Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

I know I haven't been on CD for a few months, the last bit of college was a bit more then I expected. I'm on the job hunt and haven't had too much luck yet. I thought I might try posting on here just on the off chance one of our mentors might be able to help. Let me know if you potentially know of a job that could help me out.

Thanks,
Jason

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

You should probably provide some information like; your degree, where you'd like to work, etc... ;)

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Exactly, my company is interviewing for engineering positions, but I need to know some info before recommending you to apply.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Ooh! Ooh! Can I join in too? I'm in the same boat. B.S.M.E., location negotiable (read: can work anywhere).

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

In general, finding a job is about relationships. Most jobs are found because someone you know alerted you to an opening.

Also, it will universally take time to get a job after graduating. Many companies don't hire fresh grads. Those that do sometimes hire a big bunch, and fire the less capable ones after 3, 6, 9 months.

This goes back a long time, but I had my first (!) interview in August, and didn't get the offer until October. In the Human Resources world, things always take longer than they do.

Take the time to continue your education. You've learned about (engineering maybe?) and now know how to teach yourself most anything. Teach yourself how to get a job. There are a LOT of resources out there - books, people, web pages - treat it like Machine Design or Circuit Theory and learn the science as best you can, then execute.

We're here to help!

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

I'm not sure if this will be relevant to you, but UTC (a huge sponsor of FIRST since 1995) just started a new internship program for FIRST alumni.

Whether with UTC or otherwise, it could be worth considering looking for an internship that will likely culminate with an offer of full-time employment. I know a few people who have gone this route after graduating.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

This probably isn't exactly what you were looking for, but... if you were looking to work in Canada, the term you should search for is "EIT" for "Engineer in Training". You'll have to go through some paperwork (and likely write an exam) to have your degree accepted here as it is unlikely your university has sought certification with the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

But the Fort McMurray Oilsands area is booming, and all of Alberta/Saskatchewan/Northern BC is a great place to look for work.

One example: https://www.suncor.apply2jobs.com/Pr...wJob&RID=25582

Jason

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

As a Canadian working in the USA, I am pretty sure the North American Trade Agreement allows engineer degrees to be recognized in both countries. I forget the name for the USA equivalent but them and the CEAB tend to keep the degrees relatively standardized. I remember one of my proffessors mentioning a meeting/conference about education standards with his American counterparts. I know the that ASME recognizes Canadian engineers. I think its only when degrees move away from science and business that there are issues with recognition. Plus with EIT, you are taking a test anyways so I guess that would prove if one is qualified.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

I'm not an expert on these matters... however I believe NAFTA primarily gives people in various fields the opportunity to work in the other country without needing a work visa. It may also confer interchangable credentials upon those already certified as a P.Eng.

Entry to the profession, however, is regulated slightly differently. Prior to my institution (BCIT) gaining accreditation with CEAB, our graduates had to travel to Bellingham to write the exams for graduates of foreign engineering schools (http://www.engineerscanada.ca/e/pr_i...nal_ieg_1.cfm).

They had a 100% pass rate, if I recall correctly, so I wouldn't count this as a big barrier... but it is something to check into.

Jason

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

I'm a recent graduate with a BSME and currently live in the Indianapolis area. I'd prefer to stay somewhat close, but I'm open to moving if it means a job. I mainly just need somewhere to get my feet wet and a little experience under my belt.
Welcome aboard the S.S.Unemployed. The best of luck to you.

Finally, thanks to those who have already spoken up. I'll be sending my resume out tomorrow and will be checking on this forum periodically. I'm always surprised how many people step forward from FIRST whenever a person is in need.

Jason

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam. I passed the mechanical engineering version, so the state of South Dakota (where I took it) recognizes me as an Engineering Intern.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Jason and Eric,
Underwriter's has jobs postings. My son works in the Northbrook Office.

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/c...careers/paths/

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

For those listing a BSME, you'll need to be more specific. ME is a very broad field. What did you specialize in and where are your interests? Thermal/fluids, dynamic systems, control, structural, mech design, vehicle dynamics, etc.?

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Monsanto has 78 job openings in St. Louis.::rtm::

I am currently working with 5th graders to build a gardening robot using the same materials used in FIRST robotics competitions. My hope is that they will be ready to apply for those jobs in 2020.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

I don't know if your interested but there are many entry level automotive engineering jobs available in the Detroit area. My next door neighbor is a manager at Chrysler and said he is looking for recent college grads to work in the body area. He was asking me because he knows my son is graduating this quarter from Kettering University but he and his friends all have jobs lined up.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Like Don said, big companies tend to hire by the boat load -- I know mine does. If you're looking to stay in Indiana as an ME, check into places like Rolls Royce and Cummins.

