How do I become employable 1

[turnnburn81]

I've been wanted to ask this question of some professional engineers for quite a while, and I'm glad I finally found this forum.

I graduated with a BS in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering (double major) in 2003, but I've never actually worked in engineering, and I was wondering would it would take for me to become employable as an engineer.

A little background on me:
I'm currently employed as a pilot for a regional airline and I'm enjoying it. I've wanted to be a pilot for a long time, long before I went to college. I'm a little concerned about making a career as a pilot, although it goes outside the purpose of this post to explain why. Basically what I'm interested in is expanding my skill set as much as possible, so I don't have all my eggs in one basket, so to speak, if things don't go well in my current career.

My engineering background is nothing special, even as a student. The main reason I studied engineering in college instead of aviation is the same reason I am writing here, I didn't want to put all my eggs in the aviation basket, although I am interested in engineering and I enjoy understanding how things work. I graduated from the University of California Davis with a 2.5 GPA. I wasn't really involved in activities or projects in school, although I did work on our schools FutureCar team for one quarter. After I graduated I focused entirely on becoming a pilot. I was in the Air Force briefly, although I never actually flew due to a minor color vision defiency.

So basically all I have is a nearly 6 year old BS in engineering and that's it, which I'm fairly certain would not make me a very good candidate for any kind of job as an engineer. So I'd like to know what some of you think I would need to do to work in engineering, in any capacity. I should be clear in that I would not expect much as far as the type of work I might get initially. I'm really wondering what it would take for me to get any kind of work at all, something that would give me experience and a chance to prove myself in the real world.

I appreciate any advice anyone has.

 

[KENAT]

Maybe not a direct answer but perhaps you could look at working part time on a relevant Masters while working as a pilot. That way it will at least show you're continuing your engineering education despite working out of the direct field.

Also some proffesional organizations may be open for you to join, so you could make more connections with engineers.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[melone]

When interviewing with potential engineering employers, you may want to re-think your explanation of not wanting to "put all your eggs in one basket" when they ask you why you became a pilot even though you graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. Some may take that as being non-commital towards engineering....

 

[IRstuff]

Or... noncommital with EITHER. You're hedging both plays, which, in most people's view, is an avenue to mediocrity.

KENAT's suggestion sounds like a way to redeem your grades, which, frankly, are nothing to write home about. But, you'll need to do spectacularly well to overcome that aspect with your Master's coursework. Otherwise, what are you going to show a prospective employer; a 2.5 in college and a 2.5 in Masters?

And how are you going to explain getting a Master's and doing nothing with it? And, bear in mind, that even with a Master's degree, you will still be in an entry-level position, if, or when, you go looking for a new job.

Whle hedging is a way of life for some fund managers, for individuals, the level of hedging that you are after will definitely smack of a lack of commitment.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[bradpa77]

Have you tried getting yourself in the engineering job market at all? Before assuming you are not going to get a job with your current situation, at least try. You never know, someone may want to take a chance on you with your current situation. Look at entry level engineering jobs and try to get your foot in the door somewhere. I don't think you are necessarily "unemployable". You might not have the upper hand, but I don't think the amount of time you took away from engineering is going to completely eliminate you from the field.

I agree to keep the "all your eggs in one basket" mentality out of the interviewing process. It will probably look like you won't commit to the job long term. Instead, maybe explain that you took some time off to pursue your passion for flying and then decided that it wasn't for you...or something similar to that. Make sure you have a good reason lined up for taking the time away from engineering.

Other than that, I can't think of any more tips for you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[rbulsara]

Pilot? Pilots are is great shortage in Asia.

 

[PeterStock]

Test Pilot / Engineer maybe?

