Coping with the Unknown: Embracing the Beauty of Uncertainty

“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”― Gilda Radner

Uncertainty can be a daunting challenge for up-and-coming engineering professionals, as well as individuals on the rise in any career field. It can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. However, it's important to remember that uncertainty is a natural part of any journey towards success. It's how we respond to uncertainty that ultimately determines our ability to overcome it.

Developing a growth mindset, seeking out mentorship and guidance, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity are all effective ways to navigate uncertainty and emerge stronger on the other side.

A real-life example of dealing with uncertainty can be seen in the story of Elon Musk and his company SpaceX. When SpaceX was founded in 2002, many were skeptical of its goal to revolutionize the space industry. Musk faced a lot of uncertainty in the early days of the company, including technical challenges, financial struggles, and competition from established players in the industry. Despite these challenges, Musk remained committed to his vision and invested heavily in the company's future. He sought out expert advice, embraced failure as a learning opportunity, and remained resilient in the face of setbacks.

Today, SpaceX is a highly successful company that has achieved many firsts in space travel, including the first privately-funded spacecraft to reach orbit and the first privately funded spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station. This is an excellent example of how embracing uncertainty and persevering through challenges can ultimately lead to success.

Up-and-coming engineering professionals, as well as those in other professions, can deal with uncertainty in a number of ways. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Develop a growth mindset: Recognize that uncertainty is a natural part of the journey towards success. Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as signs of failure.

2. Seek out mentorship and guidance: Connect with experienced professionals in your field who can offer advice and support. They can provide valuable insights into how they navigated uncertainty in their own careers.

3. Build a robust support system: Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your goals. Lean on them for emotional support during times of uncertainty.

4. Stay current and adaptable: Keep up with the latest trends and developments in your field. Be open to new ideas and approaches, and be willing to pivot your plans as needed.

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5. Embrace failure: Accept that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things, even if they don't always pan out as expected.

By adopting these strategies, up-and-coming professionals can build resilience and confidence in the face of uncertainty and emerge more substantial and more successful in their careers.

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Marc LeVine is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge NJ and Plainsboro, NJ and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his hometown of Freehold Borough, NJ