I'm not sure where you went to school, but your university should have a job placement office. You don't always need to know a specific person who gives you a heads up for job openings, as those placement offices build those relationships for you. Don't underestimate the power of an alumni network either. I've definitely seen the preference managers have for hiring from their alma maters.

Lastly, when you get interviews, talk up your FIRST experience. Those teamwork, systems engineering, and project management skills are what employers want. You'll still need some of the technical knowlegde you learned in school, but it's rare to get a job where you can just be book-smart.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

I am in a slightly similar situation. I am going into my senior year this fall and so far this summer I have been unable to find an internship. The last company I worked for hired me last year as an intern and kept me on as a co-op for the fall and spring semesters. Even though I was in the middle of a design project that I was told would last through the summer the company could no longer continue my employment due to a limited grant program. I was only notified three weeks prior to finals this past semester that I would no longer have a job. With such short notice and said notice being after the typical internship interview period I have had trouble even finding viable job postings to apply for.

While it was convenient at the time to catch of for finals and have a week or two off after school and FIRST the reality of life catches up quick when your efforts in finding a job aren't getting much notice in the way of interviews.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Like someone mentioned above, there are a bazillion jobs in the auto industry right now. And I'm not just referring to GM/Ford/Chrysler. There are probably more engineers employed at suppliers than there are at the OEMs. In addition to that, Nissan, Toyota, and Hyundai/Kia have R&D facilities in the area. I usually get about 10 postings from the Hyundai R&D facility every week in my daily e-mail from Monster - and that's just in my area of control systems and signal processing. Then there are the niche companies, like Roush (yes, that's the same Roush as the NASCAR team), Riccardo, etc.

The only drawback to the auto industry is that it is a bit of a roller coaster. When the economy goes bad, the first thing people do is stop buying cars so they can save money just in case they lose their job. In parts of 2008/2009 car sales dropped by nearly 50% - those type of drops are unheard of in most industries. The good news is that when recessions end, there is a lot of pent-up demand and things are great (and I mean GREAT) for a long time afterward.

Last thing, people that trash the Detroit area are those that haven't spent any significant time here. I came here thinking it would be a temporary thing: put up with it for 3-5 years to get my necessary experience to get my next job. I've been here for about 15 years now and have no desire to move anywhere else. Yeah, the downtown area isn't the greatest, but there's a positive side to that: all of the cool stuff you need to go downtown for in most cities exist here in the suburbs, so it's even closer to home. I have a handful of pilot buddies that moved here for pilot jobs, expecting the worst. Like me, most of them end up staying in the area for good, even though they don't have to.

And just think of how prevelant FIRST is around here :)

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Hello All,

I am planning to hold a telecom for recent graduates looking for a job.

The call will be June - 4,11,18,25 at 7PM Central time.

If interested, send me a PM. I will send the telecom number for the first 7 individuals, that are willing to make the commitment to attend all 4 telecoms.

Agenda :

June 4 : Cover Letters
June 11: Resumes
June 18 : Applying for jobs on the web
June 25 : Networking with Professionals at professional organizations.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Specialty: None. (SDSM&T doesn't have you declare one.)
Interests: Mechanical design, fluids/heat transfer. Most of my electives reflect the mechanical design aspect--I took vibrations, a second machine design course (one is already required at SDSM&T), sustainable energy, and CAD-CAM, which was more of a GD&T/design thinking course.

Preferred industry would be aerospace or robotics/mechatronics, but when you're looking for work, you can't be all that picky.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

There are 15 new hire positions available here in Austin:
http://www.ni.com/careers/

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

By the way, if you type "Entry level engineering jobs" in Google, you can get a lot of results. I did "Entry level engineering jobs in Michigan" and I found a website with 24 pages worth of open positions (479 job postings). Here it is: http://www.michiganengineeringjobs.net/entry.aspx

The third job listed appears to be at the GM Milford Proving Grounds (if the facility doesn't sound familiar, that would be team 67).

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

My college doesn't have specialties either. I did research on thermal modeling of a lithium ion battery. I've focused mostly on completing the ProE section during group projects. My main interests are to work in a design or quality department. If possible, I'd like to avoid the automotive industry. I'd also prefer to live within 8 hours of Indianapolis. As Eric stated, I can't really afford to be picky but those are my personal preferences. If I could have my dream job, I'd work in the toy industry but that will be the dream for one day.

Something of interest, many companies require 2-5 years of experience for an entry level position. Does anyone have advice on finding jobs that require minimum experience? I've completed 1 semester of co-op, 1 summer internship, and 1 summer of research.

Thanks again to everyone who has posted helpful advice,
Jason

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Apply for the 1 to 2 years jobs even if you only have internships under your belt.

Re: Graduated Yet Unemployed
 

Boeing is hiring now too. Every single program is increasing the production rate and lots of new airplanes are on the drawing board. These are the entry level positions. Those are across the company, but currently it is Commercial Airplanes that is doing most of the hiring.