Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT

[davidgraff]

I graduated with my Bachelor in Civil Engineering in May 2008 and received my EIT certification. I have been out of school for almost 2 years and unable to find a job.

The economic climate being as it is, I'm realizing that finding a job is going to be a long and difficult process. I'm considering jobs related to civil engineering but not actually engineering. Possibly something in construction or another field related to civil engineering.

What would be some jobs that I could look for that would give me experience and knowledge for a future civil engineering position?

Thanks for the responses.

David Graff

 

[msquared48]

Rodman on a survey crew? It helped me get out in the field and see what happens before and during construction.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[dicksewerrat]

Soil and concrete testing Lab.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[Ryb01]

Depending on your interests working for a contractor would be a good bet. You'll gain alot of practical experience constructing a project that was designed by an engineer. This may be beneficial down the road in case your interests change and want to become involved in engineering later on.
I've had a few colleauges that have down this and have become excellent engineers.

Keep your options open, there is always a job out there if you look hard enough and are willing to relocate.

Hope this helps.

 

[sam74]

My first job out of school was a rod man on a survey crew at a full services eng/arch/surv company. I learned alot about what is important in the field in relation to what info civil engs need. About nine months until I talked my way inside to a position in the general civil/site group. I did that six months before being sent back out into the field to be a construction representative for some waterline construction. Learned a lot there in six months as well. I ended up staying with that company about nine years and was able to go out at various times to fill in on survey crews or as an inspector. It makes you a more valuable and knowledgable engineer in the long run.

I feel your pain though. I should have stayed with the first company and probably would still be employed. I was re-laid off in Feb. and nobody is hiring for civl engineers now other than structural. I've applied for a construction inspection position here locally just to try and stay near my field and hopefully get a chance to learn some more.

If you want better job security I think I would be applying for government positions. It appears the consulting industry is running out of work.

 

[bimr]

At the present time, it should be relatively easy finding a position as a resident engineer or inspector for ARRA road paving projects. These projects are staffing right now.

Where are you located?

 

[francesca]

Sam I am floored. I have valued your posts over the years and hold you in high esteem as an engineer. I hope you find something soon.

 

[davidgraff]

I am currently living in Southern Illinois but trying to get out because there is nothing here in the way of jobs and I want to be in a different part of the country. The places that are attractive for me are Denver, San Diego, and Portland, OR though nothing has come through that I have applied to.

My emphasis in school was in structural engineering, but unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to get an internship while there, so I have very little experience in the engineering field. I have technical experience with electronics and cameras, but nothing that directly relates to my field.

Thank you for all your suggestions. I certainly appreciate it!

David

 

[sam74]

francesca, thank you very much and there is mutual respect from me for your posts as well. Things just don't look very well right now. The banks just are not letting things happen at the moment. Maybe the recentg health care BS will let things pick up.

 

[coloeng]

One thing you might consider is in the natural gas drilling industry. Currently is it big in Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming, and starting to pick back up a little in Colorado. They hire in the civil field for gas pad design, environmental, pipeline, etc.

 

[JedClampett]

There's a large company in Chicago that deals in Nuclear Power Plant Design who's usually hiring.
I wouldn't worry about your lack of intern experience. I would apply for every entry level structural engineering position I could find. If your location is flexible, you'll find something.
Also, how about your college placement office? They should feel some obligation to help you. And if they don't, visit some large Universities that have placement departments. Ther's one in Urbana that comes to mind. In the old, old days they used to post companies that were interviewing on bulletin boards. Contact these companies directly.

 

[bimr]

At the present time, the job markets in Denver, San Diego, and Portland are slow.

If you move up to Chicago, you will surely be able to find a position.

 

[chicopee]

Have you tried the armed forces? Civil/Environmental engineers are always needed in the armed forces. Most engineering firms are always looking for people with leadership qualities for supervisory positions which the armed forces will instill if you have the right qualities to join.

 

[joengr]

davidgraff,

I know how it is, I got out of school last May and I was lucky to find a job. I started looking during the previous November so all in all I spent about 7 months, joined every job search I could find, and sent out over 200 resumes. Below are some ideas that I tried that might help you:

1. Job searches of course like Indeed.com and Monster
2. Go to goole maps and pick an area, do the search-nearby option and type in key words like engineering and survey, then cold-call all of those places or email your resume
3. Call your old professors and see if they know of anything or if the college is hiring as a engineering teaching assistant or researcher
4. Do the same for every college around even if you didnt go there
5. Pick a location and see what newspapers in the area have websites, then search the newspapers classifieds online
6. Visit every city, county, and state website and see if there are any jobs listed, a lot of times municipalities will list on their website but not on job searches or classifieds
7. Army Corps of Engineers?
8. There is a federal job site, I cant remember what it is called but if you search around I'm sure you can find it and it might have some listings
9. U.S. Patent office might be hiring civils
10. If you got really desperate I know some people who have either gone back to school or tried several side jobs at once working from home cutting surveyor stakes and offering to do professional autocad drawings

Hopefully some of this will help, if I can think of anything else I will send it in

 

[davidgraff]

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful posts and ideas. I've already starting finding and applying to jobs that I wouldn't have found otherwise. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted! If anyone has anymore suggestions, I am all ears! Thanks again to everyone!!

David Graff

 

[FOURe]

David:

Being an engineer, you should have some decent computer skills.

Therefore, I would suggest that you can always use your background and computer skills in getting some kind of an analyst and/or analytical position. You could do logistics work too ...

In my opinion, having an engineering background and being good at computers should always get you some kind of a job no matter how the economy is doing ...

Good luck!

Gordan

http://www.engineering-4e.com

 

[davidgraff]

Gordon:

What kind of specific computer skills are talking about? I am fairly handy with a computer, but they only go so far.

What kind of skills would be needed to be a competitive candidate in an analytical field?


David

 

[FOURe]

David:

Working with MS Office applications and ORACLE (SQL), databases in general.

Being an engineer, one should be familiar with basic programming -- such skills are precious and can be easily expanded.

In my opinion, computer based skills are in demand today and a technical background is a big plus -- it comes down to combining the acquired skills and experience ...

Even though "engineering" jobs cannot be found quickly, there are other jobs that people with an engineering degree can be good at ...

It is about getting a pay check and moving forward ...

Thanks,

Gordan

http://www.engineering-4e.com