TECC 149: The Importance of a Big Picture Outlook in your Engineering Career

In this episode, I talk to Joe Cohan, a practicing civil engineer, and we discuss the importance of a big picture outlook in your engineering career as well as how to continuously improve yourself. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on the importance of a big picture outlook in your engineering career. It’s important to take a step back and to look what the overall picture is in your work and life. Look at things from a larger perspective and take the opportunity to oversee the project as this will help you in the long run. Make sure you take your EIT test while you are in college as it is still fresh in your mind then and easier to pass. If you see things happening over and over, that are not working out in your engineering career, think about how you can change things going forward. A big picture outlook in your engineering career will enable you to see some of the patterns that continue to happen and that you would like to change. The first 90 days are critical to a new role in any work position, so keep indoctrinating yourself. A big picture outlook in your engineering career allows you to set goals and make adjustments so you can see how you are progressing towards your goals. More in this episode… In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I will give you a framework that you can use to create a big picture outlook in your engineering career. About Joe Cohan Joe Cohan is a senior project manager with nearly 20 years of overall engineering and management experience. He has worked on wide varieties of land development projects including single family and multi-family residential, commercial development, restaurants, hotels, water parks, schools, business campuses, mixed-use and industrial sites. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California and is registered as a professional civil engineer in California and Texas. Joe has over Seven years of progressively responsible project management experience coordinating extensively with clients, team members, contractors and public agencies in the successful completion of development projects as well as four years of experience in the US Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps as both a member of the Resident Officer In Charge of Construction office at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and as a Facilities Officer at Special Boat Squadron One in Coronado, CA. “Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” -  Dwayne Johnson Resources and links mentioned in this session include: Joe Cohan’s LinkedIn Profile The Engineering Mastermind One-On-One Career Coaching for Engineers This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of FE, PE, or SE exam preparations. Use promo code COACH for 20% discount at PPI2Pass.com/coach. How important is a big picture outlook in your Engineering Career? We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on the importance of a big picture outlook in your engineering career. Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below. If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download. Download the Productivity Routines To your success, Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP Engineering Management Institute Author of Engineer Your Own Success