“Both butchers and doctors cut meat; but they are compensated differently. You will be compensated according to the value that you bring to the market” Ap. Moses Mukisa.
I attended a workshop organized by the UCT Careers Service during my stay at the University of Cape Town. A lady professional of psychology facilitated the session. At the end, I learnt that pay is based on the risk carried by the position occupied. And not on the amount of work done by the employee. As you climb the professional ladder, the amount of work done directly reduces but the risk carried increases. Therefore, the pay increases. The value you bring to the table is related to the risk carried.
In relation to my previous blog, Geotechnical Engineers in Uganda, we ought to start bringing high value on the table of engineering. Many of us are complaining about the pay related to the services we offer. I suggest that we stop complaining. Instead, we should concentrate on increasing our value. One of the suggestions I put forward was a shift towards Geotechnical Engineering Designs.
Recently I have had discussions with two of my former students supervising construction of infrastructures in Uganda with Geotechnical components. Their job is to implement what is forwarded to them. How the conclusion is reached is none of their business. Unless you sit on the Table of Men/Women, you will have to take whatever is given to you. Quoting Professor Lance Noe “If you are not at the table advocating, influencing or deciding, you are on the menu being eaten”.
What other ways can we increase our value as Geotechnical Engineers in Uganda? Some may disagree with going for further studies specializing in Geotechnical Engineering. For those who may agree, University of Cape Town is recommendable.
As a developing graduate Engineer ,it takes bigger steps and continued commitments to sit on the table of decision making . This many times hinders graduate engineers to have that zeal to make a free thinking and bring to the table , “Engineers” already at the table might not take it in a good way seeing a fresh person influencing decisions at a young age ,many want experience with continued implementation of what is discussed as per years in the field . Therefore it is risky itself trying to sit on the table .
~free thinking~
Henry .A
Thank you. This is very insightful.
Dear Eng.Samuel Jjuko
The write up is good.
However me in particular wish to enhance my career via Geotechnical Engineering and possibly not in position to incur tuition and other costs related during it’s execution in S.A
In Uganda any recommendations??
Thanks
Good day
Please try Makerere University.
Warmest Regards