Frustrated at lack of opportunity

 Hi Brew, 

I don't know what a normal time table is for promotion to field engineer but I assume someone in your position is normally promoted to field engineer at this point in your career.  If most people are not normally promoted until 2 years in I would give it some more time.  If most people are normally promoted sooner then I would definitely have a conversation with my supervisor and just let him know, hey I really want more responsibility.  What do I need to do to receive more responsibility and then listen to what your supervisor says.  This may have nothing to do with you at all.  They may love you and feel you are ready but, depending on how work is delegated at your firm, you may not have opportunities for a while yet.  Its hard to say without more info.  The bottom line is you have to have a great attitude and keep delivering great results whatever they have you do.  

Don't assume your boss knows what you want. You can (and I believe you should) have the conversation with your boss that ILKHAN recommended. You can't be sure he knows what you're looking for unless you tell him. Tell him you want to broaden your knowledge and experience and ask what he recommends you do to achieve that.  Keep it positive and focused on how your increased knowledge will help the entire team. Increased flexibility to respond to issues in the field is a huge benefit and your greater knowledge and experience will directly contribute to that flexibility.

Don't waste time talking about how long you have been waiting for the promotion - length of time in a position is not a good argument for promotion. Your promotion needs to be based on what you bring to the team and asking for more field assignments, etc. will increase your value to the team. That increased value is what will get you promoted.

Steve

"Don't waste time talking about how long you have been waiting for the promotion - length of time in a position is not a good argument for promotion. Your promotion needs to be based on what you bring to the team and asking for more field assignments, etc. will increase your value to the team. That increased value is what will get you promoted."

Words of wisdom there, my Friend.

I can't tell you how many young individual contributors and even mangers that I have come across in my career that seem to think that promotions automatically happen after a certain time in their current job.  In some organizations they do.  But not in the best ones.

-Tim

I have several field engineers working for me, and I have to send them offshore, so it is likely I am in the same position as your boss; or rather, their supervisor is in the same position as your boss. Regardless of that distinction, there are many obstacles to sending someone out on a solo job. There are several factors involved that you may or may not see:

• How political is the situation? If we are following up mistakes, then an experienced FSE is required.
• How difficult is the problem? If the level of difficulty is high, then again an experienced FSE is required.
• Is it a new or an existing customer? If a new customer, an experienced FSE is required.
• What equipment or areas has the inexperienced FSE shown aptitude? If you have never seen the equipment, you cannot be sent.

As you can see, the decision to send someone out solo is not just "Is it his turn?" The "right" job has to be available at the right time. Unless your boss is personally targeting you - which I doubt, but it is possible - then he is probably just waiting for the right job to send you on. To send you out where you are going to fail is not in his best interest nor is it in your best interest. Likewise, not supporting the customer solely because "you've been waiting long enough" is also not a possibility.

My suggestion is to let it be known without complaining that you feel ready to go out solo, and then wait until the right job comes up. In the meantime, learn as much about all of the equipment as you can while you are in the shop. That's why you are in the shop.

DonM