Idaho Society of Professional Engineers

           PO Box 170239, Boise, ID 83717-0239  208-426-0636  Fax: 208-426-0639  E-Mail: ispe@idahospe.org

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Idaho Society of Professional Engineers
Friday Update – 10/24/08

UPCOMING EVENTS:

THREE TIPS FOR SURVIVING CORPORATE CHANGE
The biggest difference between today's employment world and that of our fathers' is the rapid pace of corporate change. Expectations of company stability and long lasting employment are a thing of the past. If one isn't tuned into the signals of corporate change it can mean an unexpected layoff and months of unemployment and job searching. Do you have a career management plan to ensure your career growth in times of corporate chaos?

To prevent career disaster, live by these three rules of career management:

Expect Change

Adjust quickly to change

Build a strong professional network in good times

Expect change
Change in the work place is far less traumatic when it is expected as the norm. One of the most important career management skills is the ability to detect signs of corporate change. For instance:

* Rumors of corporate merger or takeover

* Corporate profit levels spiraling downward

* No end-of-year bonuses given

* Hints of layoffs to trim the budget

* Upper management suddenly resigning

* Your peers jumping ship to the competition

Don't get caught off guard by holding on to a false sense of security or misplaced loyalty. Those who fear change trust corporate loyalty rather than face the reality of their precarious position in the corporate food chain. Expect change and keep your eyes and ears open—or you could be the last in line when it's time to find new career opportunities.

Don't wait for change to strike. While your job is secure and your work environment is stable, take steps to keep your skills highly desirable in the job market. For starters:

* Stay current with technology trends of your industry

* Get certified if appropriate

* Keep your resume current at all times

* Be ready to interview at a moment's notice

Adjust quickly to change
Your ability to keep your career momentum building in the midst of corporate chaos depends on your skill at adjusting quickly to change. First, don't over analyze your dilemma. Too often valuable time is wasted trying to figure out ways to make a bad situation work. Second rule, don't take it personally, or you won't be able to plan your exit strategy clearly. Third, take action as soon as possible.

If your resume is kept current at all times you will be ahead of the pack when others consider moving on as well. Your resume should be updated every six months. For quick updating keep an ongoing record of your accomplishments as you overcome work challenges.

Maintaining confidentiality during a job search while still employed is a challenge that requires discretion and level headedness. Ideally, no one in your company should even suspect that you are looking for other employment. Resist the urge to speak to coworkers about your decision for action. Keep your regular work hours and try to schedule interviews during off-work time. Avoid posting your resume online where your employer may find it.

Build a strong professional network in good times.
One thing that hasn't changed over the decades is the fact that a majority of people still get new positions faster through networking. What used to be called the “good ol' boy system” is as active in the job market as ever. Technology hasn't replaced the effectiveness of a vast network of people who can help you find new career opportunities quickly.

The problem is that most people ignore their network until they need it. Bad idea. If you haven't kept in touch with former coworkers how will you know how to find them when you need them?

There are many great venues for building your network: professional associations, college alumni groups and former colleagues to name a few. Take time to meet with non-work people on a regular basis. Build relationships around mutual interests, friendship and trust. Make this your lifelong habit and you'll never be without help when you need to make a career change.

More than ever, proactive career management is essential to professional growth. Keep these rules of surviving corporate change as the building blocks of your career management plan and you'll stay in control of your professional growth and income potential.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deborah Walker, CCMC is a career coach helping job seekers compete in the toughest job markets. Her clients gain top performing skills in resume writing, interview preparation and salary negotiation. Learn more about Deborah Walker, career coach at: http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com 
 

ISPE SINCERELY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF OUR CURRENT 2008 - 2009 SUSTAINING ORGANIZATIONS:

AHJ Engineers PC

B & A Engineers, Inc

Briggs Engineering, Inc

Elkhorn Engineers

G & S Structural Engineers

J.M. Miller Engineering Inc

J-U-B Engineers, Inc

Land Solutions, Land Surveying & Consulting

Mason & Stanfield Inc

Materials Testing & Inspection Inc

MWH

Progressive Engineering Group Inc

Quadrant Consulting, Inc

Riedesel Engineering Inc

Schiess & Associates

Smarter Process Inc

Stapley Engineering

Terracon

TerraGraphics Environmental Engineers Inc

Walker Engineering

Please consider joining these great companies in becoming an ISPE Sustaining Organization. ISPE offers the Sustaining Organization category of membership to enhance the visibility of your commitment to ISPE and the engineering profession. Your membership will allow us to better serve the engineering community through promoting engineering and ethics, and supporting the needs of the engineer including professional development.

If you are interested in becoming a Sustaining Organization, please contact the ISPE office at ispe@idahospe.org.

MATHCOUNTS PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Can you solve this MATHCOUNTS problem? The answer will appear in next week's edition of the Friday Update!

Viruses
 

A common cold virus is 20 nanometers in diameter. If the diameter of a particular lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell that destroys invaders like viruses and bacteria) is 11 micrometers, what percent larger is the lymphocyte’s diameter than the cold virus’ diameter? (Note: 1 micrometer = 1 × 10^-6 meters and 1 nanometer = 1 × 10^-9 meters.)

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A particular virus doubles its population every 20 minutes. If 4 viruses are present at 10am, how many viruses will be present at 11:40 am on the same day? Express your answer in scientific notation to the nearest hundredth.

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The diameter of a typical pinhead is 1 millimeter. If a common virus measures 250 nanometers in diameter, and this virus fits together so well that there are no gaps or overlaps, how many viruses would fit on the pinhead? Express your answer to the nearest whole number.  

Answer to the last MATHCOUNTS problem:
 f(6) = 6 + 2 = 8

a(6) = 3(6) – 4 = 18 – 4 = 14

l(6) = 6² + 9 = 36 + 9 = 45

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x + 2 + (3x – 4) = 4x – 2

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l(8) = 8² + 9 = 64 + 9 = 73


l(73) = 73² + 9 = 5329 + 9 = 5338


a(5338) = 3(5338) – 4 = 16,010

f(16,010) = 16,010 + 2 = 16,012 

If you want to see last week's problem again, click http://mathcounts.org/Page.aspx?pid=1373


Idaho Society of Professional Engineers
PO Box 170239
Boise, ID 83717-0239
208-426-0636
Fax: 208-426-0639
E-Mail: ispe@idahospe.org
Web Site: www.Idahospe.org 







 

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