I need opinions on job searches?

[DatsunKing1]

that's the thing, we use CATIA and solidworks, but we will have to take separate classes for them, most of which will not fit into our schedule. I'm taking CATIA next spring, I heard it's fun once you're good. I'm right on schedule with my classes, PSU expects you to finish in 4 years, when you can rarely keep up with it all (I have to take technical writing this summer)

 

As for AE internships, I didn't even apply to them because most of them aren't hiring. A couple of my buddies went to Boeing, one knew someone and has MAD CAD skill and the other is absolutely brilliant.

 

I applied for Ballistics testing for Remington, Ruger, and Smith and Wesson, all of which were not hiring interns, but were hiring engineers. I wouldn't know unless I had asked.

 

As for the cheating thing, it's bull****. The branch campus kids come in with 3.6-3.8 GPAs, while all the kids at main campus START with 3.0s when we enter the major courses, because we got our asses kicked. So it makes them look smarter, when they're really not. Then they have all the exams and homeworks from other kids.

 

Luckily penn state makes CAD free for student download, maybe I'll start messing around with it this summer. I'll have a huge leg up on these kids, 90% of which have never SEEN CATIA or SolidWorks.

 

I honestly don't care what I'm doing, I just want the opportunity to show a company what I'm capable of. There's nothing I want to do more than help to advance them. I'm more of a trample the weak hurdle the dead kinda guy LOL

 

On a more honest note, for those of you that are older or hiring etc:

 

This will be one of the WORST generations to ever enter the American workforce.

[calpoly-z]

How committed are you to actually doing aero engineering? Considering you're multilingual, willing to live wherever and don't want some BS job with limited responsibility for the first several years then you should seriously look into working for an oil services company. Things are booming right now and big three companies in the field are desperate for decent engineers. Most hire right out of school because the lifestyle can be a bit tough and it better suited to the young, but it can also be extremely rewarding (both in pay and fringe benefits). It's also better suited to the engineers that do have some ability to work well with others because you will be managing your crew within 6-9 months. This includes being responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment that you must learn to operate, maintain and repair.

Now as I said before, the lifestyle can be rough (on locations for 48+hrs occasionally) but it often comes with a nice rotation. I'm currently working 10days on 5 off, but when I move offshore I should be switching to a 20-10 schedule. Some of the international guys work even longer rotations. Leaves plenty of time to travel/work on my Datsun during days off.

 

Just a thought. I know I had never heard of this kind of work before randomly interviewing for this job. Ended up being a great choice for me. I am the type of engineer that can't stand the thought of working at a desk for 8 hrs a day designing door handles. I'm an ME by the way, but I know my company only cares that the applicant actually have an engineering degree, the discipline doesn't matter much.

[DatsunKing1]

How committed are you to actually doing aero engineering? Considering you're multilingual, willing to live wherever and don't want some BS job with limited responsibility for the first several years then you should seriously look into working for an oil services company. Things are booming right now and big three companies in the field are desperate for decent engineers. Most hire right out of school because the lifestyle can be a bit tough and it better suited to the young, but it can also be extremely rewarding (both in pay and fringe benefits). It's also better suited to the engineers that do have some ability to work well with others because you will be managing your crew within 6-9 months. This includes being responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment that you must learn to operate, maintain and repair.

Now as I said before, the lifestyle can be rough (on locations for 48+hrs occasionally) but it often comes with a nice rotation. I'm currently working 10days on 5 off, but when I move offshore I should be switching to a 20-10 schedule. Some of the international guys work even longer rotations. Leaves plenty of time to travel/work on my Datsun during days off.

 

Just a thought. I know I had never heard of this kind of work before randomly interviewing for this job. Ended up being a great choice for me. I am the type of engineer that can't stand the thought of working at a desk for 8 hrs a day designing door handles. I'm an ME by the way, but I know my company only cares that the applicant actually have an engineering degree, the discipline doesn't matter much.

