Half million dollar a year power jobs in your own backyard?

Would you admit in your yearbook that your job is in the Power industry?

Did you know 15 years after you finish your Masters Degree you should be earning over $500k per year salary, bonus, and stock options? Does saying this cause controversy- you bet, but if you are good, in the Power industry this must be your career goal. In this industry you will be at the same time working with, competing with, and supporting some of the best and the brightest people. Of course for others you’re the best and brightest in their work world.

Please listen to me; the picture of success that I am trying to paint is real- you can do it. The half million potential is real. I have seen it many times. I have 43 years in management at all levels from entry level engineer to executive, in all situations from supplier to purchaser, from sales and marketing to shop floor and service- always with some association with the Power industry. Hard work, perseverance and timing were the common denominators in successful careers I observed. The picture is good for those who are capable.

Think about the vertical chain that is the Power industry. If you can’t find something there that is an exciting job… well let’s just leave at that. Look at the changes driven by environmental protection and preservation, high fuel costs, renewable energy, efficient energy usage, need to find alternative fuels, changing cost of capital and the mega-budgets, the ever changing needs of a skilled workforce, and the absolute requirement for job agility and process confidence, plus teamwork- always. Can you be uniquely good at something here- yes but the real question is can you be uniquely good at many different roles? That is what differentiates you from the rest. Companies pay well for those that the company can count on; you know the “go to” people. The person with the good sense; that one who can go anywhere to successfully fulfill the promises to the stakeholder.

Many times I have been asked by individuals and even college classes – what does it take to succeed in this industry? The answer is self evident: right values in-use, can do attitude but with considered judgment, keep your eye on the ball- at the stakeholder, keep learning, always help others as this is the best way to help yourself, and let the results do the bragging not your ego battles.

Results at the level of the external stakeholder……….. why is this is such an underplayed concept today? Your job exists because someone outside your organization or company cares. When your team delivers at this level, you succeed. However, sadly, you must be diligent against becoming one of those who is better at explaining why the results fall short of expectations- guess what we already know. What we want are people who are a part of the solution not a part of the problem. Amazingly people try to sell stories that even they would not believe if told to them.

You get results so your team exceeds expectations- you succeed. Management knows who they can count on; you don’t have to raise your hand- team success. Simply stated perform better than the average performance of those who are one level higher and let the results make the entire team successful. Succeed in silence. Your boss really does see a broader range of issues it is up to you to comprehend this breath.

If you are a major contributor to the team’s success you can ask the boundary question because people know you do it for everyone’s success not to boost yourself. Remember success comes from three things: what you do, what others do for you, and timing. The one’s who think it is only what they themselves do eventually fail.

 

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