Fresh-Faced Graduates: Potential and Passion, But What’s Next?
It’s that time of year, when you hire fresh-faced college graduates who come in ready to take on the world as Project Engineers. They’ve got the potential, they’ve got the passion, but what’s the best way to develop them and unlock their full potential?
Don’t Get Stuck: Avoid Losing Talented Youngsters to Greener Pastures
It can be tempting to pass them off to your overburdened Project Managers, let them handle the busy work, going on Home Depot runs and grinding through paperwork. Don’t get me wrong, everyone needs to pay their dues and learn the work, but if you’re not careful, those talented youngsters could get stuck in those roles after they’ve proven themselves, and you’ll lose them to greener pastures.
From West Point to President: The Eisenhower Story and the Power of Tours of Duty
That’s where the military concept of tours of duty comes in. They figured out that by rotating individuals through different assignments, they could gain new skills and experiences.
Take Dwight Eisenhower, for example. He started off as a West Point cadet, graduated in 1915, served in various positions during World War I, and eventually became a top aide to General Douglas MacArthur. Fast forward to World War II, and he’s appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, leading the successful D-Day invasion of Normandy. And if that’s not enough, he went on to serve as President of the United States from 1953 to 1961.
Find Your Best Fit: How Tours of Duty Help Discover True Callings in Your Company
So how does this apply to your Project Engineers? Well, tours of duty can help these young guns discover their true calling within your company. Maybe they attend a networking event and realize they have a knack for business development, or they find that they have an eye for detail and a competitive streak when working in estimating. And let’s not forget about the ones who want to be out in the field, in the thick of the action. They’re not house cats, they’re field cats. If you stick them in the office, they’ll quickly become bored and frustrated.
Ballers Ball: How Tours of Duty Motivate and Engage Your Talented Team
The beauty of tours of duty is that they help round people out and find their best fit within the company. They give employees a sense of purpose and control over their careers. And let’s face it, talented people want to be challenged and grow. They’re not the “paycheck picker-uppers.” They’re the ballers who want to ball out every day.
Now, not everyone is going to stick around for the long haul, but don’t worry about that. By creating and using tours of duty, you’ll find out who’s the best fit for your company. And you’ll become a magnet for other talented young people.
From New Hires to Future Leaders: Tours of Duty Can Help You Find Your Company’s Best Fits
Eisenhower’s career is a testament to the benefits of tours of duty. He worked hard, took on new challenges, and ultimately found his calling through a series of tours of duty. So, if you want to create a culture of growth and development in your company, use this principle and start developing your new project engineers.
By doing so, you’ll not only help your new hires discover their passions, but you’ll also create a clear path for them to succeed in your company. And who knows, maybe this year you’ll hire your future Area Manager, Project Executive, Chief Estimator, or even your replacement as President.
Create a Clear Path for Career Development
To implement tours of duty to develop your project engineers create a one-page career plan for each new employee.
A one-page career plan is a concise, focused document that outlines an individual’s career aspirations and goals. This approach will help your employees take ownership of their career development and guide them in making intentional career decisions.
By providing your employees with the tools and resources to develop their careers, you’ll not only improve their job satisfaction and retention but also boost productivity and innovation within your company.
Invest in your employees and help them achieve their full potential.
Click this link and download the one-page career plan to get started: https://www.constructiongenius.com/onepagecareerplan
