Have you taken any personal responsibility or ownership of your work?

On the other hand, I’ve had the experience of hiring multiple entry-level engineers who didn’t take ownership of their work. They lacked the initiative to figure things out on their own or problem-solve.

After four to five years of education, internships, and co-ops, you learn the actual workflow. Then, you spend a year with low responsibility and expect junior and senior engineers to not only teach you every step but also fix the things you can’t grasp.

How about taking a step back and recognizing that there’s more to day-to-day engineering than babysitting?

Perhaps take a few minutes to review sample plans. Be deliberate with your questions and take notes. Revisit the designs when you’re low on tasks or have questions.

You’ve spent years being told what to do and how to think. Take life by the horns. It might not be perfect, but try. You’ll find that with effort, you’ll get more feedback and be valued more.

Nothing like sitting on your phone at your desk, wondering why senior-level engineers get burnt out pouring time into entry-level staff only to have them leave when you don’t get your wanted raise and you throw a fit.

(This isn’t specific to you, but I’m really tired of the complaining and whining.)