How to be a leader among Utah engineers

At ACEC Utah, we strive to act as the voice of the engineering industry, advocating for the interests of engineers. Likewise, if you want to become a leader and a voice in our industry, you’ll need to take certain steps toward building strong relationships with those in the industry, including industry leaders. Here are some steps to consider:

Define your message. What is your personal statement and unique perspective? What value is it adding to your industry? Make sure you are reading news articles and columns about your industry and forming your own opinions. You can’t add relevance to your perspective without fully understanding your topic of interest.

Build a personal brand. Building a personal brand is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself in your industry. This includes having a consistent social media presence with content relevant to your industry. If you are currently looking for a job, be sure to update your LinkedIn profile with relevant information.

Reach out to influencers. Make an effort to reach out to and connect with influencers in your industry. Influencers are the most important people to connect with because they can recommend you for jobs or other networking opportunities in your particular area of engineering. Plus, it never hurts to have a mentor!

Promote new ideas. In order to stand out and be a true leader, consider coming up with fresh ideas. You might want to stir things up a bit instead of going along with the status quo. Additionally, be open to exploring new areas and ideas you do not know about.