08 Apr Self Improvement During COVID-19
So you’ve binge watched the Tiger King on Netflix, LegoMasters on Hulu, Onward on Disney+ and Contagion on AppleTV (maybe more)… now onto something productive.
Since you are likely experiencing a “Stay Home Stay Safe” type directive and you have nowhere to be, this is a perfect time to improve yourself and your circumstances. If you spend some time now to develop, it will make a huge impact in the long run.
Depending on your circumstance, you might use this time to improve yourself in a few different ways…
Are you a student?
You might consider learning a new software skill, ie. Autocad or Revit, during this down time that will make you more valuable to a hiring firm right out of school. I mention drafting skills using AutoCAD and Revit because this is the #1 way for you to be profitable right out of the gate to any civil engineering firm. There is a lot of training involved in calculations and engineering judgement, but if you can set up plans, draw details, model elements, etc. then you can contribute to the team very very quickly.
- Autodesk Academy – AutoCAD (FREE)
- Autodesk Academy – Revit (FREE)
- LinkedIn Learning – AutoCAD (FREE 1-Month Trial Membership)
- LinkedIn Learning – Revit (FREE 1-Month Trial Membership)
- Pluralsight – Various Software Training (FREE April Trial Membership)
This is also a great time to clean up your resume and cover letter as well. Update your experience, find better ways to describe your experience, and clean up your resume and/or cover letter so that you stand out! Here are some resources that cover resumes, cover letters and the job search:
- Resume Sample – This is a FREE resource of my sample resume that was shown up on the screen during the seminar. This is the full resume and not just a snip.
- Resume Verbs – This is a FREE resource of various action verbs that might be applicable for describing your experience on your resume.
- Cover Letter Sample – Reach out to me or comment below for a promo code to get this resource FREE. This is a copy of my sample cover letter that I showed up on the screen during the seminar. This is a full cover letter and not just a snip. Actually, there are (2) examples for two different approaches that you can use, each which can help you to get your point across. You might even consider a hybrid of them!
- Job Tracker – Reach out to me or comment below for a promo code to get this resource FREE. This is a copy of my excel file that I used to track my contacts with various firms that was shown up on the screen during the seminar. This is the full file for you to use as you desire.
You could also spend this time to prepare for becoming licensed as an engineer. Whether that it to study for the FE or PE Exam, you can use some extra time now to study. Here are some resources to help you:
- FE Exam Materials – Are you taking the FE Exam in the near future?? Use this as your go-to place to buy study materials to help you pass the exam.
- PE Exam Materials – Or are you taking the PE Exam in the near future??
- PPI Exam Prep Products – Use the promo code “HPE15“ to get 15% OFF!!!
- PPI Exam Prep Courses – Use the promo code “HPE15“ and sign up before May 21st to get $500 OFF!!
Taking a few hours now to apply for scholarships could put thousands of dollars in your bank account for next school year. Here is a list of engineering scholarships that I am aware of that may or may not be location specific:
- SEAU 2020-2021 Scholarship – Apply before May 31st to get a $500-$1500 scholarship!
- ASCE Scholarship – There are multiple scholarships available that recur year after year
- Check out local chapters of engineering or alumni organizations for more!
Are you a working professional?
You might consider using this time to “sharpen your axe” so to speak with some of the same items noted above in the student section, including:
- Learn new software skills
- Clean up your resume and cover letter
- Prepare for becoming licensed
If you are spending this time to prepare for becoming licensed as an engineer (FE, PE or SE), here are some resources to help you:
- FE Exam Materials – Are you taking the FE Exam in the near future?? Use this as your go-to place to buy study materials to help you pass the exam.
- PE Exam Materials – Or are you taking the PE Exam in the near future??
- SE Exam Materials – Or are you taking the SE Exam in the near future??
- PPI Exam Prep Products – Use the promo code “HPE15“ to get 15% OFF!!!
- PPI Exam Prep Courses – Use the promo code “HPE15“ and sign up before May 21st to get $500 OFF!!
Are you a out of work?
You might consider using this time to “sharpen your axe” so to speak with some of the same items noted above in the ‘student’ and ‘working professional’ section, including:
- Learn new software skills
- Clean up your resume and cover letter
- Prepare for becoming licensed
After sharpening your axe and cleaning up your resume and cover letter, figuratively get out there but do it virtually to connect with the companies that interest you. There are some companies that may be ready to hire right now, but none of them are going to hire you unless you put yourself out there and apply.
Am I missing anything?
Are you doing something to improve your circumstances during the quarantine due to COVID-19? Let me know what you are doing in the comments and I can add your ideas to the lists above.
For some additional resources from ASCE, check out there “COVID-19 Resources” page.
This list is ever-growing, so come back to see what has changed as the days go by.
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Keep on keepin’ on.
Life’s a garden… Dig it!
If you have any additional topics or subtopics that you would like me to cover, please contact me at josh@thehipsterengineer.com
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