 

 

I mean Aero is cool but I'm open to anything avoiding hardcore chemistry LOL I'm really open to anything, as long as I'm not stuck at a desk or doing technical reports the rest of my life. I'll do it for a bit if there's a chance for advance, but I'm not signing my life over to a desk job.

 

The days and time don't mean s*** to me, a company says jump, I say how high, for how long, and where to.

If they sent me to some hell-hole with a dictionary and told me what to do, I'd be tickled to death, and I mean it. I'd be doing what I love two times over. Working hard and learning languages

 

I'll definitely look into it. I got excited just reading your post. I mean Aero wouldn't be far off from what I'm guessing oil services would comprise, (fluid flow, dynamics, pipe flow, etc) so I mean I might have a shot.

 

The question I always ask engineers that catch them off guard is 'Do you truly enjoy your job/work?' I've gotten everything from 'f*** no' to people telling me it's a gift from God. All depends on the man of course, but I tend to live by the 'if you pick the right job, you'll never have to 'work' a day in your life'

 

I'm not sure if you meant committed to aero as in changing my degree or staying in the aero field when I graduate. Changing the degree won't happen, I only have a year left. As for staying in the aero field, I don't care at all.

[ctc]

Learn CAD and MATLab well. They will take you far.

Edited May 9, 2013 by ctc

[Jesse OBrien]

Changing the degree won't happen, I only have a year left. As for staying in the aero field, I don't care at all.

 

Many will disagree, but I think this is the best advice anyone could've given you (and you gave it to yourself!)

 

Finish what you're doing: That's what 99% of the people I don't hire failed at. They have a billion half-hearted projects that are incredible, but lack any sort of follow-through. Finishing a degree you set out for initially doesn't really prove anything, but it's a strong indication that you're the sort who likes to finish what you start. It's a little off-topic, and not necessarily helpful ... but I'm tired of interviewing smart, useless people.

[TimZ]

Learn CAD and MATLab well. They will take you far.

[DatsunKing1]

I love matlab, it's so convenient. I hate C++/Visual Basic...then again it's pretty worthless for mathematical stuff compared to matlab. As for CAD, definitely need to step my game up. Once I get good at it, it should be fun. I made a little rocket back in my freshman year. Sadly I never used it again. Gotta hop back on the wagon LOL

 

Thanks for all the help guys, ironic there are so many engineers on hybridz? I think not

Edited May 9, 2013 by DatsunKing1

[clarkspeed]

I'll chip in again. Got a BSME 25 years ago. Been in management for 15. BS degree only means you are trained as a problem solver. You can take that in any direction if you are patient. I thought I wanted to be a designer out of school, but I have been a manufacturing, industrial, and quality engineer. Didn't know I liked it until I tried it. I've never designed anything and use no skills I learned in college.

 

It's all about creating opportunity. You have more than a high school grad. A little lab work or inputing data for a company and you are ahead of the guy with none. You will learn things even doing the most mundane tasks. If you are willing to learn and work hard you will succeed and create other opportunities. Either other tasks, responsibilities, promotion, or other job offers.

 

I feel the market and profession of engineering is still strong. Yes it is harder to get started, but there is still demand for young hungry professionals. Too many old guys are retiring.

[BluDestiny]

I love matlab, it's so convenient. I hate C++/Visual Basic...then again it's pretty worthless for mathematical stuff compared to matlab. As for CAD, definitely need to step my game up. Once I get good at it, it should be fun. I made a little rocket back in my freshman year. Sadly I never used it again. Gotta hop back on the wagon LOL

 

Thanks for all the help guys, ironic there are so many engineers on hybridz? I think not

 

I'm actually fit it into my schedule to take an upper level matlab course my lest semester to help with my senior design project and just for the future in general 

 

As for the engineering remark, those were my thoughts as well. It's not just the old members either, there are quite a few college guys here also (you and I and calpoly Z)

[Leon]

There's a ton of great advice here, and you (along with any other young and future engineers) will get some serious benefit out of re-reading this thread a few times!

