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Travis Power
Littleton, CO
Project Engineer
Engineering
Fans (32)
Groups (5)

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Berrak S. We're working on a Team Brazen blog and I'd love your input on Grad School vs. Real World Experience. This is something I'm battling with as well: If I have the real world experience, is it necessary for me to go to grad school? Will it enhance my chances of moving forward in my career? What do you guys think? What's been your experience?

54 weeks ago from Education, Human Resources, Entry-Level Young Professionals, Career Changers and Graduate Students3 more

Sal Pellettieri: Grad school was useful for me in that I learned some theory and practical applications in my field (finance). However I would say that about ...MoreGrad school was useful for me in that I learned some theory and practical applications in my field (finance). However I would say that about 80-90% of what I have learned in most classes (undergrad, grad, misc. courses etc) was useless. What has been more important is the credibility that the letters after my name has afforded me.
52 weeks ago
Danver Chandler: the 'paper' it seems helps in some situations, though the reality of it is that its worth in an economy like this may be less than what you paid
50 weeks ago
 
Berrak S. We're working on a Team Brazen blog and I'd love your input on Grad School vs. Real World Experience. This is something I'm battling with as well: If I have the real world experience, is it necessary for me to go to grad school? Will it enhance my chances of moving forward in my career? What do you guys think? What's been your experience?

54 weeks ago from Graduate Students, Career Changers, Entry-Level Young Professionals, Human Resources and Education3 more

Travis Power: My current employer, which is a 20,000+ employee engineering company, I had thought that a graduate level education was necessary to move up. ...MoreMy current employer, which is a 20,000+ employee engineering company, I had thought that a graduate level education was necessary to move up. However, I would roughly estimate that less than half of the senior leadership team has any sort of graduate level education.

Its become apparent to me as I finish my graduate education and try and move up the ladder that it is not as I had thought. It now seems to me that all you need is to "prove" yourself, put your time in, and buddy up to senior level people to get promoted.

54 weeks ago
Tracy Brisson: The way you phrase the question, my answer would be yes. If you have the real world experience, a degree can help you earn much more than your ...MoreThe way you phrase the question, my answer would be yes. If you have the real world experience, a degree can help you earn much more than your peers who have similar experience over your life time. Also, to maximize your earnings, you don't have to go to school full-time.

In US World News and Report's May "Where the Jobs Are," a study was cited that found that graduate degrees were insensitive to economic downturns. It didn't matter when you got a graduate degree, you earned more where people who earn BAs in an economic downturn earn less. However, I think that will change if they re-do the study in a few years after all the post-Lehman law school grads hit the job market.

53 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Cameron Plommer Remember when you were in college and you wanted to "change the world?" I did, but soon realized that I can do very little with only 23 years of living. It's a dangerous attitude to come out of college wanting to change the world. In college everything is simplified when you get out you then realize you don't know shit about how the world actually works. And that is the key to changing things: first you need to know how it works. Then you can work on solutions. Thoughts? Am I wrong?

75 weeks ago from Brazen Undergrads, Entry-Level Young Professionals and Ask Penelope Trunk!1 more

Aaron Evans: Hi Cameron,

I know this is an overdue reply, but I know exactly what you are going through here. You nailed it with this post: the operative word ...More
Hi Cameron,

I know this is an overdue reply, but I know exactly what you are going through here. You nailed it with this post: the operative word is HOW? How am I going to do it? You are on the right track though; most get out of college and stop asking how to do things, how to change things, how to make things better, how to live better? That is the most important step!

Many people don't take that first step to recognize how things can be improved. Essentially, they give up. "This is the way it is.. nothing can be done about it."

When you ask "How?" though, you are taking that first step.. and it is amazing how just taking a step builds into more steps, and this momentum that begins to form, almost without effort, helps you and others around you accomplish amazing things!

Keep asking the question "How?", you will be much better for it!

All the best,
Aaron

63 weeks ago
Adam Moulson: Agree 1000%
60 weeks ago
 
Travis Power Studio Series: Agile the Pivotal Way, Boulder, CO. A free event for people interested in agile software development/project management. http://t.co/CikC2fp

73 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

Elizabeth Raley: That's awesome Travis - thanks!
73 weeks ago
 
David Spinks When should you quit your first job?

