A senior engineer is retiring

Dec 16, 2016 6:33 PM

boozel

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91376

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1771

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I'm the replacement. Pray for me - I'm almost a year out of school and this dude has been doing this stuff for about 35 years.

I wouldn't be too concerned - if he wasn't a key player in a large team. fffffuck

EDIT: I'm a SOFTWARE engineer - I'm not building bridges lol. I probably should have mentioned that, as I've gotten messages about it. Thanks for all your support! :)

listen to your chiefs

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

sort of in he same situation but in my case mechatronics experts are in short supply

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have a coworker who's done IT longer than I've been alive. It's...man, it's something.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

First of all you can't replace him . Start reading his code and refactor his shit or fix bugs.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If your team is properly managed by an intelligent individual with a shred of leadership skill, they will understand you need to grow.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The biggest criticism of young SEs is that they are too removed from what the computer is doing and they write shit code. So don't do that

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What happened when you hit I'm feeling lucky?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Honestly, it's easier than it sounds. He's been in the industry for 35 years, but the latest technology to do that job hasn't. Learn that.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's better to have you than to have nobody at all

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Keep dropping the term "learning curve", it will make you sound legit.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

... are you replacing my dad? Just curious, what company is this? Does it start with an m?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As long as you're confident you'll be fine.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My boss became judge a month ago. I kept some of the staff and open my own office. One lady is 53 years into her career. She is irreplaceabl

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Learned today that when I graduate, my mentor will change depts and they'll expect me to pick up his niche work. Right there with ya, OP.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Am I the only one who watched at the post twice, waiting for another sentence?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Someone will always step up when there's need. In this case you will. Good luck OP.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Happened to me. It can be pretty bitter.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What's even worse: I'm not that good.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm feeling lucky lol

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Did a software he created suddenly disappear today? If so have I got some bad news for you.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Reference game on point.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Two words. Stack Overflow.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They chose you. Just do the best to learn... quickly.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Did you start at the caboose and work your way forward?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I replaced a senior engineer who had been doing IT for as long as I've been alive. Just bunker down and you'll be better for making it

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 34 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The only thing you need to focus on is doing your best. Do you have a support team for when you're inevitably in over your head?

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Yes - I'm expected to rely on some of the other seniors for a year or so. I'm excited, but I still want to exceed expectations, you know? :)

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Well, they picked you for a reason. Congrats and best of luck. If you're ever in need of a code monkey...

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Get as much documentation out of him as you can before he leaves.

9 years ago | Likes 79 Dislikes 0

He's never gonna bother with documentation.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 6

He was with the company for 35 years, he obviously cares enough to at least put some stuff down in documents.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Dude. You don't know anything. So don't worry about it. They will train you. You're not a replacement. And you're not even an engineer yet.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

@boozel if ever you listen to advice let it be now.

9 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

Oh yeah, way ahead of you there. I've got about 3 books worth of PDFs to digest.

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Ask your boss for OneNote. You will be thankful later.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

As a senior engineer: If your manager expects you to functionally replace this person they are an idiot. Don't worry about it.

9 years ago | Likes 198 Dislikes 0

@OP seems out of danger, but in general I would worry about management being idiots

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thanks! Luckily, management here is awesome. They've made it very clear that their expectations are about two years of "training wheels".

9 years ago | Likes 77 Dislikes 0

I'm in a similar boat, but my predecessor was not some genius software engineer for google, he was an AS400 tech who never learned Windows.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

OH MAN I'm not at Google, haha! Heck no. But, I am doing software/firmware. ;) We actually have dudes like your predecessor around here...

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Hm, i dont know why i thought your post said the job was google. Well, good luck anyway OP! Are you a developer? I generally work sysadmin.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You will likely learn more in the first year and a half than you learned all through college, but the first 9 months might be rough.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

As an EIT that has been working for less than a year, I'm kind of annoyed that you think you're replacing a professional engineer with 30yrs

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I am guessing you are a civil engineer or something, in which case I agree. but if this is in the computer industry, I could see it

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

So you're saying that you can get 30 years' experience in less than a year in the computer industry? The other 29 are meaningless?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

im saying if it is new technology it is easier to catch up

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

as in Software Engineering...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They won't expect you to do all the stuff from the very beginning. Relax, and be confident

9 years ago | Likes 325 Dislikes 2

If you just graduated and have no experience than they have no expectation that you will be a replacement.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes. Be confident. That is the key to a lot of life situations. Figure it out later.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This, you learn pretty much every job on the job, despite what you may need to unlearn from school.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thank you! They've made it clear I'm expected to have about two years of transition time. I have a lot of support, too - my body is ready!

9 years ago | Likes 123 Dislikes 1

Remember: a smart man knows what he knows, is aware of what he does not know, and knows where to find the latter. Words from my professor.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Been in similar situation different field and only 13-15 years for who I replaced. I had to simplify all steps to not work 13hrs/day

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Never assume, ask questions constantly.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

After about 6 years as civil engineer, try to master one thing at a time. It's the best advice I can give.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Is that where the retiring guy is going to show you the ropes?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

But is your mind ?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I certainly hope so. Fear is the mind-killer.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

So the retiring guy is going to be with you for 2 years?

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

No, there are other super-experienced seniors that I can tap for any help I might need. Retiring guy is 100% peace-ing out. :)

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Awesome, good luck!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

EIT here looking for work. I can type stuff into Google for you?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Mind me asking what you do?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm a software/firmware engineer at a video and production media company. We make all kinds of neat stuff for video signal processing

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0