Getting the hang of things
Getting the hang of things
(OP)
I started working about half a year ago straight out of college. I feel as though I should already have "the hang of things" but I don't. It's frustrating not really being sure if I am doing my work correctly and feeling like I didn't learn a lot from school. I ask a lot of questions however it's hard to get a hold of somebody since we are shortstaffed. I understand everyone is different and you can't really put time on it, but how long did it take some of you to get used to your first job?





RE: Getting the hang of things
That is usually the point in time when you decide its time to move on to your next job
Kevin Hammond
Mechanical Design Engineer
Derbyshire, UK
RE: Getting the hang of things
After your first 12 months - you should feel mildly comfortable and be able to handle say 80-90% of the work assuming that it is a bit repetitive.
You will spend the rest of your life figuring out the last 10%....there is ALWAYS something new and that's what makes Engineering fun and interesting.!!!
You are probably doing just fine -- hang in there - be inquisitive and have fun!!!
Good Luck!!
RE: Getting the hang of things
Serioulsy, I believe it was about a year of largely "OJ Self-T" before I started to have some confidence in the things I did all the time. Then something different would come up.
School is about fundamentals which will serve all your life, not about training for industry, but that's another rant.
Hang in there, you're doing the right things.
Regards,
Mike
RE: Getting the hang of things
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: Getting the hang of things
RE: Getting the hang of things
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Getting the hang of things
RE: Getting the hang of things
Just think, back then, I couldn't even spell anjinear, now I r 1!!
TTFN
RE: Getting the hang of things
RE: Getting the hang of things
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Getting the hang of things
At this point I'm not even doing what I went to college for so I'm completely lost most of the time, but I'm loving every minute of it because I'm basically getting paid to learn a new segment of the industry. Get used to asking questions and be prepared to do a lot of research on your own. If you can show that you did some of your own research before you asked somebody for the answer people will be a lot more willing to answer your questions (or at least point you in the right direction to find the answer).
Good luck and remember that you are not alone in feeling lost, I've been lost ever since I walked across the stage at graduation.
Cheers,
Kat
One after thought, you might look into joining a couple professional societies. Most of the ones I belong to have young member networks that are great resources for both technical information and also career questions like this.
RE: Getting the hang of things
I honestly don't expect to get babied but when they hired me they knew I was recent grad so sometimes it would be nice to have a little more guidance. I guess it doesn't make it easier when we are shortstaffed by about 5. I'm hanging in there.
RE: Getting the hang of things
Higher education teaches the student how to think problems thru and how and where to find the technical infornmation that is necessary to respond to the situation at hand.
The expertise that you desire will eventually sink in thu osmosis over a period of time by routinely performing your job duties.
RE: Getting the hang of things