I currently have several graduates preparing to start new roles, including a chemical engineer and an electronics engineer.
They have worked hard to secure these opportunities but now that the starting date is approaching, a different feeling is beginning to appear:
“What if I can’t do the work?”
This is extremely common among graduate engineers.
Many engineers have a strong sense of perfectionism.
They want:
• The perfect resume
• The perfect cover letter
• The perfect interview
• The perfect first job
• The perfect career
But engineering companies are not perfect.
The people working inside them are not perfect.
And you will not be perfect either.
Once you accept that, some of the pressure begins to disappear.
Feeling nervous before starting a professional role does not mean you are incapable.
It usually means you understand that the opportunity is important.
You are entering a profession built around problems.
Sometimes you will solve the problem yourself. Sometimes you will contribute one small piece of information. Sometimes you will work with several people before anyone understands what is going wrong.
That is engineering.
You are not expected to arrive on your first day knowing everything.
You are expected to arrive willing to listen, learn, ask questions and contribute.
Perfection is not the entry requirement.
A willingness to learn is.
Mark Healy
THE GRADUATE COACH™
If you want help getting started HIT the link below for a FREE 15 min call
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