Transitioning to the Workplace John Mackinnon Vice President Technical Support Services AMEC NSS

2 Outline  My background  The first few years  Considerations in the work place  Interpersonal skills  Life long learning  Random thoughts  Sample messages to my staff  Final thoughts

3 My background  Education: – Bachelors in Math. & Eng. - Queen’s – Master’s in Chem. Eng. - McGill – Ph. D. in Mech. Eng - Waterloo  Why I went to graduate school: – realised how little I understood  Why I chose industry – understand applications – environment (team)

4 My background (cont.)  – small consulting company in Nuclear industry – computer code development, analysis  – Ontario Hydro/OPG – Section Manager – Department Manager – Support to nuclear power stations: R&D, code, analysis, industry and regulatory involvement – Responsible for new grad program, UNENE

5 My background (cont.)  – Private consultancy company in Nuclear industry (growth from 150 to >500) – Business Director – VP, Engineering – 2006 – VP, Technical Support Services  Why I chose managerial career path – increase awareness and sphere of influence – opportunity to mentor and have positive impact on people’s careers and lives

6 The first few years  Find out what you do and don’t like  First few years are the ‘rocket fuel’ – form basis for knowledge and can set one’s career trajectory  Be willing to invest your own time to learn, read and expand your knowledge  Take charge of your career – Give thought to how you want your career to develop, and revisit

7 The first few years  Establish yourself in at least 1 technical area but consider broadening your self to work in more than 1 area  Look to become known to others outside your immediate work group  Conduct yourself appropriately - people are watching

8 The first few years  Mentors: – don’t need to be supervisor, more senior, even in same company – relationship needs to work and be natural/comfortable – characteristics: respect compassion judgement honesty available wants to help discreet

9 Considerations in the work place  Always ask if you do not know – be able to explain things in concise, simple terms  Always do the honorable thing  Come prepared to meetings  Treat everyone with respect – Say thank you  When seeking help - come with proposed solutions, not just problems

10 Considerations in the work place  Appearance  Grapevine/gossip  Seek opportunities - ask how you can help – develop a reputation as someone who says ‘yes’  and following up – Wait 24 hours before you react  Understand what commitments/expectations are and update supervisor (client) along the way - no surprises

11 Considerations in the work place  Try and learn what the ‘small stuff’ is  Pick your battles  Organisation – keep good notes – keep good to do list – meet your committed dates

12 Interpersonal skills  Learn what is important to others – important to understand what supervisor wants  Understand it is very difficult to change how others act/think – you can only control how you react  Watch how others act in situations – learn by example and counterexample – ask to go to meetings with senior people

13 Life long learning  Keep up technical skills  Find out where additional/new information can be found – library, journals, reports, presentations, training materials  Invest your own time  Consider benefit of graduate courses/degrees

14 Life long learning  Be honest and open to feedback  Be self critical on areas to improve  Prepare yourself for next position - you cannot control timing but can control your readiness

15 Random thoughts  Learn from mistakes – don’t deny - stand up and admit – accept it can shake your confidence but persevere  Stretch yourself – be prepared to work outside your comfort zone – there will be times when it seems insurmountable - ask for feedback/support and keep going  Work/life balance – consider how comfortable you are in letting your work/career define who you are – lifestyle will impact you later in life

16 JM – Challenges/what I learned (Sample from presentation to staff October 2012) Humbling New areas of work, business Admitting when wrong Continuous improvement Accountability Importance of meeting commitments Excitement Developing and implementing strategic plans Watching staff grow and seize opportunities

17 What you can expect from me (Sample from presentation to staff October 2012) – I will be involved – I will challenge you – I will support you – I will insist everyone is accountable to each other – I will drive improvements and insist on transparency – I will have communication as a focus – I will have open door and will be accessible Office: x4360; Cell: ; Home: – I will be involved with the clients – I will be involved in business development

18 What I expect from you (Sample from presentation to staff October 2012) – You are up to the challenge to remain as top service provider We will excel in our quality, drive, responsiveness – You will hold each other accountable Meet dates, respect each other’s time, be prepared – You will drive improvements and transparency – You will not be defensive & we will learn – You will follow processes – You will give me honest feedback (and solutions too, not just problems) – You will get out to the client

19 Almost final thought Have fun

20 Final thought  Greatest factors in – workplace effectiveness – client satisfaction – career advancement/opportunities Communication & interpersonal skills