• Assess yourself to define specific goals. Periodically check, reassess, extend, or modify goals.


• Keep your resume current.


• Remain active in a professional society that represents your discipline, such as AIAA.


• Establish and maintain professional contacts.


• Write, publish, and present your own work at technical meetings.


• Stay abreast of new developments in your field by subscribing to appropriate periodicals, attending workshops and seminars, and traveling to international and national conferences when feasible.


• Pursue additional formal education and on-the-job training to remain competitive in an increasingly complex work world.


• Maintain an appropriate balance among family, career, community, and recreation.


• Manage money wisely and make intelligent purchases. Periodically seek professional advice about financial planning matters.


• Sustain good physical and mental fitness.


• Enhance organizational and interpersonal skills, including communication, interviewing, and networking.


• Remain adaptable to all changes (technological, social, etc.) implemented in the world of work.

1. COMPLETING COLLEGE
College Junior-Graduation
Career Phase: Student
Typical Age: 20-22

Take advantage of co-op opportunities and internships. Work while in school in a career-related field.

Participate in an AIAA Student Paper Competition to learn how to prepare and present technical papers.

Decide on graduate school, or seek employment after graduation.

Prepare your resume and post it on the AIAA Job Board

Research potential employers in your chosen field.

Develop tentative goals. Make career-path decisions (e.g. industry vs. government vs. R&D vs. design vs. manufacturing vs. teaching etc.)

Prepare for the FE (EIT) Exam. Take it during your senior year.

Make a realistic and valid first-job choice based upon your career interests.

2. FIRST JOB
Yrs in Work Force: Graduation - 3
Career Phase: New Engineer or Scientist in Training
Typical Age: 22-25

Upgrade from AIAA Student Member to Professional Member.

Adjust to routines of the work environment.

Apply textbook knowledge to real life situations.

Learn the company ropes. Become an effective contributor to the team.

Learn to perform under pressure. Accomplish tasks effectively and on time.

Obtain advanced degree (technical discipline or MBA).

Start preparing for the state professional engineering license, if available, in your field of discipline.

Develop a mentor or sponsor relationship.

Enhance your technical competency. Subscribe to periodicals, technical journals, and/or take continuing education courses.

Present papers on your work (participate in local minisymposia, national young professional paper sessions, etc.)

3. EARLY CAREER
Yrs in Work Force: 3 - 10
Career Phase: Young Professional
Typical Age: 25-32

Focus on your technical specialty, or move toward being a generalist.

Continue developing technical skills and credentials.

Gain exposure to management and other disciplines.

Review your options. Consider changing your career, job, employer, etc. Make enhancements to your progress.

Seek out and accept higher levels of responsibility. Learn to make effective decisions.

Keep up-to-date on advancements in your discipline.

Obtain state engineering license.

Assume a leadership role at the local, regional, or national level of AIAA.

Apply for Associate membership on an AIAA technical committee.

Begin preparing for a senior leadership role.

Transition from being reactive to proactive in your career decisions.

Continue upgrading your leadership role in AIAA.

Consider after-hours graduate programs in your specialty.

4. MID-CAREER
Yrs in Work Force: 10 - 22
Career Phase: Senior Professional
(Technical or Supervisory)
Typical Age: 32-52

Make career path decision; i.e., remain in a technical area or move into management.

Stay technically up-to-date in your chosen specialty.

If moving into management, hone your management and human resources skills.

Apply for full membership on an AIAA technical committee.

Continue to take on additional areas of responsibility or assignments.

Apply for a higher grade of membership in AIAA.

Become a mentor or sponsor.

Achieve national recognition. Assume professional leadership roles.

Continue upgrading your leadership role in AIAA.

Begin retirement planning.

5. LATE CAREER
Yrs in Work Force: 22 - 40
Career Phase: Recognized Expert
Typical Age: 52-Retirement

Continue professional leadership progression by obtaining assignments (or jobs) with increasing responsibility and authority.

Stay technically up-to-date.

Continue mentoring and providing guidance to younger professionals.

Represent your organization outside the workplace. Achieve national or international recognition.

Diversify your skills or develop hobbies that could lead to a second career or added income upon retirement.

Teach at a college or university, or start your own consulting practice.

Continue retirement planning.

6. RETIREMENT
Yrs in Work Force: 40+
Career Phase: Expert Emeritus
Typical Age: 60+

Implement your retirement plans.

Replace required compulsory activity with desired leisure wants.

Consider opportunities for part-time work, consulting, or a second career.

Use accumulated experience and wisdom on behalf of others in various senior roles.

Make meaningful use of your time. Find new sources of professional and personal satisfaction.

Remain active in AIAA; maintain professional contacts.

Tutor precollege students in math, science, or engineering.