This document discusses career development for PhDs in industry. It outlines a three step process: 1) Understand the business, 2) Gain insight into your strengths and passions, and 3) Develop short and long term career goals. Step one involves learning the principles and drivers of success for the company. Step two is self-reflection on skills, areas for growth, and values. Step three is creating a career roadmap with expanding responsibilities over time. Typical career paths for engineers include technical leadership, business leadership, or organizational leadership. Advice includes developing skills, surrounding oneself with great colleagues, having passion for one's work, and balancing career and personal life.

1. Career Development
for the Industry-Minded
Ph.D.
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2. Career development
A process for balancing individual and organizational needs
Employee Needs:
• Values
• Skills & Competencies
• Career Interests
• Development plan
Business Realities:
• Market Demands
• Service, Technology,
Product Shifts
• Emerging needs
• Required capabilities
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3. Three Simple Steps…
A continuous personal journey, supported by the EMS
Process, with feedback and reflection
1
Understand
the Business
3
Plan short
and long
term goals
Personal
insight &
reflection
2
3

4. The first step…
Understand the business (or industry)
that you are trying to grow within
What are the principles
the business is founded upon?
What is the driving force behind
the company’s success?
Are there role models to emulate?
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5. Let’s look at GE
A tradition of innovation…
• Founded in 1878 as the Edison
Electric Company
• 130 years of successful
operation … $165 B revenues
• Only company of the original
Dow 30 Industrials
• 325,000 employees worldwide
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6. Edison’s driving force …
To create products for emerging needs and markets
• How big was the market for
light bulbs in 1879?
– Considering the first power grid did
not exist until 1882 … Battery Park in
New York City
– Ductile tungsten filament discovered
in 1910 … after 1,700 failures
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To this day, innovation is at the
core of GE strategy!

