First day of work.

Tomorrow (Monday) is the first day of the beginning of the engineering career for many new engineering graduates. First of all, congratulations! You have had this point be the focus for many years and it is finally here. Now there is a new focus - becoming a valuable part of your new company.

This is a scary new undertaking. The first scary part is that there is a whole new set of rules. And you don't know most of them yet! How do you address your boss? Do you call her Janet? or Ms. Jensen? Where do you sit at the conference table for your first team meeting? Is it ok to ask for help? Sure - but how much without being too dependent? Over the next few months I encourage you to either email me or post anonymous questions. This can be a great forum for getting answers during this transition.

Now for the first few answers: If you feel comfortable, ask her how you should address her. If not, just pay attention to how your co-workers do it. In fact that is the best piece of advice I can give - be very attentive to your surroundings. Notice what other people do and notice how it is perceived by the rest of the work community. Being very aware can be the best way to learn both what is acceptable and what is not.

First conference - don't sit down at the head of the table - it is not your spot. Kind of wait until everyone else is sitting down and hopefully someone else will tell you where to sit.

Handshakes. You will meet lots of new people and shake lots of hands. Have a firm grip and look the people in the eye. Be confident of who you are and come across as genuinely being happy to meet people and be a new part of this team.

Ok. Enough already. More over the next few days.

Here are a few miscellaneous jottings:

*Bart and I had a great time in Los Angeles. We learned a lot about new methods for teaching Intro to Engineering.

*My daughter Liz graduated from high school on Friday night. I am very proud of who she has become and the positive approach she is taking as she embarks on a new life. Liz will report to basic training for the Air National Guard later this month and will start at St. Olaf in the Fall.

*Yesterday, Angie and I joined former ICCers, Rick and Crystal Smith and Laura Elsenpeter at Sara Smith's marriage to Dan Pankonin. It was a beautiful ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior. Sara gave a heartfelt speech that was classic Sara. I am proud to be considered her friend and of the professional she has become.

This coming Thursday, June 7th is the second dinner meeting of the engineers working in Northeastern Minnesota. We are meeting at Valentini's in Chisholm at 5:30. The cost is $17. All engineers, interns, and alumni are invited. If you are interested in coming and haven't already responded, RSVP to me by Tuesday morning.

ICC Engineering Reunion is coming up on June 28th and June 29th. Read tomorrows TBL for more information.