Meet the Author
Hello, my name is William S. Nettekoven (I go by Bill) and I’ve written this book to help you navigate and be successful at your job. While much of the information here is applicable to most any job you may be starting, it is especially geared towards those individuals for whom this is their first job. Note, this is not just for college graduates! The vast majority of the information can be applied to most any job. Thus, it doesn’t matter if you are a high school, vo-tech, trade school or graduate of a different program as you can benefit from this book.
I have a degree in mechanical engineering, with a minor in chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Prior to graduation I took additional courses in biomedical engineering which helped to prepare me for working in my field of choice which is designing medical devices. I have recently retired, (yes, I am an older dude), but have always had a strong desire to help those just entering the workforce and helping them succeed.
I am in a unique position to help you because I’ve worked with and for a variety of different companies. These range from start-ups to large Fortune 500 companies and most everything in between. In 2008, two others and I started a medical device company which we sold in 2019. Thus, I know how things work and how they are quite different depending on the size of the company versus someone who has only worked for large or small companies.
I have been a front-line manager of people for over 35 years. From just a couple of direct reports to many through layers of management.
I have a strong desire to help those just graduating. I have set up engineering co-op programs at four different companies. Served as advisor to students on their senior design projects at three different universities (multiple times). I have also been a judge for high school robotics competition (FIRST®) for over 18 years.
Finally, from the research I’ve done, many of the resources one finds with respect to this topic are authored by individuals with a Human Resource background. Not to cast doubt on the importance of these people, most HR people have not had the responsibility of front-line management and the challenges therein whereas I have.
Hopefully you will benefit from what I’ve written.
William S. Nettekoven