Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Ever feel like you're in over your head?
(OP)
I'm having one of those days where I just feel inadequate for my job. I just feel like all of this engineering stuff is too much for my somewhat feeble brain. I'm not contemplating a career move or anything but I just get like this sometimes. I just feel like I've gotten myself in over my head. I was never a straight "a" student in high school and I kind of fell into engineering by mistake while I was looking for a major change in college. I worked my butt off to finish with good grades and land a job but sometimes I just can't shake the feeling that I'm not smart enough for this line of work.
Anyone else ever get like this from time to time?





RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I've spent most of my career wondering when "they'd" figure out that I'd snuck through... somehow I keep fooling them. I think the fear keeps me motivated, and makes me double-check my work more thoroughly.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Member number 3!
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I totally agree with ivymike. This is a hard job, and there is no way to know everything. I keep telling myself that "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." Getting going might mean doing research, getting expert opinions, thinking really hard (sometimes for days), drawing something to a large scale, etc. Getting going might also mean telling my boss that I am being asked to do something that is out of my discipline.
If you run across something you cannot solve, it is important to be vocal about it early in the project. Don't just sit on it until it is too late.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
This sense has slowly diminished over the years and now I do realize just how similar we engineers are in terms of self-identity and self-confidence as well as how we think, what we know, etc. This Eng-Tips site goes a long way to showing how similar we all are.
bradpa77 - don't know how many years experience you have, but if you are fairly young, I'd suggest you just keep plugging along and do your best. You will probably find your best is beyond what you imagine.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Ignoring the intellectual satisfaction, new challenges and exercising your "little gray cells" is purported to reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's.
TTFN
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I read recently that 'FEAR' is by far the biggest motivator in modern (working-middle class) society.
As my dad would say, "Welcome to life."
Wes C.
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Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
The first thing my first boss told me was that I'll never feel comfortable.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I worked with a great stress analysis guy that has a nickname, "The King". He also told me about dreams he has that are similar.
Do your best. Accept advise from others and stay humble. You will go far!
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Don't worry, most engineers feel like you do. I do. That's why there are several fields within an engineering field. For example, in my case, I mostly work on high power for buildings, but how about doing big "electrical" substation, or when they talk about electronics. When I get electrical plans like those, I have no idea what are they talking about sometimes (even though is electrical engineering related) However, I agree with the above comments, when you have "fear" about a design you double or triple check it, ask some questions here and there, that's engineering, avoid failure, making sure its done right.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Thanks guys. That's the sort of responses I was hoping to hear. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who sometimes gets overwhelmed at work. Keep the great replies coming, they are helping me to feel much better. Thanks.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Yes, bradpa77 you are certainly not alone, you have to keep exercising your brain cells and keep plugging away all the time in engineering - it would be boring otherwise - you might surprise yourself and people will start to look up to you and consult you for your knowledge.
All the best
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Gaufridus, sound like you have a frigging fantastically cool job! Sign me up!
Wes C.
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Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
muuhaahaahaahaa!!
TTFN
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
The best boss I ever had told me that the trick to being able to sleep at night is knowing what you don't know, and never being afraid to say you've reached the limits of what you do know. That way you put yourself on the path of continuous learning which to me is the adventure of engineering.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I'm hoping the balance will eventually tip more towards the former than the latter but I'm sure that both will be in the mix for the rest of my career.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I did a project once that had three key concepts that had never been "solved" by anyone. When I bid on the job I outlined my approach to solving them and described the uncertainty of my being able to solve them. The project was approved and the first black hole turned out to be pretty tough but solveable, the second was impossible (for me) but there was a work around, and the third turned out to be a subset of the first. The project cost millions and returned billions. Everyone was happy. They never knew how frightened and uncertain I was at the kick-off meeting.
David
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Wonderfully said. I couldn't agree more. I gave you a big fat star for that one. I'm glad someone reminded me of that.
I totally agree that over-confidence can be a dangerous thing. I have a co-worker here who is a know-it-all. He just seems so smart. He always has the answers. He always believes his answers are correct. He very good at convincing everyone that he is correct. But just like everyone else, he is human and cannot possibly know everything. The truth of the matter is that he is extremely good at bs. He is one of the reasons I get down on myself and I sometimes forget that he just likes to sound smart and spout out bs so he looks good to the bosses. One of these days he might get himself in trouble with his over-confindence.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Who are you refering to?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
That is what makes this web site great! If you need an opinion YOU GET IT!
If it is totally a technical problem, and your stumped, still talking it out with someone will sometimes present an answer or approach to solve the problem.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I was thinking that your problem was more environment than anything else. That is why I like working with a good team and hate working by myself. There is no one to improve on your ideas or share in the risks.
A good boss can make all the difference in building your confidence or making your question your every decision.
A process that has checks and balances also helps. If there is none to check your work or approve things every problem is turned into a personal issue instead of a risk of doing business.
The way thigns seem to work is that once you get good at something you are given something new to learn how to do.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Oh, ok. That was me. I just wanted to make sure that comment was directed at me before I responded.
