Most engineers don’t fail because they lack technical ability. They fail because they walk into their first job with the wrong mindset. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down exactly what to do in your first 90 days after getting hired. Not theory, practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately to build momentum, earn trust, and separate yourself fast.

Key Topics Covered

• Why your degree doesn’t prepare you for real-world engineering
• The critical mistake new hires make by trying to change systems too early
• How to learn company systems and processes fast and actually use them
• The difference between learning your job vs. learning how the company operates
• How to identify expectations of your role and execute against them
• Why asking better questions accelerates your growth more than raw intelligence
• How to reverse-engineer success by studying high performers
• The truth about output: why volume of work matters early in your career
• Why effort and reps beat talent in your first year
• How failing fast early builds long-term leverage and confidence

Actionable Steps

• Spend your first 30 days learning systems, tools, and processes inside and out
• Ask for SOPs, documentation, and workflows. Study them aggressively
• Identify who owns what and how work actually flows through the company
• In days 30–60, define your role clearly and document expectations
• Ask high performers how they succeeded and look for patterns
• Build a “battle plan” for the skills that actually matter in your role
• Prioritize output. Do more work than expected and deliver it on time
• Ask questions constantly until things click. Don’t guess blindly
• Put in extra reps early, inside or outside work, to close the experience gap
• Fail quickly while stakes are low so you don’t fail when it matters

Who This Episode Is For

• New graduates about to start or just started their first engineering job
• Engineers in their first year who feel lost or overwhelmed
• High performers who want to accelerate their growth early
• Engineers tired of guessing and wanting a clear execution plan
• Anyone who wants to become indispensable, not just competent

Why It Matters

Your first 90 days set the tone for your reputation, your trajectory, and your opportunities. This is where trust is built, habits are formed, and momentum is created. If you show up with urgency, ownership, and output, you separate yourself fast. If you don’t, you blend in and fall behind. The gap compounds quickly.

Where to Listen

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

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