First day jitters
First day jitters
(OP)
Hi, I am a recently graduated mechanical engineer. I am about to start a new job working for a company that designs/fabricates equipment for various industries: timber, meat, quarrying etc. I have a few questions regarding the big first day, and for that matter the first few months. Maybe some of the more experienced members of this forum can give me a few hints.
What do you think I should spend the first couple of weeks doing? Aside from locating the break room, getting lost, figuring out why my computer won't go, getting lost again, talking to the guys etc, and trying to work out what it is that we actually do?
If any of you employ graduate engineers or have them working for you, what could a new graduate do to show they were enthusiastic, hard working, keen to get established in the company etc?
I'm sure this topic has been discussed to death, but I thought I'd ask anyway and brace myself for the wave of "this topic has already been discussed!" posts. To those who do take the time to respond – Next rounds on me!
What do you think I should spend the first couple of weeks doing? Aside from locating the break room, getting lost, figuring out why my computer won't go, getting lost again, talking to the guys etc, and trying to work out what it is that we actually do?
If any of you employ graduate engineers or have them working for you, what could a new graduate do to show they were enthusiastic, hard working, keen to get established in the company etc?
I'm sure this topic has been discussed to death, but I thought I'd ask anyway and brace myself for the wave of "this topic has already been discussed!" posts. To those who do take the time to respond – Next rounds on me!





RE: First day jitters
Ask questions, note the answers in a log book or similar so you don't have to ask again. Also, as much as possible, think through the problem, do some research before asking the question. I prefer to be asked "I was thinking of doing it like this, do you agree" than "how do I do this" though sometimes the latter is appropriate.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: First day jitters
Also, I wouldn't worry about getting thrown into the deep end, although I would at some point in my mind be prepared for it. At larger companies, and depending on your supervisor, your initial tasks will likely be things you can't screw up too badly and you'll be watched closely to prevent uh-ohs. However, I was lucky enough to end up at a small company as the only kid with an engineering degree and told, "We would like you to design a new product from the ground up. Go." The point of this is that if an idiot like me can pull it off, anyone can.
Oh yeah, this topic has already been discussed!! :)
Sorry. Couldn't resist. In all seriousitude, you're going to want to learn as much about everything as quickly as you can to show your boss that you're on the ball. Your boss has been budgeted X number of training hours to get you up to speed. If you're able to come in under that number of hours, you will have both saved him some overhead costs on his budget and proven that you're swifter than they thought you'd be. That's a good way to make him more comfortable with giving you a little bit of extra leash to run around on since you've proven you're such a capable learner.
RE: First day jitters
When you find a knowledgeable well experienced craftsman, get to know him and get to know what he knows. No matter how cranky (or anti engineer) these individuals come across they are full of priceless knowledge and will be eager to teach someone willing to learn.
RE: First day jitters
My second bit of advice is to keep "brilliant" ideas to yourself for a little while; let them stew. If you have what you think is a great idea, it may be, but you may also need to understand things better. I wrote down all of my "brilliant" ideas the first couple of weeks. When I came back to them after a few months, some of them were ridiculous, but others are now being implemented. It's sometimes hard to gage the value of an idea until you really understand things.
Best of luck!
RE: First day jitters
Try and find out if the company has any standards or common products, and research them. Look at the drawings and determine what each component is there for, why it's located where it is, why it's bolted versus welded on, etc. You can also get information from this such as if it's standard procedure to use lock washers and things like that. The person checking your work may not really notice that you included them, but they would surely notice if they had to add them all in.
That's all I can think of at the moment. Congrats on the graduation and good luck in the job. Nice name too!
- MechEng2005
RE: First day jitters
I am not sure what your job is, but chances are you'll need their knowledge more often than your knowledge of third year calc.
RE: First day jitters
Get a log book, write everything down that you can. No one expects you to memorize everything the first day/week/month, but they also don't want to tell you the same things over and over.
As a first job, you're probably going to get stuck processing Engineering Change Orders. Don't be afraid to walk out into the production floor (if you have one) and talk with the workers there. Try to determine if changes are design or process related.
As a first job, you're probably going to get stuck doing a project that has been pawned-off to various people for various reasons. Do it in stride.
If you don't have a feel for the company culture, wear a tie your first day. You'll be able to tell pretty quickly if you should take it off before lunch. It's easier to dress-down at work than it is to dress-up if needed.
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: First day jitters
Ask your boss for (or find) a good mentor (they don't even need to be an engineer to help you)!
One thing to keep in the back of your mind which is not thought anywhere in school is office politics and personalities. Most engineers just want to do their job but unfortunately, there are politics in the offices, and understanding them to some extent will help you C.Y.A. (cover you're a$$) and with a little luck they can even help you.
Best of Luck
RE: First day jitters
I am impressed by a new engineer that hits the ground running with a focus on learning, tackling problems and getting the job done. If you have that focus rather than a focus on impressing people, then people will be impressed.
=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.
RE: First day jitters
But make note of the answers and try to make sure that you dont ask the same questions twice!