FRESH GRAD MFG ENGR - what to do?

[DAPHNE24]

I'm new in the country and I don't know what first step to take to pursue my career. I have degree in Mfg Engineering (5-yr). I want to take an exam to be certified/licensed but I don't want to go back to school (I know I need more training and review). I'm not sure what specific area of Mfg Engineering I like the most. I need opinions. Thanks a lot!

 

[MikeHalloran]

Just get a job. Then figure out what else you will need.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[MikeHalloran]

Other thoughts:

I've never met a MfgEngr or MfgEngr Manager who claimed to be a PE, so accumulating the required ~five years of progressive responsibility under the guidance of a registered engineer might be a problem.

Given the state of manufacturing in the US, accumulating five years of employment at one outfit is also not likely.

You might want to sit for the EIT exam while the academic stuff is still fresh in your mind, but you'll be doing it for your own satisfaction; chances are you won't be able to get a PE license.

A couple of professional societies offer specialized certification programs that might be of interest. I have no idea if they're worth the effort. Recent trends toward having everyone certified in something suggest they might become valuable in the future. You may be able to pursue them in your spare time, and have an employer pay the costs.

Some education that would definitely help your career: learn Chinese. A significant number of MfgEngrs are now engaged in exporting entire factories.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[DAPHNE24]

Should I review and take the EIT exam or jump into a job and see where it takes me?

 

[MikeHalloran]

I can't answer that for you.

On the one hand, the review will tune up your skills.

On the other hand, you may not need those skills as a MfgEngr, and waiting will put you in phase with another wave of fresh graduates competing for the same jobs.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[DAPHNE24]

Or should I take short courses on diff areas of Mfg (one after another) so I get to know/enhance my skills technically and theoretically?

 

[MikeHalloran]

I'm getting the impression that you've never set foot in a factory.

It's time. Get a job.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[PSE]

Daphne24

I agree with MikeHalloran, time to get out on the floor and truly begin the education process. Theory and reality tend to be very different critters. Before you do, it would not hurt to take the EIT exam so that you would have it out of the way.

Regards,

 

[jck26]

Daphne24

I too agree with all the rest - time to get a job and go out to the shop floor. I would suggest that you find a company where you can do a full range of work. At large companies you may work on a narrow area and never get the exposure to the proceses that you are seeking. Pick company that is somewhat lean and you will be doing everything from running the equipment to the layout the shop.

It is important that you get a strong relationship with the shopfloor equipment, workers and the day-to-day practices. You can't manage what you don't understand. Also find a company that pays for education and take courses toward some type of advance degree of your choice. After you have worked for a while you can determine if the route is technology or management.

Manufacturing process engineering today does require that you also have formal skills in trouble shooting such as six sigma. As soon as possible become trained (at the Black Belt level)in this method of problem solving. Please also get to the holy grail of manufacturing engineering the IMTS (international manufacturing technolgy show) which will be in September 2008. This is where you can see all of the machine tools and related equipment that keep production flowing.

jck26

 

[DAPHNE24]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!