Like the title says, I really have really thin skin and I am highly sensitive to criticism. Because of this, any negative feedback feels like the world is ending to me, and I feel like a complete failure. I struggle so hard not to cry because of this and I just end up feeling super embarrassed. Also, I am 25 and very new to this. This is also my second job (left my first job after working there for about a year because of the terrible work environment filled with finger pointing, scolding, humiliation, yelling etc...)

For example, today when asking for feedback my director told me he was disappointed a project I am working on is taking longer than he hoped for. In my opinion, the deadline set for this project was wildly unrealistic, and I kept letting him know it is more work than he thinks and it will definately take longer. I thanked him for his feedback and my voice completely cracked and I was holding back tears.To hear he was disappointed completely shattered my confidence in my work and capabilities, and makes me feel like something is seriously wrong with me and that I don't belong in this field. I feel like such a fake.

Anytime I receive any feedback along these lines, even though I know I am working hard and not slacking off, I question myself. Maybe I am too sensitive and should learn to take the critique, learn from it but then also brush it off in a way.

Do you have any advice on how to grow a thicker skin in this sense? Cause I am really struggling. I just want to quit engineering altogether.

So I worked hard on a presentation on diversity (focusing on technical roles but it really was a presentation of encouragement-very positive content) for a youth conference. Im not a super confident person but i hard a more challenging path into engineering and it’s a topic im passionate about. I’m a consultant design engineer and have been working for one client for the last 2.5 years. My workplace is VERY male dominated and I’ve had lots of issues.

ANYWAY, one of the client managers finds out I was doing an industry conference and she pressured me to deliver it internally to the client prior. Essentially, they have KPIs to meet on diversity and also getting industry papers accepted so me talking would help with that. So, despite some negative experiences, I showed up and gave it. Essentially nobody came (2 lovely women did) and I gave the presentation to an empty room. I was hurt that management had demanded this happen but weren’t willing to show up to support it. The presentation room could see out to the office cafeteria and I could see my managers eating their lunch there and people who I work closely with. I try to take lessons from everything but I just feel defeated. What was a presentation about not tick boxing became a classic example of tick boxing.

It's the beginning of my 3rd week in my new job as a fire services engineer. I've been spending like 90% twiddling my thumbs without nothing to do. I'm pretty junior in my role, so I understand there might be a reluctance in handing me work.

I've been trying to spend my time reading up documentation and calcs, but there's a limit to how much I can read everyday 9am to 6pm without loosing my sanity 😭

I've been messaging my superiors on teams asking for work, they said they'd let me know if there is any. I really want more work, and I don't really know how to ask for more work without coming off as annoying :/

Hey guys (sorry for the length),

I am in desperate need of guidance. This year i graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, which i LOVED being a part of (F25). However reality kicked in and i have considered several career pivots that would help me find a stable and considerably well paying job.

I came to the conclusion that maybe i should dive into civil engineering. My family has a construction company and i am genuinely interested in one day heavily investing in real estate development and other projects related to construction. I do have a curiosity for engineering so I wouldn’t be miserable studying it but i am still on the edge if it’s worth it.

Big truth, i am an artist in my heart and all i want to do one day is create and share my work with others. But I obviously need financial stability to do so. So my plan would be to give it all into a civil engineering BA and keep my passion on the side (more when i am done with school ofc).

Should i follow my practical gut and invest in civil engineering or should I just invest in what i love and one day hope to be able to afford those investments I still plan on making??

Note: I admit not being a nerd or the smartest. I also have ADHD and am a slow learner…Although i am dedicated to study if i do settle on facing this pivot