Networking remains a vital part of career development no matter the industry. If you are an oil and gas engineer, you need to grow your professional network, leveraging both local opportunities and online sites like LinkedIn.

Untimely mistakes can also detract from your networking efforts. Here are five missteps you need to be sure to avoid when attending a professional networking opportunity.

1. Only Interacting with those you already know at an Event

Networking events are designed for professionals to meet new people in their field. Interacting only with people you already know at an event defeats the purpose of attending. Get over any shyness and introduce yourself!

2. Not Maintaining a Confident Demeanor

It is important to exude confidence when networking. Believe in yourself and your engineering abilities and it will show when meeting new people at any professional event.

3. Don’t Treat your Network as a One Way Street

Of course you want to grow your professional network, but so do the other attendees at this event. Make it a point to introduce anyone you meet to others with whom you maintain a professional relationship. One way networks aren’t valuable to any career.

4. Networking isn’t about collecting Business Cards

Focus more on talking with and learning about your new connection before asking for their business card. Some professionals merely collect a ton of business cards with little forethought on what to do with them. Establishing a true connection is more important than a piece of card stock.

5. Never Following Up is a Big Networking Mistake

Following up with each your new contacts after any event truly establishes a professional connection. If you don’t follow up, chances are you will be forgotten with only a lonely business card to trigger a memory. Don’t let that happen!

Remember these potential networking mistakes before heading off to your next professional event.

If you need any additional advice on professional networking in the oil and gas industry, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, they are a great source for Seattle engineering jobs. Be sure to schedule a meeting with them today!

Process engineers play a key role in helping to define, implement, and manage the step by step procedures used in industrial or chemical manufacturing. Depending on the type of process engineer, different educational and work experiences are required. One major commonality between the two is the ability to understand procedures with the keen eye of a project manager able to create optimized processes.

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of process engineers, along with a breakdown of the relevant salary information.

Summarizing the Industrial Process Engineer

Process engineers that work in manufacturing are usually involved with assembly line activity, especially if their employment is in the automotive industry. The engineer needs to have detailed knowledge of all the equipment and procedures used in the manufacturing process. The ability to recognize points of improvement and optimization in the assembly line is a valuable skill for a process engineer.

Companies looking for industrial process engineers generally prefer to see a Bachelor’s Degree in either Industrial or Mechanical Engineering. Excellent communication skills are a must, as being able to interact with other workers is vital. Strong computer skills as well as the familiarity with commonly used industrial controls and micro controllers are also important attributes.

Experienced industrial process engineers can expect their yearly salary to average around $85,000. A starting salary for newly-minted engineers out of college is around $60,000 per year.

Chemical Process Engineers deal with Procedures as well

Process engineers working in a chemical facility must be able to define and implement procedures involved in chemical production. Obviously, an educational background in Chemical Engineering is a must, along with familiarity with using computer-based tools to design processes and manage their operation. Being able to recognize ways to optimize these procedures is another attribute shared between all types of successful process engineers.

The salary breakdown for chemical process engineers is similar to their industrial counterparts. Expect an average salary in the $80,000 per year range, with a starting salary around $50,000 to $60,000 per year.

If the lucrative world of process engineering intrigues you, be sure to talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing companies in the Seattle area, and a great source for Seattle engineering jobs, they can help you start or further your career in engineering. Schedule some time with them today!