Hey everyone,

This week, I’m sharing my experience moving from a small firm to a big one—and what that’s meant for my career and growth over the last year nine months. This year had a lot of ups and downs (this episode was recorded in June and I am just getting it out…). I am happy for Nicolai’s support through this and I look forward to many more episodes coming out.

What would you like to see more of?

Personal takeaways:

* Flexibility: Turns out, the big company isn’t as slow-moving as I thought. Milestones and structure actually bring freedom to explore, innovate, and make mistakes.

* Expanded toolbox: The more people you connect with—across disciplines—the better you get at your job. Every new conversation and collaboration adds a new tool.

* Resources: There’s more access to technical codes, sample projects, and experts, but also space to build my own reusable tools, like spreadsheets for designs.

* Soft skills: Volunteering and joining internal networks (like Enlace for Hispanic engineers) have grown my network and boosted my confidence. These bigger companies have endless training resources.

* Endless career pivots: You can chart new paths, propose new ideas, and switch directions—all without leaving the company.

Action items for you:

* If you’re thinking of switching firm sizes or career tracks, connect with someone who’s done it. Be curious, not cautious.

* Start a conversation with colleagues outside your “bubble.” There’s wisdom everywhere.

* Volunteer, join an internal group, or attend a conference—don’t wait for permission, but do learn the process for asking.

* Reflect on whether your workflows and resources are making you more effective—and start building (or sharing) something reusable.

As always, keep an open mind. If your current job isn’t sparking joy, experiment with new options before making a leap. We’re here to help you navigate challenges!

If you’ve got questions, feedback, or just want to chat, reply to this email or visit luisfelipeduque.com/contact.

Thanks for tuning in. Let’s continue to engineer our future!

In this episode, we sit down with Danny to explore the powerful link between creativity and engineering. Danny explains how skills from music—attention to detail, organizing projects, and pushing boundaries—enhance his success as an engineer. The conversation also covers the challenges of balancing demanding work schedules with creative hobbies, and why setting boundaries is vital for long-term passion.

Key Topics:

• How artistic pursuits improve technical skills

• Balancing engineering projects and creative work

• Building confidence by stepping out of your comfort zone

• Personal advice on maintaining motivation and preventing burnout

• The connection between technical expertise and fulfilling personal passions

Watch the episode: [insert video link]

Connect with Danny/Rayo Lejano: [insert music or social link]

Share your thoughts!

What creative outlets help you succeed in your career? Send us your stories and questions!

5 Key Takeaways:

• Creativity boosts problem-solving and inspires innovation.

• Musical training supports project management and quality control.

• Work-life boundaries sustain motivation and passion.

• Trying new creative activities leads to growth and confidence.

• Combining creative and technical skills leads to a richer professional and personal life.

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode, Nicolai and I dive into what it’s like to step outside your comfort zone. I recently started taking piano lessons—something I’ve literally never done before. I grew up playing sports, so music was just never part of my world. But honestly? It’s been an awesome challenge, and I wanted to share what I’ve been learning with you all.

🤔 Why this matters (especially if you’re early in your career)

Engineering is all about constant learning. New tech stack, new process, new role—rinse and repeat. Picking up a hobby gives you a low-stakes space to practice that same growth mindset. You learn to be patient with yourself, push through when things get tough, and ask for help when you’re stuck. Plus, reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) makes your next attempt way better. That feedback loop is crucial. (Forbes on reflective practice)

🎹 Piano, from my perspective

I’m starting completely from scratch. Reading sheet music felt like trying to read hieroglyphics at first. Getting an instructor has been a game-changer—I’m avoiding bad habits, getting real-time feedback, and following a clear plan instead of just fumbling around on YouTube. Same principle applies at work: good mentorship plus focused practice time is what actually moves you forward. (Deep Work)

🧵 Sewing, from Nicolai’s perspective

Nicolai thought he’d knock out an “easy” pillow project. Turns out, not so easy. He gave up for a bit, then realized the whole point wasn’t to make something perfect—it was to figure out how to learn something new. Now he’s back at it with a more realistic goal and some checkpoints along the way. It’s all about progress, not perfection. (Todoist on progress journaling)

📚 Handy links

* Deep Work by Cal Newport

* Forbes: journaling to learn

* Todoist: progress journaling

* ASCE mentorship programs

🏆 Your turn

Pick a hobby outside engineering this week. Two short sessions. Three lines of notes after each. Share with #EngineeringOurFuture—we’d love to shout out a few on the show.

💬 Stay in the Loop

* Newsletter: Weekly vibes, tips, and ep deep dives at luisfelipeduque.com/newsletter.

* Contact Us: Hobby ideas? Hit luisfelipeduque.com/contact.

* Rate Us: help us reach more engineers!