Most of us got an engineering or other technical degree and pretty much thought that was the end of our intensive education. Then, Moore’s Law came along and now we really understand its personal impact.  Moore’s law basically says that the number of transistors, processing speed, memory capacity and the capacity of electronic hardware doubles every 18 months.

In much the same way, technical knowledge in many technical disciplines has equivalent half-life. This essentially means that if each of us doesn’t retread technically then we can become functionally obsolescent if not obsolete, which translates to unemployability.

Additionally, we are now dealing with the effects of VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. This demands we learn new skills and/or ways of adapting our careers. VUCA is all about risks and risk management.

So, what should you? If you intend to stay a technical professional, you’ll have to do some for professional development.  If you want, you can move into management, which may mean project management or functional management.

If you decide to get out of the professional track, you’re going to have to get some additional work skills.  What are they? We have identified the following work and even life essential skills.

Peter Drucker, the preeminent management consultant and educator, once said that self-management may well be the most critical asset you have for career success and life happiness.  We believe this as well.

+ Career Management:  explores the work, career, and job changes occurring in ALL engineering disciplines.  Most importantly, provides tips and suggestions as to what you can do to sustain and even accelerate your career in VUCA times. Think of your career as your own small business.

+ Communications Management:  Communications are vital to all work and career decision making.  What separates leaders from managers? What separates million dollar a year professionals and consultants from commodity professionals?  Strong communications.

+ Project Management:  provides the tips and tools on getting things done on time, on budget, and in scope.  Executives and managers want to know that a person can deliver on promises and professionals can execute.

+ Emotional Management. Dr. Hank Lindborg is an expert in emotional management. Management studies confirm that emotional quotient (EQ) may be more important to long-term success than your IQ. Many are finding that IQ is not a measure of life or work success.  Many motivated average or less than average IQ people have excelled in life and work through single focused desire and drive.

+ Risk Management:  Greg Hutchins, the developer of Certified Enterprise Risk Manager®, explains the importance of risk management.  The dictionary defines risk as the “potential for the realization of unwanted negative consequences of an event.”  Therefore, Murphy is alive and well – if something can happen, it will.  Greg reviews the state of risk management and how by consciously or unconsciously calculating probabilities, we make intelligent decisions and take control of our lives.