7. The second step…
Gain insight into your own strengths, weaknesses and passion
Do you know what your
manager wants from you?
What are you best at?
How could you improve?
Have you grown
professionally in the last 12
months?
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8. What managers look for when
making a promotion
Strong values & integrity… personal conviction
Key competencies …functional,
personal, business, and leadership
Self confidence …but not arrogance
Good judgement … in the face
incomplete data
Ability to grow … love to learn
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9. Values
The core of who you are
imagine
curious
passionate
Creating the worlds best energy technology &
products… taking appropriate risk to accelerate
discovery while seeking feedback and learning
solve
resourceful
accountable
Striving for simplicity, speed and quality while finding
new ways to deliver on our commitments… with
unyielding integrity
Open
energizing
Unlimited enthusiasm and energy towards our work…
respectful of differences while being candid,
constructive and willing to change.lead
teamwork
committed
Coming to work everyday as one global and diverse
team, with a can-do-anything attitude… intensely
focused on great Products & Servicesbuild
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10. Competencies…
The skills you apply
Functional
Technical Depth
Technical breadth
Accountable
Knowledge of related
functions
Business
Org knowledge
Business acumen
Global markets
Customers &
competitors
Leadership
Motivate
Influence
Lead People
Manage Programs
Tough decisions
Personal
Organizing
Analyzing
Team Player
Change agent
Open minded
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11. Results
• Entry ticket
• Common Denominator
in the promotion
process
• Confirms Your Ability
to Take on More
Responsibility
• Must Grow to Stay
Above the Bar As It Is
Continuously Being
Raised
…Always deliver
On the job performance…
Strive to make a difference on every assignment
Image
• It’s the Message You
Send Before You Speak
• Includes Many Areas…
Walk, Dress, Demeanor,
Humility
• Answers the Question
“I’m Ready” not “I’m
Not Ready”
• Every interaction
counts… Make sure it’s a
positive one
…Emulate Leaders
Exposure
• High Impact on Your
Career
• With strong
performance, exposure
is how others know it
• Makes You visible to
Those Who Can
Influence your Career
• Can Be Enhanced by
Network of mentors,
Managers & Champions
…Need sponsors
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12. A few thoughts to consider…
Few people truly understand and
accept their development needs
The higher up you go, the less
candid feedback you get
It’s important to solicit on-going
feedback… few do
Understand your priorities … early
in your career
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13. Who are you?
Write a short story to yourself… reflect & articulate
Biggest accomplishment
Problem description
How you solved it
What you learned
Leadership experience
Work related… or not
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14. The third step…
Develop a plan for the rest of your life
What are your career aspirations?
Have you been in your current role long enough?
What should be the focus of your next job/assignment?
Do you have a mentor?
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15. What you should look for in a career move
Reflect and assess … a mistake can be a derailer
An environment that sparks your passion and imagination
A support system that encourages learning
A challenge that seems
impossible
An opportunity that leverages
your expertise
A company that shares your
values… and dreams
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16. Career Roadmap
Expanding your portfolio of learning experiences
Growth in
Responsibility,
Satisfaction,
Value,
Increased Skill,
etc.
Time & Maturity
Job
A
Job
F
Job
E
Job
D
Job
C
Job
B
Demonstrated Required
Competencies Compentencies
MS Degree
&/or Other
Technical
Training
A Course
Current
Assignment
BB Training
&/or MBA
Interim
Assignment
Short Term
Goal
Long Term
Goal
MDC
Today
• Competency 1
• Competency 2
• Competency 3
• Compentency 4
• Competency 5
• Competency 6
• Competency 7
• Criteria 1
• Criteria 2
• Criteria 3
• Criteria 4
• Criteria 5
• Criteria 6
• Criteria 7
• Criteria 8
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17. Typical Engineering Career Paths
A strong foundation can create many options
Business Leadership Path
Projects, Services,
Sales, Marketing
Key Business Leader
The “Recipe” of Technical Success
… Accelerated with NPI Experiences
Technical Leadership Path
Engineer/Lead
Engineer
Technical LeaderNew Hire Consulting/Chief
Engineer
Senior/Principal
Engineer
• Diverse experiences
o Component analyses
o Product Support
o Manufacturing
o Services
• Ignite a Passion
• Encourage Adv Courses
& Training
• Build component
knowledge
o Blades
o Casings
o Control system
o Plant system
• Establish Reputation
• Technical depth plus
leadership experience
o Expand
understanding of
system and
integration
• Technical expert
• Solve major technical
issues
• Chief Engineer
o Safety & Processes
o Anticipate & prevent
issues
Organizational
Leader
Organizational Leadership Path
• Program Manager
• Platform Leader
• General Manager
o Comm, Sales,
Services…
• Subs/Section Manager
o Systems Engrg
o Materials Science
• General Manager
o CoE Leader
o Systems Leader
Executive
Organizational Leader
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18. Typical Engineering Career Paths
A strong foundation can create many options
Business Leadership Path
Projects, Services,
Sales, Marketing
Key Business Leader
The “Recipe” of Technical Success
… Accelerated with NPI Experiences
Technical Leadership Path
Engineer/Lead
Engineer
Technical LeaderNew Hire Consulting/Chief
Engineer
Senior/Principal
Engineer
• Diverse experiences
o Component analyses
o Product Support
o Manufacturing
o Services
• Ignite a Passion
• Encourage Adv Courses
& Training
• Build component
knowledge
o Blades
o Casings
oControl system
oPlant system
• Establish Reputation
• Technical depth plus
leadership experience
o Expand
understanding of
system and
integration
• Technical expert
•Solve major technical
issues
• Chief Engineer
o Safety & Processes
o Anticipate & prevent
issues
Organizational
Leader
Organizational Leadership Path
• Program Manager
• Platform Leader
• General Manager
o Comm, Sales,
Services…
• Subs/Section Manager
o Systems Engrg
o Materials Science
• General Manager
o CoE Leader
o Systems Leader
Executive
Organizational Leader
Engineering
Vice President
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19. Advice from successful people
Develop skills rather than accumulate titles
Surround yourself with great people
Get involved … societies, community, forums
Have fun … laughter will keep you young
Balance work/life … set rules for yourself
Learn finance … the language of business
Do everything with a sense of urgency
Build a functional expertise
Take the tough job
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20. In Summary
Career management essentials
Balance personal goals with
business realities
Join a team that shares your
values
Focus career plan on …
• Functional depth
• Job performance
• Challenging assignments
• Passion for your work
• Constant Learning
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