What nobody told me about Week 1 on a real project

I walked into my first site office wearing a hard hat that was slightly too big and carrying a notebook I'd bought specifically for the occasion.

Nobody told me that the first week isn't about engineering. It's about reading the room.

The foreman didn't care about my MEng. He cared whether I'd make his life harder or easier. The site manager didn't want to hear about the design intent. She wanted to know if I'd turn up on time and not ask stupid questions in front of the client.

I asked a stupid question in front of the client on day two.

Here's what I'd tell myself now:

The first week is reconnaissance, not performance. You are there to watch, listen, and work out who the real decision-makers are. Not the org chart ones. The actual ones.

Your degree is a ticket in, not a qualification to do the job. The qualification comes from the next two years. The degree just got you in the room.

Ask questions in private, not in public. Find one person who seems patient and ask them everything. Buy them a coffee. They will save your career more than any textbook.

The site manager is not your enemy. She has been doing this for twenty years and she has seen twelve graduates like you. She is not impressed by your enthusiasm. She will be impressed when you show up, do what you said you'd do, and don't make her look bad.

That's it. That's the whole first week.

— Frank

One Sunday email for engineers navigating the gap. No fluff.