Engineering our Future: Helping Engineers Succeed In Career and Life

著者: Helping you leverage your unique skills for career success
  • サマリー

  • Luis Duque from Engineering our Future provides meaningful and educational conversations with some of the best and brightest engineers and professionals worldwide so you can stay ahead of the curve in your career. Learn what the best engineers are working on, creating, and teaching so you can develop the skills needed to maintain your role as a critical member of society. Since 2018, Luis has been volunteering, working, and creating content inspiring and empowers thousands of people. His career experience is broad for his relatively few years out of school

    engineeringourfuture.substack.com
    Luis Duque
    続きを読む 一部表示

あらすじ・解説

Luis Duque from Engineering our Future provides meaningful and educational conversations with some of the best and brightest engineers and professionals worldwide so you can stay ahead of the curve in your career. Learn what the best engineers are working on, creating, and teaching so you can develop the skills needed to maintain your role as a critical member of society. Since 2018, Luis has been volunteering, working, and creating content inspiring and empowers thousands of people. His career experience is broad for his relatively few years out of school

engineeringourfuture.substack.com
Luis Duque
エピソード
  • Engineering Growth: From Feedback to Promotion
    2025/04/16
    Episode at a Glance[01:10] – Our take on titles: It’s about impact, not labels[03:00] – The power of feedback: A 30% promotion boost[05:06] – KPIs and timelines: Clarity over subjectivity[10:32] – The PE reality: Milestone, not magic[13:00] – Advice for young engineers: Advocate for yourself[19:34] – Pitfalls: Don’t just show up—be proactive[24:42] – Wrap-up: Start with a conversationKey Takeaways* Feedback Fuels Growth: You’re 30% more likely to get promoted with regular feedback. Ask your manager what’s working and what isn’t—monthly.* KPIs Need Clarity: Know the expectations for the next level. Aim to hit most, not all, and get opportunities to prove yourself.* PE Isn’t a Magic Wand: It’s a milestone, not a promotion. Embrace the responsibility to show you’re ready for more.* Avoid the Bubble: Don’t just show up—go the extra mile, be visible, and set realistic expectations.Hey everyone! In today's episode, we're diving into something that's close to my heart - engineering promotions. This isn't just about getting a fancy new title or a bigger paycheck. It's about growing as a professional and making a real impact in our field.The Game-Changer: Feedback That Gets ResultsLet me share something powerful with you: you're 30% more likely to get promoted if you actively seek feedback. As my friend Nicolai puts it, "You don't need to be perfect to get promoted." It's all about showing you're ready to take on bigger responsibilities.Look, I get it. As engineers, we often hesitate to ask for feedback. We're perfectionists by nature, and nobody likes having their work questioned. But here's what I've learned: it's not about being perfect - it's about progress. Feedback helps you understand where you stand and where you're heading.Making Sense of KPIsLet's talk about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Nicolai has a great approach with his team. He tells them: "Here are the tasks for the next level - what can you start doing now?" I love how practical this is - you don't need to hit every single target, just show you're ready for more responsibility.I'll be honest with you - my journey hasn't always been smooth sailing. In previous roles, I felt like I wasn't getting opportunities to develop new skills. But now at Jacobs, seven months in, I have a clear roadmap. My supervisor has laid out exactly what I need: diversify my projects and strengthen my technical foundation. That clarity makes all the difference.The PE License Reality CheckGetting my PE was a huge milestone, but let me tell you - it's not a golden ticket. When Nicolai shared how his new boss barely acknowledged his PE, I felt that. When I passed mine, I recorded an episode saying something that really resonated with our listeners: "Pass or not, I became a better engineer just by studying."Here's the truth: your PE license doesn't automatically make you a project manager. You're still you the day after you pass. As Nicolai wisely points out, "Until you can win projects and put your name on a proposal, you're not a true project manager." It's about what you do with that credential that matters.Common Pitfalls to Watch Out ForNicolai shared three key insights from his team experiences.First, just showing up isn't enough. As he says, "I've never met somebody who becomes an expert in a 40-hour week." The best engineers - like those OpenRoads wizards - invest extra time learning and growing.Second, don't assume people notice your hard work. Nicolai told me about a young engineer burning out because nobody noticed their late nights. The lesson? Speak up! I learned this one the hard way - being quiet about your efforts doesn't help anyone.Third, keep your expectations in check. While Nicolai loves his team's enthusiasm, he warns against expecting too much too soon. A PE doesn't instantly make you a project manager. You need to understand what it really takes to advance.Your Next StepsHere's what I want you to take away: promotions start with you. Nicolai put it perfectly: "Reach out to your supervisor and share your aspirations." When I started at Jacobs, my manager and I had a great conversation about my path to becoming a task leader. That chat gave me more than goals - it gave me direction. If you're feeling stuck or unsure, speak up. You can't control your manager, but you can control your voice.This conversation energized me, and we've only scratched the surface! We'll definitely revisit promotions soon to talk more about timelines, networking, and skill-building. For now, remember: advocate for yourself, seek feedback, and focus on the growth that makes you promotion-ready. Keep engineering your future! Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe
    続きを読む 一部表示
    29 分
  • Morning Routine for Mental Health: Practices to Start Your Day Right
    2025/03/26
    In this enlightening episode of the Engineering Our Future Podcast, my co-host Nicolai Oliden and I explore the science and methodology behind effective morning routines, with a special focus on how they can enhance productivity and mental clarity for engineering professionals.Our Morning RoutinesNicolai starts his day early with his wife, dedicating 15 minutes to coffee and planning. He systematically reviews his daily objectives, showing how even busy engineers can maintain effective morning practices. I think this is crucial step that I often miss - taking 5 minutes to plan.As for me, I start my day at 4 AM. My routine focuses on two main components: physical activity in the form of a 60-minute workout, followed by mental preparation through reading and prayer. This approach keeps both my body and mind operating at peak efficiency.We draw inspiration from James Clear's "Atomic Habits" to discuss habit formation. Nicolai and I emphasize the importance of "trigger events" - like having a glass of water as the first action of the day. We've developed what we call "recursive habit stacking," where each completed action naturally leads to the next, creating a smooth flow of productive behaviors."A thoughtful exploration of how habit formation and preparation can lead to success, both personally and professionally."Making It WorkLike any good engineering solution, we understand that morning routines need flexibility. We discuss how to handle various disruptions, from unexpected work calls to family commitments, while maintaining the core elements of the routine.I've found that documenting my routine helps tremendously with consistency. For example, I time-block specific activities (morning hydration, meditation) and regularly review and optimize this schedule. This systematic approach allows for continuous improvement, much like how we refine our engineering processes.Our methodology builds upon Hal Elrod's "The Miracle Morning" framework, which we've adapted specifically for engineering professionals. We focus on measurable outcomes and continuous improvement, applying the same analytical mindset we use in our engineering work.Through our discussion, we emphasize that successful morning routines need proper preparation, including evening setup and strategic planning. We've designed our approach to be both robust and flexible, making it suitable for engineers across different disciplines and work schedules.Timeline (YouTube Chapters) * 00:00:00 - Introduction* 00:00:57 - Nicolai’s Current Morning Routine* 00:02:18 - Luis’s Current Morning Routine* 00:07:13 - Benefits of Morning Routines* 00:09:51 - Tips for Starting a Routine* 00:11:28 - Using Prompts and Habit Stacking* 00:15:25 - Handling Disruptions* 00:17:01 - Writing Down Your Routine* 00:20:05 - The Miracle Morning Book* 00:23:11 - Closing RemarksLessons and Takeaways* Start your day with a clear plan by dedicating 5-15 minutes each morning to reviewing your goals and objectives.* Incorporate physical activity and mental preparation into your morning routine to boost productivity and mental clarity.* Use "trigger events" and habit stacking to create a seamless flow of productive actions every morning.* Document and time-block your morning routine to ensure consistency and allow for continuous improvement.* Prepare the night before by setting up your environment and planning strategically to make your mornings more effective.Links and References* Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod* Atomic Habits by James Clear Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe
    続きを読む 一部表示
    24 分
  • The Planner Paradox: Paper, Pixels, and the Pursuit of Purpose
    2025/03/05

