I am starting a new job, I have worries - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jonwilhelmjr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 04:38:18 pm
content: So I'm starting a new job this Monday. First time ever having the title of electrical engineer. The past 10 years I have been treated as here's your desk and find out what's wrong with this equipment. When you find out what's wrong fix it and move on to the next one. Then if you have any questions let me know. I go to them with questions and they are very busy and I get as little info as possible to get me to leave. Is this common in the electrical engineering space or have I came across the few that don't take the time to make sure I understand? I always have felt like I am asking too many questions and showing I don't know what I am doing because I asked so many questions. If I have not made it clear my past positions have been industrial maintenance. I have my electrical and Computer Engineering technology bachelor degree where I had many military credits transfered and I really only took the first 2 years of classes. So I have the basic circuit theory and semiconductor theory.In the interview they told me I will start on designing the stepdown switching converters and build from there. Ok so I have read some app notes to prepare myself. Will I hit a brick wall with dynamic loading or is it all easy going with the typical RCL and semiconductor part choices? I worry I will get settled in and keep up with the "we don't want to scare you off" stuff and then once I'm settled in I'm dumped with alot of challenges I don't know how to solve and I will be let go because I hit the brick wall. And when I am hit with all these challenges I'm struggling with I will not get the support I need to get unstuck. As an apology, I got my truck stuck in the mud and I ask for help to only get a winch thrown at me and no trees to anchor to. I feel this way because that's how I have been treated. Please help me with my concerns 🙏

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 04:57:47 pm
content: It is normal to be worried about starting a new job. Do not worry to much, once you start you will realize they hired you because you know stuff the company needs and you will have a manager who will coach you. Find a mentor as soon as possible to guide you through the maze.And don't be afraid to make mistakes, you will learn a lot from them (mistakes)

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 06:48:16 pm
content: It's a combination of fear of the unknown and lack of self confidence. Worrying whether you will succeed is counter to your best interests.If you go into a job eagerly, excited about working on stuff you love, you will succeed. If you go in with less than that, you probably will be your own worst enemy.So it's a combination of technical expertise and psychology. Nobody can help you but yourself; just hope someone will be around for guidance.

author: indeterminatus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 08:29:37 pm
content: To me, your previous work environment sounds toxic. I would definitely not enjoy working that way.It sounds wise to re-shuffle your cards. Whatever's ahead of you, is surely better than the past. I wish you all the best!Mistakes are good for improvement (as long as they're not so grave as to put the company's existance at risk; but then one might argue it's the company's fault to hand a loaded weapon to someone new). Never waste a good mistake![edit: fixed grammar mistakes; what was I thinking?!]

author: jonwilhelmjr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 08:53:23 pm
content: I really like your comparison to the loaded gun. In my past positions I have felt like the toddler who was handed the gun and told not to shoot my eye out. Now granted I have worked where the place was dangerous like a gun and places where it is dangerous like a cap gun. In my view point it doesn't matter how dangerous of work that you are doing. I am just looking for an employer/co-workers who are willing to lead me down a path of mistakes that i will turn into success.The other aspect of the concern is time frame of ROI. This is a 0 to 3 year experience position. I am looking at the job description like I would a college course syllabus. I see there is lab work and the those thinking back to college may remember group projects require the effort of the group. As the engineering meme goes one person does all the work, another does all the talking, and then the person failing the class typically is the one who doesn't show up. I am the kind of person that will try to do all the work because i want it done the right way. So maybe this is me expressing how i need to learn to delegate more work to others.I want to thank everyone for the conversation. Talking about concerns dampens the worry. At the end of the day job or no job you will find me in my lab playing with electronics and building circuits.

author: jonwilhelmjr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 08:54:30 pm
content: Quote from: indeterminatus on October 07, 2020, 08:29:37 pmI really like your comparison to the loaded gun. In my past positions I have felt like the toddler who was handed the gun and told not to shoot my eye out. Now granted I have worked where the place was dangerous like a gun and places where it is dangerous like a cap gun. In my view point it doesn't matter how dangerous of work that you are doing. I am just looking for an employer/co-workers who are willing to lead me down a path of mistakes that i will turn into success.The other aspect of the concern is time frame of ROI. This is a 0 to 3 year experience position. I am looking at the job description like I would a college course syllabus. I see there is lab work and the those thinking back to college may remember group projects require the effort of the group. As the engineering meme goes one person does all the work, another does all the talking, and then the person failing the class typically is the one who doesn't show up. I am the kind of person that will try to do all the work because i want it done the right way. So maybe this is me expressing how i need to learn to delegate more work to others.I want to thank everyone for the conversation. Talking about concerns dampens the worry. At the end of the day job or no job you will find me in my lab playing with electronics and building circuits.