 

I will add one little thing regarding your search for a summer job, put yourself in a position where not only can you learn a few things that'll pertain to what you want to do but also to network with people that can get you into the right places. For a while, I naively thought that most people get jobs by finding an opening and submitting a resume...

 

It's way easier to lock down a position by knowing someone who knows someone.

Edited May 9, 2013 by Leon

[DatsunKing1]

There's a ton of great advice here, and you (along with any other young and future engineers) will get some serious benefit out of re-reading this thread a few times!

 

I will add one little thing regarding your search for a summer job, put yourself in a position where not only can you learn a few things that'll pertain to what you want to do but also to network with people that can get you into the right places. For a while, I naively thought that most people get jobs by finding an opening and submitting a resume...

 

It's way easier to lock down a position by knowing someone who knows someone.

 

 

Very true. Two of my friends will be hired by Boeing, and a few of my mom's friends have their own firms. My entire family is in engineering, so the networking part is covered. It's sad that that is what it's come down to, not like a very talented kid submitting a resume wouldn't get a job, I just hate relying on the 'you have to know someone' BS. It's sad but for the most part true.

 

There IS some excellent advice here, if any of the older engineers want to give interview tips? What do you look for, what are some things the set you off, etc. It would help us out greatly We're in a generation where face to face conversations are getting rare and more awkward, I could only imagine interview quality going downhill. People rarely pick up the phone anymore, they'd rather text because they're too awkward on the phone.

[clarkspeed]

Yes to networking! And let everyone know you are looking.

 

Ahhhh, interviewing. All the standard stuff still applies.  Appear clean, tidy, engaging, look into the eyes, confident, alert, sincere.  Suit, tie, short hairut, no tatoos, are not as important as they used to be (depending on company) but you better look sharp.  Give honest answers to best of your ability, never lie about your skills. A better answer is "I'm familiar with it from XX and believe I can learn that skill quickly".  Be Professional : I once had a guy tell me he had to end the interview early because his girlfriend was waiting outside in the car.

 

Show some personality, most interviews are for "fit" as much as ability.  And remember you are interviewing them also.  Some thoughtful questions will help you and show you are interested. The best of all if you can sit with another engineer doing the same job but that doen't always happen.  You might take any job right now but at least you will know what you are getting into.

 

Canned interview questions will stil come up, "describe a difficult situation at work?", "what is your greatest weakness?" blah blah blah.  Get a book on these, study them, and have your answers ready.  I still get these questions sometimes when I apply for a job.  There is no excuse for tripping up on one of these.

 

Above all, practice, practice, practice until it is one of your strengths. Remember as a young engineer, you are trying to sell yourself as a hard working, dedicated, flexible, and fast learning employee.  That's what every manager wants.  And the hard truth is, if you become a really really good interviewer, and have a decent degree, and have some experience at a known company, you will always get a job even if you suck as an engineer.

[loy]

Sell yourself and have confidence. Never stop networking. Some kind of internship/co-op is great. Always be nice to everyone you have contact with at the company from the receptionist to the multiple interviewers. Look neat. There are many jobs one can get. I'd look to see what each company offers.

 

There are many engineers in their late 50s/early 60s always retiring.

 

Even though companies don't advertise any opening it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

Indeed.com for jobs

Edited May 10, 2013 by loy

[Jon 74 260Z]

I'll tell you my biggest pet peeve when interviewing candidates:

 

I will review their resume, looking for the list of projects or a list of relevant coursework.  And I will ask them about about the second (or third) item on this list (intentionally skipping over the first item listed).   You would NOT believe how many times I've heard, "Well, I really don't remember much about that project -- it was last semester."

 

I then respond with, "Oh, I see....  What you have just told me is that I am going to waste my time teaching and training you so that you can be productive and make money for the company and six months later, I am going to have to do it all over again because you just told me you are incapable of retaining information."  I then start pimp-slapping them until they start crying for mercy and forgiveness for wasting my time with their interview.

 

(OK, maybe I don't do all of the things in the preceding paragraph...  But if I don't, it's only because I'll waste more of my time with another lecture from the HR weenies and the corporate lawyer about "appropriate interviewing techniques" and other BS.)

