Professional Development: Why It Matters

As U.S. unemployment rates remain historically low, it’s a job seeker’s market for the foreseeable future. In this competitive landscape, we understand the need for successful programs, foundational values, and innovative ways to attract and retain top talent. As an award-winning employer committed to being the leading systems, technology, and management solutions provider in the industry, we strive to exude excellence that shapes our reputation among peers, industry organizations, and major publications. This starts with the investment we make in our employees.

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Learning Beyond a Formal Education

A strong emphasis on professional development is at the heart of our success in supporting employees. Sonya Tolliver, Human Resources Manager at?INTUITIVE, highlights our commitment to employee growth: "We invest in our employees' professional development because when they succeed, we succeed too." Tolliver started with INTUITIVE as a student, then through tuition reimbursement programs, the company paid for her to earn her master’s degree and human resources certifications to earn the job she has today. Our commitment to employee growth goes beyond just formal education and certifications; we are dedicated to building a nurturing culture that is founded upon professional development opportunities. At INTUITIVE, the values of learning and continuous improvement are deeply ingrained in the company culture. Therefore, employees proactively seek education and knowledge-sharing opportunities through Communities of Practice (COPs). These communities routinely engage subject matter experts to share their specialized technical knowledge. Not only does this create a knowledge-sharing space, but it also builds up a network of experts.

Inspiring Leadership and Fostering Growth

Professional development means more than just educational opportunities, though. At INTUITIVE, that development also focuses on creating a culture . Jacob Voss, Program Manager who joined the company in 2015, says INTUITIVE accomplishes that through loosely structured programs and guidelines rather than rules or mandates.

“One of my favorite practices in the culture in the electrical engineering group is the non-supervisory sponsor program,” said Voss. “Before we onboard a new employee, we find a mentor for them and link them as a sponsor.” That sponsor’s responsibilities might include calling the new employee before they start work, answering questions, checking in before day one, and meeting the new employee upon arrival to tour the workspace and make introductions.

As a part of the culture we build, we also offer leadership programs like ELITE, which stands for excellence, leadership, innovation, technology, and ethics. The program gives emerging leaders exposure to the company’s executive team, their community, and their coworkers, creating an environment that lets them develop relationships with senior leaders, and demonstrate their technical abilities as well as soft skills. Voss participated in the ELITE program during his first year on the job. “My team’s project was the INTUITIVE Planetarium at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center . We had a chance to work alongside INTUITIVE’s team as well as industry and community leaders across the city of Huntsville,” said Voss. “It was a great educational opportunity for all of us, as well as a chance to demonstrate our commitment to getting the work done—our willingness to go the extra mile.”

Voss added that the chance to make use of his people skills – in addition to his engineering skills – set him up for a step forward on his career path, shifting into business development.

Developing One Another

INTUITIVE’s mentoring program, while not a formal program, encourages all employees, no matter their title or experience level, across the company both to have a mentor and to be a mentor – Have One, Be One. Voss, who has done both, says the informal nature of the program keeps it from being too boxed in or becoming stagnant. Voss says his own mentoring efforts typically go far beyond technical skills. He likes to focus on the nuances of a professional environment that typically aren’t taught in school. “I dig into emotional intelligence, the softer skills that will help engineers grow as professionals. Learning the intricacies of office etiquette and the situational awareness to avoid conflicts with clients or coworkers—these are valuable skills that aren’t always intuitive to everyone,” said Voss. Employees across the company desire to be a resource for those around them, whether that is through mentoring, Communities of Practice, publishing technical papers, lunch and learns, and more.

Creating Your Own Path

Many engineering companies follow a set career path for each role in the company, but we take a different, more individual approach that allows for customized growth. Embracing a “performance-based approach,” we reward employees based on their contributions and the value they bring. We offer flexibility for individuals seeking diverse career paths and empower employees to trust their abilities, desires, and work ethic. “Depending on what an employee wants to do next, what skills they want to acquire, their next step may not always be straight forward,” said Tolliver. “Sometimes it might be sideways, or maybe even a step back that leads to a new path.”

If the current job market has you rethinking your current career path, consider joining an organization committed to employee success, as well as ethics, diversity, and giving back. Your career doesn’t have to be stagnant; it can be exciting and full of growth opportunities that surround you with thought leaders and problem solvers.

When it comes to your career, are you making The INTUITIVE Choice ?