    In this episode of Engineering Our Future, Nicolai and I dig into the planner debate: physical versus digital. We share what works for us, the pros and cons of each, and how we make them play nice together. Whether you’re a paper purist or a digital disciple, you’ll find something to chew on here.

    Key Takeaways

    * Physical Planners: Boost focus, memory, and mindfulness. They’re distraction-free and force you to face your limits.

    * Digital Planners: Offer flexibility, collaboration, and long-term tracking. Perfect for team projects and big-picture goals.

    * The Hybrid Hack: Use digital for the macro (calendars, deadlines) and physical for the micro (daily tasks, notes). Balance is king.

    Timestamps

    * [00:00] – Welcome: Why planners matter for engineers

    * [02:06] – Why plan? Setting goals beats winging it

    * [03:43] – Paper’s perks: Mindfulness, memory, and finite space

    * [07:19] – Digital’s strengths: Calendars, collaboration, and flexibility

    * [14:43] – Our systems: How we mix paper and pixels

    * [26:07] – Bullet Journal 101: My go-to method

    * [29:02] – Final thoughts: Find your fit

    Resources Mentioned

    * Bullet Journal Method – A simple system for organizing tasks and notes

    * Notion – My digital hub for projects and podcast planning

    * OneNote – Nicolai’s note-taking powerhouse

    * Microsoft Teams – Collaboration made easy

    * Trello & Asana – Project management tools worth a look

    Listener Challenge

    Pick one: Try a physical planner for a week or test a new digital tool. See what sticks. Share your thoughts with us on social media.

    Stay Connected

    * Newsletter: Get weekly tips, ideas, and updates at luisfelippeduque.com/newsletter.

    * Coaching: Need help navigating your career? Check out luisfelippeduque.com/coaching.

    * Rate & Review: Help us grow on Apple Podcasts—your feedback fuels the show.



    Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe
    続きを読む 一部表示
    33 分

Engineering our Future: Helping Engineers Succeed In Career and Lifeに寄せられたリスナーの声

カスタマーレビュー:以下のタブを選択することで、他のサイトのレビューをご覧になれます。