75 weeks ago from u30pro

Eleanor Newman: I think it depends to a large degree on what type of company you're working for. If you're limited to a very narrow set of job functions and ...MoreI think it depends to a large degree on what type of company you're working for. If you're limited to a very narrow set of job functions and managers don't reward creativity, direct your energies elsewhere. But jobs at startups could potentially turn into something awesome. I started working for a startup publication 3 months ago and have gone from filling in spreadsheets to pitching and writing my own stories, learning about layout, and even (gasp) getting to tour a thermoelectric power plant!
75 weeks ago
Travis Power: I can't help but think of the quote by JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country". Do businesses exist ...MoreI can't help but think of the quote by JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country". Do businesses exist for personal growth or for the growth of society? Is it selfish to view it as simply a means for personal growth, rather than an opportunity to add something valuable to society? Is it possible to move up the corporate ladder with an all about me view of business?
74 weeks ago
 
Dan Corbett Tips for MBA Success I recently completed my MBA at the University of Colorado - Boulder and have been looking back at my notes from the effort. While the courses have decidedly improved my knowledge base, perhaps the most important lessons occurred supplementary to the classroom. Post #1: Team Building, Performance, and Leadership http://www.dancorbett.net/2010/07/13/mba-lessons-1-team-building-perform...

76 weeks ago from Engineers, Venture Capital, Rocky Mountain Networking, Denver Careerists and Business Development3 more

Travis Power: I am almost done with the Engineering Management Program at CU Boulder and have similar comments. In teams, the most important thing is to ...MoreI am almost done with the Engineering Management Program at CU Boulder and have similar comments. In teams, the most important thing is to determine motives of the "shareholders" (teamates)before starting. My best team experience have been aligned by their expectations especially when they are letter grades.

By asking expectations and what teamates want out of the team, what they want to learn, etc, you will be more likely to engage everyones interests when breaking up tasks.

In many situations it also will make sense to elect a leader but don't forget to assign responsibilities to the position. Get your teamates buy-in because in some cases the leaders opinion may be used as a tie-breaker but it should be previously agreed upon.

Lastly, decide on a method for communication. I'm a distance student, so my teams have to decide on how we'll communicate. Typically this involves scheduled meetings a week in advance, skype for communication during meetings, and some sort of file sharing webapp so we can share docs throughout the project. We've used google docs for this.

76 weeks ago
 
Travis Power I'm working with a few other product managers to create an event called Rocky Mountain Product Camp. This is a free day long event with sessions all about products! If you're interested, check it out at RMPCamp.org or Twitter @rmpcamp. Very cool community.

76 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

Derek Scruggs: Hi Travis, I'm interested in helping out. My background is primarily B2B web apps. Please put me on the notification list.
76 weeks ago
Travis Power: Hey Derek. You can register for the event at www.rmpcamp.org. Right ...MoreHey Derek. You can register for the event at www.rmpcamp.org. Right now we're organizing volunteers in two groups depending on their available time. The first group would join us for the front end work/planning of the event. The other group would be willing to commit to just the day of the event. Either way you'll still be able to attend sessions, network, learn, and participate.
76 weeks ago
 
Travis Power www.rmpcamp.org. There is a product camp that I'm helping to organize here in Denver. Anybody interested in products should attend. Its going to be a great event. More info by clicking the link.

77 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

 
Kayla Zajec Hello everyone!!!! Next spring I want to relocate to the Denver metro area. By then I will have finished my Master's and have 3 years of progressively added responsibility. What is your advise for relocating to the beautiful Rockies?

81 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

Travis Power: Most desirable areas to live are NW of Denver: Boulder, Westminster, Wheatridge. Highlands Ranch is nice too but less business down there. ...MoreMost desirable areas to live are NW of Denver: Boulder, Westminster, Wheatridge. Highlands Ranch is nice too but less business down there. Colorado Springs is closer to the mountains and has some good engineering. Denver is of course where everything is, especially if you're single. What are you really interested in learning?
81 weeks ago
 
Andy Wong Hello all! Quick survey: Is there a future for a multidisciplinary engineer who is versatile, or is it better to become very specialized in one thing alone? I have had experience doing mechanical / electrical R&D, programming and IT. Right now I am in the biotech field doing automation & instrumentation, and am pondering what to do next; are there jobs that can utilize wide backgrounds, or is it better to pick one and specialize (ie. Masters/PhD)? I am looking for the next step but am lost..