You just have to trust me on this one. I've known the guy for almost 5 years and I can say with certainty that half of the stuff out of his mouth is BS without a doubt. I know this because I have caught him numerous times talking about things that are flat out wrong with just as much confidence as if he was an absolute expert on the subject. I just can't stand it. nobody knows everything and I have never heard the words "I don't know" come out of his mouth. If you ask him a question, he always has the answer. Even if it's a question that really has no "correct" answer.
Is it jealousy? No. I'm not jealous of the guy. I don't want to be like him at all. I just can't handle people who try to razzle and dazzle the bosses with fake information. I just hope my bosses are bright enough to see through it because I would be livid if he got promoted to some management position or something because of his ability to sound smart.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
So remember everyone can use google.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, than to open it and remove all doubt. – Mark Twain
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
My wife and friends don't understand why I sit at my desk (home office) working out equations and reading my engineering books. It's because the fields of engineering and technology are constantly changing. I consider it an investment in my future
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
According to non-engineers, we're expected to know what we're talking about, why disappoint them ;)
Although being prepped for further questions (by studying up) is also great.
Continuing education is the reason I like this career. The BS is why I love it ;)
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Nice quote ziggi.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
TTFN
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I decided to look for something where I could grow further. I moved, do similar work to a portion of my last job, with very different soils and people overseeing my work. I am now back to where I started: unsure, and often wondering if they will keep me. I know I am doing a good job, but it feels different than knowing I am on top. Oddly enough, it makes me feel like I am progressing.
You will only stop struggling when you stop climbing the learning curve. It also means you are not getting any smarter.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I'm a bit puzzled by this BSer. If he really is wrong HALF the time then he is very lucky to have survived 5 years. In which case I am reminded of Heinlein's quote "It is better to be lucky than clever".
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
bradpa77...I've been doing this for about 30 years and just as others have said, it's that fear of being wrong, being inadequate, or just being a little less smart than the next guy that motivates and drives us. It's the inherent dilemma of a problem solver...which is exactly what we are.
To me, almost everthing is a challenge...some are small challenges that get resolved with almost no second thought, while others get close to brain damage...but I get charged up by the process and the solution. I thoroughly enjoy being an engineer (OK...maybe some of those challenges did some brain damage). If I were smarter I'd be doing something else that makes real money!
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Isn’t feeling slightly out of your depth what makes our jobs fun? Just as you think you have mastered one small thing someone comes along with a new process and you are back to square one again.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
"Only teenagers and fools know everything. I once worked with a guy who had a great saying for his teenage son “One day son you will know as little as me”"
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Realizing that sometimes you don't know exactly what you are doing forces you to dig deeper and often times leads to new discoveries.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
That is one of the great things about engineering jobs, your job is to keep learning.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
In my expeience (Aerospace/Defense mainly) we very often have to provide analysis in advance of testing as a formal contract item to the customer. And in other instances the customer may have to supply us analysis data to assist in our design. What I have found over the years is that many engineers are very reluctant to supply detailed calculations outside their own organization and become very defensive and argumentative when any of their assumptions are questions. Is it insecurity? Anyone else seen this?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
Displaying confidence when you don't know what you're talking about is DANGEROUS. Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous, stupid, and a bad idea.
The only exception to this is if you're confidently giving what you KNOW is a conservative approach that will work, and what you don't really know is whether there's a less conservative way to do it.
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
It also helps to know what you know in intimate detail. That instills confidence. But, you also need to know how to distill that detail for your audience.
Conversely, there's nothing more disconcerting than to see an engineer looking puzzled when he's staring at his own Powerpoint charts.
TTFN
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I am not condoning making decisions when you do not know what you are talking about, that is stupid and dangerous.
But, you can display confidence without making stupid, forced decisions, if you do not really know what you are doing.
On the other hand, if you look like you have no clue, doesn't matter if you learn it in the future or not, nobody will ask you again.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I felt like that about ½ - 2/3 of the time at my last job (my former colleagues may argue I was out of my depth most of the time) and almost all the time at my present job.
I tried telling my current manager this and he basically laughed
While I get the idea of being stretched etc leading to growth sometimes I think I’d like an hour or two off the rack!
Being stretched in my own field or in a field where I think I can either learn or find someone to help is one thing.
Being stretched in a field I know nothing about, no one in the company seems to know much about and the supplier only understands their product, not how we’re going to use it, pretty much sucks.
OK, flood gates sured up for now.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
I try do do my own training and get my own tools to make some progress all the time, but if I haven't guessed correctly which details I might need, I've found asking for more time and applying copious skull-sweat generally does keep me and my work well on the safe side. If it didn't, I'd fess up. I'd rather be let go than have someone get hurt or dead. I've only had to do it once, but I'd do it again despite how hard it was.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?
The going really gets really tough when those resources just don't exist ... yet. There simply isn't anyone to ask and no amount of training can help. You are responsible for solving some previously unsolved problem, or coming up with a new process. This is when lateral thinking and analogy with other areas comes into play and makes the job exciting, if a little scary.
RE: Ever feel like you're in over your head?