1. Ocean Springs High School Perspectives on Engineering Careers
NEPRIS Virtual Presentation
March 31, 2017
David Williams
Principal Consultant
NTT DATA, Inc. | Salesforce.com Advisory Services
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2. Where an Engineering Career Can Take You

3. My Career Story My Teens My 20s Early 30s Late 30s My Career Tomorrow
B+ Student in High School and C+ Student in College (Small Town Expectations)
Always had a job, parents didn’t go to college and it was expected that I would
My 20s
Reckless Opportunistic Abandon (Story on Yes Man Movie)
Worked hard, did whatever was asked, went wherever, whenever
Was mentored to learn how to perform before managing (UK vs. US Style)
Early 30s
Jumped to “hot spot” opportunities and broadened knowledge and experience
Strengthened perceived weaknesses in education and certification
Late 30s
Chasing interesting problems to identify the next jump in location or role
Aligned my work-life balance to enable starting my own family
My Career Tomorrow
Unknown location, unknown role, unknown requirements

4. Perspectives on Careers
There are (3) Types of Career Roles in the World…
1st Brings the Work through the Door
Sales, Marketing, Finance
All About Creating Ideas of Value
2nd Performs the Work
Engineering, Operations, Technology
All About Building Things and Solving Problems
3rd Gets the Work Out the Door
Legal, Accounting, Management
All About Maintaining Control and Resolving Conflict
Seller
Doer
Closer

5. Typical Day for an Engineer
Scenario 1: Civil Engineer on Pipeline Construction
Reviewing design documents for errors / corrections
Visiting field site to address questions from contractors
Responding to s / phone calls on critical issues
Scenario 2: Project Manager on Client Status Meeting
Prepare presentation including collection of status from team
Schedule / conduct meeting including maintaining order
Compiling meeting minutes and address action items
Scenario 3: Executive Annual Budgetary Meeting
Discussing business needs with different groups of people
Negotiating needs with different groups to maintain support
Presenting recommendations to higher ups and defending

6. Why Plan for the Future When Today is Much More Interesting
Plans are worthless, but planning is everything…
Dwight D. Eisenhower

7. Answering the Most Difficult Career Question
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Lets relieve some of the stress, the secret truth is not to have an answer
I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up (My Mentor Story)
Where is the Rule that Says You Must Choose a Specific Career?
Reality is your 20s career will be different in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
Average time between career changes increasing (My Dad vs. My Career)
Life is Hard…Know What You Definitely Do Not Want To Do
Some careers / industries are not the right fit, but your mind will change
Old vs. New: build skills, industry experience, apply elsewhere (My Story)
Just because you have 15-years experience doesn’t mean you have reached your career. You brush your teeth everyday, so what…

8. Who Should You Be Listening to on Careers?
Everyone Has a Story, Mistakes, Successes and Lessons Learned
Do not limit research to your immediate circle of people (My Mistake)
Get out there and find those stories that will craft your career plan
Parents are Biased, Friends are Peers, Everyone Else is Reality
Parents and Teachers know you best, protect, support, typically biased
Peers provide insights into networking, but not always the right path
Early Years Mold and Establish Your Passion, Ethics and Values
Follow the pack, get stuck in the pack, become a number, be safe…
Outside of the pack is scary, challenging, risky and usually rewarding
You Can Try Climbing Mt. Everest Without the Right Gear and Map. Instead, Bring Your Own Personal Sherpa(s) and a Plan to Summit.

9. Additional Discussion Topics
Preference of Working With People vs. Information vs. Things
Answering the Money Question for College
Personal Branding: Crafting Your Story and Delivering Your Story
How to Interview and Commonly Asked Interview Questions
Planning Horizons: 1-Year vs. 3-Year vs. 5-Year