83 weeks ago from Engineers

Amy: I think diversity in one's background allows income stability. If one portion of the field is slow or contracting, one can work on another aspect.
83 weeks ago
JRandom42: Diversity is great, but not at the expense of expertise. That's what engineers are hired for. It's the old "jack of all trades, master of none" ...MoreDiversity is great, but not at the expense of expertise. That's what engineers are hired for. It's the old "jack of all trades, master of none" syndrome. You can't do everything equally well, so you might as well devlope some expertise in an area that interests you.
83 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh Anyone else having a hard time working and watching the World Cup instead? Which team are you picking to win it all? I have Brazil for one of my brackets and Germany in the other (my wild card bracket). Interested in hearing who you guys are picking ...

86 weeks ago from Fit Freaks, Women in Sports and Rant Sports1 more

Jake: At the end of my bracket it came to be Brazil and Argentina together in the finals, Argentina won. My sister in law was so mad at me for making ...MoreAt the end of my bracket it came to be Brazil and Argentina together in the finals, Argentina won. My sister in law was so mad at me for making that choice, she is from Brazil and she hates Argentina with a passion.
My entire family is actually doing a bet with each other. We all got our own brackets and chose the winners of Groups A-H (I can't remember how many groups there are) and then we worked our ways to the finals. Who ever got the most correct matches at the end wins a total of 8 dollars! Sad and small winners pot I know, maybe it's better that I only bet a dollar, I probably won't win.

86 weeks ago
Patrick Pho: Here's a question- is this different than what usually happens around The Olympics?
86 weeks ago
 
We have founded a company in Madison, WI to develop ground source heat pump technology on a large community scale. Check out our website which contains a one page summary of the business model: http://www.geohuddle.com/ I am interested in any feedback you might have.

87 weeks ago from Engineers

Travis Power: This is a very ambitious and worthy endeavor Steven. Best of luck!

I see what you mean in your buyout example. There is definitely a low risk ...More
This is a very ambitious and worthy endeavor Steven. Best of luck!

I see what you mean in your buyout example. There is definitely a low risk income stream available from these systems. There's a lot of potential and options.

In your talks with the developers, have they told you that they don't want to buy the system outright? It seems to me that if the location is good, it would be a good selling point for them. Your company could retain a service contract for the system but management of the individual accounts would be passed on. This way you don't have to float the initial construction costs for up to 2-3 years while you wait for the community to be built and houses sold. Just some ideas.

Will there be a SCADA system put in place that can be used to auto bill clients or will you have to employ a bunch of meter readers?


87 weeks ago
: @Photis You can find it here: More@Photis You can find it here: http://www.geohuddle.com/20/climate-leadership-challenge/

@Travis Developers I have spoken with don't seem to have much interest in owning and operating. They want to develop and move on and leave the rest to the utilities and services companies.

Also, definitely a SCADA system.

86 weeks ago
 
Carlee Mallard After my recently college-graduated sister & I went on a quest to find a great deal on a gym, I wrote an article (on the new iGrad.com site) with some tips on how to pay a student discount rate at the gym, even after you've graduated. I'm still curious if anyone else has any other advice, besides the usual "work out at home" option. http://bit.ly/9RjgYC

88 weeks ago from Fit Freaks, Brazen Undergrads and Personal Finance1 more

Timothy Johnson III: Another thing to think about, is if you go to the gym enough times during the month, to make that monthly gym membership worth it. Track how many ...MoreAnother thing to think about, is if you go to the gym enough times during the month, to make that monthly gym membership worth it. Track how many times you go the gym, and compare it to the cost of the monthly membership. If not, you might be better off just paying for a day pass at the gym . . . those are usually in the range of $5-$10. Carlee, thanks for the link to the iGrad website. It gave me a lot of food for thought, about the realities and costs of moving out.
88 weeks ago
Carlee Mallard: @Travis: Yea, unless you're a personal trainer yourself or have some vested interest in a home gym that's just not worth it at all! Thanks for the ...More@Travis: Yea, unless you're a personal trainer yourself or have some vested interest in a home gym that's just not worth it at all! Thanks for the compliments, too!

@Timothy: I think if you're only going to the gym 1-2 times per month it's not even worth going to the gym at all, though. If you're going more than 2 times it's worth it to just get a monthly membership I would say. I go 3-4 times per week and al a carte would just KILL ME. I'm glad the iGrad site was helpful, too! Definitely let us know if you have any other comments or suggestions for the site-- it just launched recently!

87 weeks ago
 
paulmacp When you are no longer feeling challenged in a job, how long do you work through the tedium before you conclude… Using the terms Seth Godin pioneered in his book "The Dip"... This is no “Dip” and recognize where you are is either a “Cul-De-Sac” or a “Cliff”… and change jobs?

