SWE Transition from Student to Engineer

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SWE Transition from Student to Engineer

• Business Etiquette
• 1.How do you know a topic is too sensitive to
  discuss via e-mail
• - If you cant discuss it in a crowded elevator,
  Discuss Face to Face
• 2. Sarcasm in email Be very careful, best to
  avoid
• 3. Is it okay to use my corporate account for
  personal e-mail No, use your own account
• 4. Staying Awake Dont worry it gets better
• 5. Noisy cube mates or are youre the noisy one -
  Respect your neighbors, use a conference room
• 6. Appropriate time to attend a meeting Dont
  be late, arrive 5 minutes early
• 7. Attire The controversial topic, here are
  some suggestions
• - Office Dos Pressed pants, Clean, Suit may be
  required, Hose Dress Pants
• - Plant Do Not Sleeveless tops, sandals, open
  toed shoes, skirts, high heels
• - Always asses the environment, who are you
  meeting that day, what are you working on

Communication 1. Passive or aggressive vs.
assertive communication Too passive, people may
take advantage of you. Too aggressive, may
antagonize people and create more stress.
Assertiveness is one way of expressing your needs
without being ignored, or offending others. 2.
Message transmission , 10 words, 30 sounds,
60 body language 3. What are barriers to
Effective Communication Incorrect filtering,
language problems, poor listening, different
emotional states, perceptions, and
backgrounds. 4. Five common traits to effective
communication - Perception, Precision,
Credibility, Control, and Congeniality, 5. Two
ways to utilize effective communication
techniques (1) Prepare and distribute agenda
(2)assign action items 6. Communication Tips Say
Good Morning or afternoon, Look people in the
eye, know your audience, be honest but tactful,
precise, forthcoming with information, seek first
to understand than to be understood
Financials 1. A cube mate asked my what my salary
was, and how much was my raise, do I tell
her/him? No, it is best not to discuss these
topics with cube mates. 2. When is the best
time to ask for a raise - During your performance
review 3. You were told you will get a 7 bonus
each year, should I put that in my budget - No,
this is not guaranteed Without 401 K (taxes are
higher) with 401K Engineers Salary,1
month 4,000 4,000 Taxes at 25 rate -1,000
-240, -940 (401K, taxes) Rent (1br in Peoria)
-600 same Utilities (ht. Elec, H20,
phone) -200 same Car Payment -250 same Car
Insurance -100 same Cell Phone -50 same Cable
-40 same Groceries -200 same Personal
Expenses (may vary) -200 same Clothes (may
vary) -300 same Savings -200 same Balance for
Month 860 680 company matched 401K

• Great Expectations
• 1. Continuously asked to take meeting minutes,
  prepare slides
• - Expect some grunt work, everyone has to do it
• 2. Youre always staying late to keep up
• - Establish clear priorities with your supervisor
• 3. Not given enough work
• - Get your supervisor to define your job, seek
  other projects
• 4. How to get feedback on performance
• - Set meeting with supervisor, understand
  criteria you will be evaluated on
• 5. You are assigned a task, and don't know where
  to begin
• - Dont be afraid to ask
• 6. What if you dont get along with your
  supervisor
• - Dont let personality conflicts get in the way
  of a professional relationship.
• 7. What can you do if you are unhappy with your
  job
• - Let your supervisor know what interests you,
  let he/she know of an upcoming project that
  sounds interesting, but you must speak up
• 8. You feel useless in your job, you arent
  contributing much
• - Experience isnt something you get from school,
  you have fresh ideas, and you have the ability to
  learn over time