Navigating Career Struggles and Leading with Confidence: Insights from Civil Engineer Nikolai Oledin
In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, Dr. James Bryant interviews civil engineer and career mentor Nikolai Oledin about overcoming career struggles and growing into a leadership role. Nikolai discusses his journey from early career uncertainty to leading high-performance teams at Jacobs, one of the largest civil engineering firms in the world. He outlines the importance of networking, mentorship, and personal development in navigating career transitions. Nikolai also shares practical advice on leadership, emphasizing the value of effective communication, understanding team dynamics, and setting personal boundaries to balance work and home life. Tune in to hear actionable strategies and inspirational insights for thriving both professionally and personally.
00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Career Struggles
00:12 Meet Nikolai Oledin: From Uncertainty to Leadership
01:29 Early Career Challenges and Realizations
03:49 Finding Fulfillment in Engineering Projects
07:03 Building People Skills and Leadership
11:04 The Importance of Mentorship and Networking
14:05 Transitioning to Business Development
16:59 Growing with a Business Coach
20:16 Navigating Corporate Leadership
23:12 Balancing Work and Home Life
33:22 Final Thoughts and Advice
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Nicolai graduated from ASU in Tempe, AZ in 2008. He has had a unique career with a few pivots along the way. He is passionate about serving early career engineers and helping them navigate the college to career transition. He is a Financial Coach and Career Coach. He now serves as the Highways Group Leader for Jacobs in the Southwest.
Email nicolai.oliden@jacobs.com
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolai-oliden/
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