90 weeks ago from Online Media Jobs, Ask Penelope Trunk!, IT People, Inspiring Leadership and Personal Branding3 more

Maura V. Pingor: Easier sad than done, but I have never allowed a job to become boring/unchallenging, as I go after the next thing I would like to do (and I am not ...MoreEasier sad than done, but I have never allowed a job to become boring/unchallenging, as I go after the next thing I would like to do (and I am not talking a new position or a promotion, I mean a new project, a new taks, rand each out to others in my team and see if I can be of any service).
88 weeks ago
Tony Deblauwe: I think if your performance "dips" along with your attitude and motivation its time to leave. The last thing you want to do is become a poor ...MoreI think if your performance "dips" along with your attitude and motivation its time to leave. The last thing you want to do is become a poor performer and have that be the last memory people have at your current employer.
86 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh Do you think that having overlapping careers with your significant other makes it easier or harder for your relationship to flourish? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you and your partner are in direct competition with one another? How do you deal with that?

91 weeks ago from Young Professional Men (YPM) and Power Couples

Ryan Paugh: @Stephanie: My girlfriend and I have overlapping careers, but skill sets that are different. It's really nice because we can help each other out ...More@Stephanie: My girlfriend and I have overlapping careers, but skill sets that are different. It's really nice because we can help each other out in areas where we're not as skilled as the other.
91 weeks ago
Travis Power: My career is taking me towards Product Management which takes me a bit into the marketing realm when considering new products. My wife is a ...MoreMy career is taking me towards Product Management which takes me a bit into the marketing realm when considering new products. My wife is a marketing professional. I think that she feels uneasy by my new found knowledge but so far we haven't clashed in our careers. We've talked about how fun it would be to do a startup together because our skills compliment each other but have never pursued that path.
91 weeks ago
 
Travis Power "Boulder Digital Works IDEA STUDIO TONIGHT" Idea Studio is tonight! 5:30PM-7PM at 1011 Walnut, 2nd Floor above Brasserie Ten Ten. It's free and open to the public so bring your friends!

95 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

 
Zack Zaban Quick question to all you Brazen folks regarding Personal Branding. The other day, I was speaking with a friend during a class and we discussed transparency in social media. He said that you should have your Facebook/Twitter accounts open for everyone to see. I, however, said that users have the right to choose what content they put up on social media sites. So, my question: to have a successful personal brand, do you need to have complete transparency across different social media platforms?

105 weeks ago from Personal Branding

Trace Cohen: Transparency is in the eyes of the beholder. Your brand does not depend on whether or not you protect your tweets or make your Facebook private, ...MoreTransparency is in the eyes of the beholder. Your brand does not depend on whether or not you protect your tweets or make your Facebook private, it revolves around the fact that you deliver value to your readers/viewers in a consistent manner. That could mean 1 or 1,000,000 people depending on your goals and milestones.
105 weeks ago
Isao Kato: I believe we should draw lines to protect not only ourselves but also people important to us, but lately looks like the trend is moving on to ...MoreI believe we should draw lines to protect not only ourselves but also people important to us, but lately looks like the trend is moving on to "publish everything first, then decide which to hide" - if that's the way, we need to adapt our thinking not only our behavior... from TechCrunch:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/12/30/we-all-live-in-public/

105 weeks ago
 
How do you guys handle negative Google results? I'm a newspaper reporter and sometimes being a good newspaper reporter means (some of) the people you write about don't like you. I've recently had some negative backlash appear on personal blogs - which also appear when you Google me. Is there something I should do? Or just ignore it?

105 weeks ago from Personal Branding

Patrick Ambron: Responding never hurts. As everyone said, pretending they don't exist is not an option. However, since you are a writer, it should not be hard to ...MoreResponding never hurts. As everyone said, pretending they don't exist is not an option. However, since you are a writer, it should not be hard to bury these results. Publish some content on a personal blog. If you don't already have a domain name for your name, buy one. This will outweigh almost anything in google, and publishing content from this domain will quickly fill results.
105 weeks ago
Deborah A Sullivan: The more time passes and the more we do online, it'll get buried THANK GOD! We don't know about WHO these people might be.(mentally) I have to let ...MoreThe more time passes and the more we do online, it'll get buried THANK GOD! We don't know about WHO these people might be.(mentally) I have to let it go.
104 weeks ago
 
Travis Power Flat Irons Professionals meetup. http://www.flatironsnet.org/. Looks open to all. Feb 10th, Boulder, CO.

