Answer extracted from the Empowering Industry Podcast - A Production of Empowering Pumps & Equipment — listen to the full episode below.
How should young engineers advance beyond their initial assigned tasks?
Young engineers should express curiosity and ambition beyond assigned work, show genuine interest in projects, back up colleagues, and spend less time at desks to meet people in shops and plants. By connecting authentically with others, going above and beyond, and being genuinely helpful without expecting immediate return, they will advance significantly in their careers.
Moving beyond the desk: the foundation of career growth
Glenn Powell emphasizes that newcomers may lack industry experience, but they bring strong curiosity and ambition that can set them apart. The key is channeling this energy strategically—not by doing extra busywork, but by actively seeking involvement in meaningful projects and expressing willingness to learn from colleagues.
Physical presence matters more than many junior engineers realize. Powell stresses the importance of leaving the desk to spend time in shops and plants, where real work happens and relationships form naturally. This isn't about being visible for visibility's sake; it's about understanding the business, meeting the people who drive it, and building trust through genuine engagement.
Integrity as your only introduction
Powell draws on wisdom from Elemar McKay, a foundational engineer at Hydro, who taught him that integrity and honesty are limited resources—you only ever get one chance to introduce yourself in your career. This principle shapes how young engineers should approach every interaction.
"Your integrity and your honesty is kind of a limited resource, and you only ever have the chance to introduce yourself once in your career."
Glenn Powell — Senior Engineer at Hydro. With 13 years at Hydro, Powell has progressed from CAD drafter and junior engineer during the 2008-2009 economic crisis to a leader in the global engineering group. His experience spans reliability services, pump testing, and major customer projects—a trajectory shaped by the mentorship principles he now shares with the next generation.
Being genuinely helpful without expecting reciprocal favors is the approach Powell advocates. This doesn't mean becoming a workhorse—it means making deliberate choices to support colleagues and projects that matter, knowing that consistency and reliability compound over time.
A deeper exploration of Powell's career path and the mentors who shaped his approach, including insights on Hydro University and how the company is addressing the skills gap in the engineering industry, reveals how these principles operate at scale.
See also
What ethical principle from Elemar McKay's engineering motto guides professional integrity in technical roles?
Glenn Powell learned from foundational Hydro engineer Elemar McKay that integrity and honesty are limited resources you only introduce once in your career.
What is Hydro University and how does it address the skills gap in the pump and hydraulics industry?
Hydro University is a training initiative designed to transfer knowledge and skills to younger engineers entering the industry as older engineers retire.
How is research and development being applied to smart pump technology for building systems?
Hydro has a current research and development project using the test lab to test smart capabilities of pumps for building circulations and heating systems.
Key takeaways
- Express curiosity and ambition in projects beyond your assigned tasks to stand out early in your career.
- Leave the desk regularly to build relationships and understand the business in shops, plants, and customer sites.
- Offer genuine help without expecting immediate reciprocal favors—consistency and reliability compound over time.
- Protect your integrity at every step; your professional reputation is built once and lasts your entire career.