 

Hearing the "it was last semester" line is something that I have heard waaaaaaay too often and if you give me more supporting evidence that I'm experiencing the worst generation to enter the workplace, well....., it doesn't bode well for your hiring prospects.

 

Two other quick interview tips that generally aren't mentioned:  First, be humble.  All I know for certain about the fact that you have a degree is that you are good at taking written exams.  This may or may not imply that you have the ability to truly learn a concept, and it may or may not imply that you will be able to justify your future salary.  In my industry, it takes 9 to 12 months before a new college graduate begins to make a measurable contribution.  By asking for a job, you are asking your employer to make a long term investment in you and every new hire can be seen as a potential wrongful termination lawsuit.  Don't be so arrogant and tell me your certified book-smarts are going to straighten out all the company's problems and double the stock price in the next month...   A good dose of humbleness can be seen as confidence and wisdom.

 

Secondly, saying "I don't know the answer to that" is a correct answer and one that isn't used nearly enough during technical interviews.  I had one candidate say, "I don't really know that concept very well because it was covered at the end of the semester and the professor basically 'skipped over' that topic.  I know I should know more about it but when I read the textbook, the authors didn't go into enough detail."   Bingo -- correct answer!  (The candidate was hired and did well for the company, btw.)   Engineering is as much "knowing what you don't know" as it is "what you know."  The field is too vast to know everything -- there is no shame in saying "I don't know."   The important thing to do when faced with an interview problem that you don't know the answer to is this:  Use the fundamentals that you do know to start analyzing the problem.

[loy]

Also when asked a question it's OK to take your time to think about it rather then answer immediately. Don't just give yes or no answers, elaborate. Tailor your resume for the job. If something on your resume seems kind of hazy, take a quick review before an interview. 

 

Do you have an ideal working place? Small company? Big corporation?

Edited May 10, 2013 by loy

[Jesse OBrien]

I find that I'm most impressed with potential hires who admit that they don't know something, but can still create associations with other things they don't know. For example, we recently brought in a reporting specialist to help create usable reports for a MySQL database. She didn't have much experience with MySQL, but did have a lot of experience with MSSql (which is similar). She showed up to the interview well-prepared, and knew what was comparable to the concepts she was familiar with as well as what she didn't know. Be aware that there will be a learning curve, and show up armed with proof that learning curves aren't a problem for you. I think Jon put it perfectly when he said:

Use the fundamentals that you do know to start analyzing the problem.

 

That doesn't just apply to the interview. Those are words to live by.

 

On the resume front, if there are grammatical or spelling errors, I won't even get to a first interview. Communication skills are absolutely critical if you're ever going to work with other humans. Have an English professor look it over, and tell them to be brutal. Your resume is a representation of where you'd like your career to be, and everything on it should culminate into a central 'next step' (which should be the job you're applying for).

[TimZ]

The last several post all have some great advice.  On networking - are you on linkedin?  You should be.

[Tony D]

Is it a sign of mental disease to have "Falling Down", "Office Space", "Law Abiding Citizen", & "There Will Be Blood" on your travel iPad for viewing on the plane or hotel while traveling?

 

 

When they say "35% Travel related to field resolution of engineering problems" don't f..king believe it!

 

"The days and time don't mean s*** to me, a company says jump, I say how high, for how long, and where to.

If they sent me to some hell-hole with a dictionary and told me what to do, I'd be tickled to death, and I mean it. I'd be doing what I love two times over. Working hard and learning languages."

 

Better get pay straight or you will EAT/RUE those words! You really have no concept of what you can get into in the field, and I chalk this phrase up to youthful bravado.

 

Remind me why you don't eat the bigger grubs with the iridescent green tinge again...

Edited May 11, 2013 by Tony D

[BluDestiny]

Tony, you should add american psycho to that list also.

Edited May 11, 2013 by BluDestiny

[Tony D]

Seven Psychopaths is currently in there...