projects in which I have more "communication". However in my main subject I have to work alone. And I would prefer to be in a team, and not alone.
Any advice?
mereaux





RE: Working alone
Regards,
RE: Working alone
HVAC68
RE: Working alone
Also it can be worth talking to your boss for half an hour or so each week, just to keep him up to speed (doesn't work for me, but hey).
Personally, I really enjoy working by myself, but I can imagine that working in a foreign country as well might be a bit too much solitude.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Working alone
corus
RE: Working alone
APH
RE: Working alone
The last weeks I tried to encourage more people to have interest in what I am doing. I get more contacts like this and it make me life better. I go every time to people who know the process. It is not really a team, but I think with perseverance I can get one... At least I involved more people…
GregLocock, I have not really a customer, the customer is the company who wants to develop an extra activity here. And it is really hard, I arrived they say me, do what you want….. (Not exactly like this), it took me 3.5 months to find a nice subject. But it is a challenge that is why I accept the job!
I begin to use to have lonely day every day. However if I think in one year I will try to get another position. I am convinced I am a team worker!
Mereaux
RE: Working alone
Mereaux,
If you have any flexibility in research topics, pick one that might be of interest to your coworkers, then offer to do a presentation of the information you have uncovered. Ask for input, questions and suggestions.
If it involves outside vendors, you can invite outside sales or technical representatives come in and do a lunchtime presentation. Sometime they will even provide lunch. Let everyone know ahead of time. Ask their availability. Sometimes casual conversations can be a good motivator for people, especially if you take an active interest in their lives.
RE: Working alone
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.