105 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

 
Kat Argonza How many hours do you work out a week? I'm curious! I work out about 2 to 3 hours a day 5 days a week.

106 weeks ago from Fit Freaks

Kat Argonza: Definitely not a sponsored athlete. I'm a national guard soldier on active duty orders. I do PT with my platoon in the morning, for one hour ...MoreDefinitely not a sponsored athlete. I'm a national guard soldier on active duty orders. I do PT with my platoon in the morning, for one hour Mon-Fri. Then in the afternoons I like to do an hour or two, sometimes just working on weights or boxing/grappling that ends with a decent two to three mile run at a controlled pace (fartlek training). It is a huge time investment, but I'm also an insomniac. I have more time in the day than most.
106 weeks ago
Lynn: With the lifestyle you've described, you are working out more often than most. Most people do not need to work out this much, unless they are a ...MoreWith the lifestyle you've described, you are working out more often than most. Most people do not need to work out this much, unless they are a professional athlete, in the military, a police officer, etc. I work out 1 - 1.5 hours 5 days a week and am in very good shape. My problem is I need to work in more cardio, but I'm addicted to workout classes involving weights. And I'm addicted to my trainer, but that's another story.
106 weeks ago
 
Travis Power New to the group, Mechanical Engineer, pursuing Masters in Engineering Management with Product Manager/Development focus. Currently a project engineer in industrial automation. Looking foward to interacting with you all here!

107 weeks ago from Engineers

 
Travis Power Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup Group. Next meeting Feb 2nd. http://www.bdnewtech.com/calendar/12235252/

107 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

 
Marian Schembari @Patrick - my blog is entirely about being a "renegade job hunter" (http://marianlibrarian.com) and my biggest thing is that applying for jobs gets you nowhere. I've actually just started teaching classes at various campus career centers because you're right. All we've been taught is to write structured cover letters and chronological resumes. The MOST important thing is meeting people, showing your initiative, meeting some more people, creating a personal brand. Did I mention meeting people?

108 weeks ago from Personal Branding

Marian Schembari: To elaborate (and actually answer your question), I got my job through Facebook advertisements. But I also got an interview and some freelance ...MoreTo elaborate (and actually answer your question), I got my job through Facebook advertisements. But I also got an interview and some freelance work through Twitter. Don't make contacts, make friends. Join an organization in your field and ask people for advice. People like to mentor. Become an expert in your field, write a blog, develop a following. Use and abuse every contact of your family and friends. Temp. Freelance. The jobs I've gotten since graduation? Didn't technically apply to one.
108 weeks ago
Travis Power: I've only had one job (my current one) where I wasn't working off of a referral of someone I know. This was due to moving halfway across the US. ...MoreI've only had one job (my current one) where I wasn't working off of a referral of someone I know. This was due to moving halfway across the US. Networking is tough for an engineer or introvert to grasp but entirely necessary!

My wife just got a new job simply by knowing people. They are asking her to write the job description for herself, lol. This is the way to do it. New years resolution for me is increasing my network.

108 weeks ago
 
Grace Boyle Good article in Fast Company: Why You Should Start A Company In...Boulder: http://www.fastcompany.com/article/why-you-should-start-company-boulderAWe For this reason and more, I love going to Boulder/Denver New Tech Meetups http://www.bdnewtech.com/

108 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

 
Travis Power What groups are you involved in around Colorado? I'm looking to join the Product Development and Management Association Colorado chapter and sometimes go to The Association of Business Process Management Professionals (ABPMP) meetings.

109 weeks ago from Rocky Mountain Networking

Ted Thonus: CSIA - The Colorado Technology Association is for anyone involved in IT, telecom or the software industry. Great event coming up in March called ...MoreCSIA - The Colorado Technology Association is for anyone involved in IT, telecom or the software industry. Great event coming up in March called "C-Level". It would be a fantastic way to be introduced to the community. If anyone is interested, let me know - I'm a Co-Chair volunteer for the event.
109 weeks ago
Interests
Weightlifting/Fitness, Soccer, NBA, Business Operations/Strategy/Management, Mentoring, Person Growth
Goals
  1. Complete Graduate Education
  2. Innovate
  3. Live happily
  4. Have children
  5. CEO status

Groups (5)

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Fans (32)

Meghan Comiskey
Allison Jones
Derwin Parkin
Neeraj Bhushan
Bryon Ownby
Marcos Salazar
Ines Schinazi
Tiffany Monhollon
Jamie Nacht Farrell
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