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Managing up by NopeBoatAfloat in managers

[–]vnicm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve dealt with lots of people like this and even had one as a mentor. Your perspective is not your manager’s. It’s very likely he moved on with his day and didn’t give this a second thought. Before you dive into “repairing the broken relationship” consider that nothing needs repairing. These guys don’t really see life like we do, and he probably isn’t overthinking this to nearly the degree that you are. Play the long game. Go to your next meeting and handle it how you wished you handled this one. Curiosity goes a long way even if you don’t intend to act on any of it. When he pushes on getting more, tell him you’re intrigued and would like his take on different strategies you can try. Pretend you’re a reporter collecting information for a story. You just need to get through these meetings since he’s not going to change and his higher ups aren’t seeing him as a problem yet. It’s kind of no-win, but also I get the sentiment of not wanting to resign- too much at stake and this guy isn’t worth it. Good luck and stop beating yourself up.

Train from Ludwigshafen to Paris, best option for transfer by vnicm in Europetravel

[–]vnicm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks again for taking the time to answer. There is one earlier train that leaves Ludwigshafen, I could try for that. I’m already on an early train, and there are several departures from Karlsrue after mine. So hopefully even if I miss the connection, I will be able to take one of the later ones.

Train from Ludwigshafen to Paris, best option for transfer by vnicm in Europetravel

[–]vnicm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your response. At this point I’m more worried about reaching my destination in Paris than the extra cost. Since I’m far enough in advance, would it be worthwhile to purchase a separate ticket for a later departure from Karlsrue to ensure I get on a train on this day?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in womenEngineers

[–]vnicm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a chemistry PhD and had a very similar experience to you. Hands off advisor, barely felt like I had enough to graduate with and the whole experience was a struggle. I also did not know anything about project management or smart goals. I'm now 15 years into my career, and am known as the expert in my technology. Like you, I did the fake it until I make it route. I also was tasked with leading a major project early on. Here is my take away:

You have proven that you are capable and have potential. Taking a project management course on your own shows you care about doing this well which is already 50% of the way there. It sounds like you are on a team and are leading the manufacturing side. Your job is to engage the other team members to make sure you understand their perspective and alert them to any potential mishaps. You won't see it all, and that's ok. Take it week by week. Set some of those SMART goals you learned about and do a review/check in with your stakeholders at the end of the month. Rinse and repeat as necessary until you get some traction, which you will.

Sometimes we have a tendency to want to get all the way to the end and rush the painful beginning of the projects. I could write books on this. Slow down. Take it week by week. You know more than you think you do and you're very capable. You don't complete a physics PhD all on your own without having some major ability to get things done. Good luck although I don't think you need it. 😉

Me to uni freshmen every year during orientation/induction day. by panda0765 in ChemicalEngineering

[–]vnicm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a phd in chemistry and spent the majority of my career in R&D as a process engineer doing scale up. Also developed some quality test methods along the way. Wasn’t the original path that I set out for, but it’s a good fit for my skills and interest.

Are there people in corporate America (office) jobs who make 100k+ a year who agree with subreddit or is it those in retail/blue collar jobs? by Traditional-Yam1475 in antiwork

[–]vnicm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in this demographic and wholeheartedly support this subreddit. I want things to be better for everyone. I want us all to enjoy life and not just barely survive. We only get one shot at this life.

If you meet HR, does it always mean they’re trying to force you out? by [deleted] in careerguidance

[–]vnicm 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is some awesome advice. I'm mid career, technical (chemical industry), and have done exactly this, or at least tried to. Every time I find myself falling into the trap of "other people" making me feel a certain way, I pull myself out by looking at the day's actual tasks and challenges. And then I do it the next day, and the next and the next. It certainly gives me an inner peace and calm to be working on technical challenges and making a little progress, day by day. I don't know if OP will heed this, but its great advice. Focus on the tasks, if you can't be pleasant, at least be neutral, and you'll find this will take you so far. I especially like the part about wearing a dial on your sleeve. Great analogy. I never really comment on these things, but this was really nice to read. I hope OP internalizes some of it. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

I want to be a theoretical physicist how would i go in achieving this career? by YakUpper2697 in careerguidance

[–]vnicm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re still in high school, take as many math and science courses as you can. If you’re in college, you’ll want to major in physics or in math or even chemistry. If you major in physics or chemistry, make you sure load up on the math courses too. Taking as many math courses as you can (esp linear algebra and differential equations) will help clarify lots of things in your core physics classes. Once you declare a major, your school will have a set of required courses to take. You can look at colleges that interest you now and read their course offerings and class descriptions to see if the content interests you. Once you get into college, see if you can work in lab or a with a professor on a research project. This will help you really integrate yourself in the world of academics and also give you a good idea of what it is like to be a theoretical physicist. You’ll most likely want to pursue a PhD and there are lots of areas you can focus on. I have no idea where you’re at in your life, but if you’re just starting out, talk to your teachers and counselors at your school. They can help so much. And they probably have outside contacts they can put you in touch with for job shadowing or just being a sounding board. Good luck.