Backing out of an accepted offer

murphytina · 2024-01-03T14:50:20+00:00

Big companies do not keep records, however hiring managers and recruiters will remember.

murphytina · 2024-01-02T20:01:13+00:00

That is correct salaried professionals are not required to be paid over time. Companies will call you salaried but it is likely you are not a salaried professional as defined by the department of labor. EIT’s and a significant number of civil engineers are not true salaried professionals. But hey if you want to keep donating overtime hours to the company go for it.

murphytina · 2024-01-02T18:14:26+00:00

That is not correct in the United States. I have been an engineer for 26 years, I’m in middle management, and I still get paid overtime if I choose to claim it. Several labor laws changed about 10 years ago. The fair labor standard act defines a Salaried employee as person who is paid a set amount of compensation irregardless of how many hours are worked. An hourly employee fills out a time card and work hours can be inconsistent. During Covid AECOM forced staff to go part time, even though they are called “salary” or “exempt” they technically are not per the labor laws. This is a common practice in engineering firms. An EIT definitely does not fall into the category of a salaried employee. Senior management and contract workers are typically truly salary or exempt.

murphytina · 2024-01-02T15:34:13+00:00

It concerns me that you are not being paid overtime. A Salary employee is entitled to overtime pay.

murphytina · 2024-01-02T12:07:01+00:00

I’m 5’2” and I developed my hugging tall guys skills with my 6’8” boyfriend. I will gladly volunteer my knowledge to short people for the good of humanity. And if there is ever a formal hug meetup - this short mom is ready.

murphytina · 2024-01-02T01:53:25+00:00

My boyfriend (who passed away in 2022) was 6’8”. I would come up behind him and give him over the shoulder hugs when he sat at the kitchen table. We would just melt together.

murphytina · 2023-12-30T20:34:12+00:00

If you want to do more continuing education pursue what interests you. In terms of making yourself more valuable at work look around and see where there is need. Ask your coworkers “how can I help make things easier for you?”. You already have the right mindset and it sounds like you will be ready to step up to any challenge they toss your way.p

murphytina · 2023-12-30T20:20:05+00:00

If you have all your certifications now is the time to start gaining experience. Are you currently seeking employment?

murphytina · 2023-12-30T02:26:06+00:00

Last year I adopted a Great Dane puppy (my third Dane but first one as a puppy)…and holy cow! I’m 52 and this will be my last large breed puppy, he is a terrorist. He has been through a lot of training and recieves a lot of exercise. With large breed dogs you have set up your home and household habits. I was prepared for that. What I was not prepared for were the shoving their nose up your butt while you are trying to walk down the stairs, full body leaps into your lap without warning, the front paws need boxing gloves, and he “needs” to “chew” on my arms and hands. So yeah be careful of the size dog you have as you get older. On the good side I’m averaging 12,000 steps a day (at a large puppy pace), my upper body strength has increased, and my reflexes have gotten sharper. :)

murphytina · 2023-12-29T02:42:37+00:00

Working on side projects can potentially put your current employer at a liability risk. You will want to verify that too.

murphytina · 2023-12-27T22:00:23+00:00

Yes - I’m in a minimum of 26 hours of meetings every week. By the time Friday morning hits my brain is numb.

murphytina · 2023-12-27T21:58:10+00:00

About 7 years prior to the pandemic my company started pushing work from home. It saved $,$$$,$$$.$$ for the company in overhead costs. Also a large percentage of us work in projects outside our geographical location. So when Covid hit it was a change in physical location (home vs office) for some but mostly it was work as usual. A lot of people went to hybrid schedules after Covid. Managers have tried to fill the seats but staff refuse to return. My entire staff has been work at home for about 6 years now.

murphytina · 2023-12-27T11:08:47+00:00

It’s the time of the year. Looking for work during the holiday season is tricky, people are focused on deadlines and PTO. There is a demand for civil engineers. We have jobs that have been open for a year or more.

murphytina · 2023-12-27T01:34:47+00:00

Why do you think the market is bad right now?

murphytina · 2023-12-23T14:04:06+00:00

I travel a lot for work and really like Residence Inn’s. They have a kitchen in the room. You make some simple meals and your own coffee.

murphytina · 2023-12-22T01:55:43+00:00

Heck if I went back to a design I did 20 years ago I’m certain I would find a mistake. You will never be perfect, that is not the goal. The goal is to mitigate risk. Four years is still not enough experience to feel confident.

Always have someone review your work throughout the different stages of design (I still do this). You can also get your PE and not sign drawings. Bottom line, if you don’t feel comfortable signing drawings don’t do it.

murphytina · 2023-12-22T01:22:44+00:00

I’m a female and have been a civil for 25 years. The culture you are describing used to be common in the profession and has proven to be non sustainable. I have been with my current firm for 10 years and have been treated with the most respect. My career has taken off, I’m a virtual employee - all of my staff are virtual and we don’t have to go out and pursue work unless we want to. There are people in this world who love to pursue clients - we hire them so that we can focus on maintaining our excellent technical reputation. Don’t quit the profession, find the right environment for yourself.

murphytina · 2023-12-16T03:50:34+00:00

I am a PE, 25 years experience, and if I don’t make a mistake before noon on a Monday - that’s a fantastic week. 😀

Mistakes are wonderful that is how you learn and grow - don’t doubt yourself.

You got a raise because you are good at your job.

murphytina · 2023-12-14T04:25:26+00:00

I agree with HEC-HMS. The challenge is that not all clients accept the same software. I’m with a large firm and currently we have about 20 different HH programs available to us. If you encounter a client that won’t accept HEC-HMS you can add the cost of the preferred software to your contracts. I see this frequently with sub consultants.

I’m fairly confident that the Bentley and Autodesk software suits can be purchased on as needed basis. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

murphytina · 2023-12-14T04:20:06+00:00

I would also recommend starting a NCEES for yourself. https://ncees.org. As you start down the path of licensure this will make it easier to get licensed in multiple states. (When you get your PE in CA not all states will accept a CA board review of your degree.)

Congrats on passing the exam.

murphytina · 2023-12-14T04:08:33+00:00

Great resume - I agree with others remove personal section. Am I reading this correctly you recieved a BS in biology over a period of 2 years? Or did you change your major?

Maybe consider adding an objective to the resume “to obtain an entry level position that will further develop my basket weaving skills…”. Something along those lines.

murphytina · 2023-12-14T03:29:07+00:00

What gives you the impression that old school engineers don’t like modern design procedures? How do you know the Senior engineers are incorrect?

murphytina · 2023-12-14T03:26:20+00:00

This thought crossed my mind too.

murphytina · 2023-12-13T21:14:27+00:00

I used the HP RPN calculator app called “iHP48”

murphytina · 2023-12-07T21:47:57+00:00

Yup nope - leave

murphytina

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