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

 

[turnnburn81]

The "egg's in one basket" idea is definitely not something I would take to an interview, and perhaps its not the best way to describe my mentality either. I think bradpa77 probably said it better when he said, "maybe explain that you took some time off to pursue your passion for flying and then decided that it wasn't for you." I love flying, and its a great job, but I'm finding it may not be a great career. Aviation, and the airline industry especially, is extremely cut-throat and unpredictable. You never know when you get started where you'll end up, weather or not the choices you make are the right ones. A lot of where your career goes comes down to luck, and I've met a lot of pilots that aren't anywhere close to where they want to be but are pretty much trapped where they are.

Of course that could happen to anybody, but the thing about being a pilot it that as far as most employers are concerned we're a commodity. Most employers only care how little pay they can get you to work for, not so much about what kind of skills and experience you have. And if you happen to lose your job for whatever reason, your only option is usually to go back to where you started, at the bottom of the seniority list for low pay and poor quality of life, no matter what level you were at before.

This is what I don't like, and why I'm posting here. I don't like feeling like a commodity and I want to have options. I know in engineering, you may change jobs a few times over your career, and you may be laid off a few times, but if you're a skilled and talented engineer you can create your own opportunities.

I'm not looking to get into engineering now, but I do have some training in it, and I was wondering what I might do to update my skills besides going through my old notes and text books. I was thinking along the lines of internships or refresher courses that I could take while I'm working as a pilot. Or perhaps a job that requires limited commitment but that would allow me to keep current in the industry (is there such a thing as a part time job as an engineer?) Working on a masters sounds like a good idea, but I remember hearing you have to have an undergrad GPA above 3.0 to begin a masters program. Or is that only at certain institutions?

 

[MintJulep]

How briefly were you in the Air Force, what did you do while you were in, and why did you leave?

 

[KENAT]

Your opinion on Engineering may be a case of 'grass is greener' - there are frequent complaints on here about being treated as a commodity, getting laid off etc.

Did you get a clearance while in the air force, I can't remember how long they stay active for but in some areas of the defence industry a warm body with clearance is better than a highly skilled person without.

If your GPA keeps you out of Masters, you could look at a second bachelors in say electrical engineering or something.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[KENAT]

As to part time jobs, most of the ones I've seen are for experienced staff. Often people nearing retirement or the like.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[Zapster]

turnnburn81,

What specific field of mechanical engineering do you have a passion for? If you are uncertain, spend some time looking at the different forums and post some details of your interests.

 

[TheTick]

You picked a rotten time to try to start engineering. Job market is, shall we say, more competitive than usual.

No matter what your motives are, you need to show interviewers that you are focused on engineering. No one wants to be the "Plan B" employer.

Grad school is probably the best way to shore up your credibility. Again, the current eceonomy is making grad schgool more competitive, as more unemployed engineers are using their off time to get more education.

Contract work is a good entry path into the engineering field. Some contracts lead to direct hiring, all lead to more experience.

 

[plasgears]

When my career as a mech eng had its ups and downs some time ago, I took flight training thru the GI Bill. I finally got my instructor rating and moonlighted on the side. The potential for making a career out of flying appeared dismal. The potential airline earnings were a small fraction of my engineering earnings.

One of my best mentoring experiences was with a MME who had a working specialty with fracture mechanics. [He was very employable.] He helped upgrade my work, the company's standing with the USAF, and helped answer problems with flight structure failures in the Air Force. This is no exaggeration.

The message: If you want to penetrate engineering in a positive way, go for the masters and do some useful research and experimentation towards your MME or MAE.

 

[stanweld]

How about working as a pilot for an Engineering Construction firm or Aerospace firm? Knowing the Executives can provide an entry. Many private firms have Corporate planes; they do in fact provide economic advantages despite the invective spewed by a number of our Legislators.

 

[KENAT]

Tick, I'm not sure about the contract work as an entry path.

Places I've worked want the contract staff to be up & running within a day or so. This isn't going to work in most situations for a new grad.

However, I've heard the suggestion before so I suppose it must work sometimes.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484

 

[jnam82]

I'm in almost the same boat as the OP and been thinking about getting master's. However when asking for letters of recommendation, I don't know who to ask as my previous employers weren't engineering related and I've been out of school for 3 yrs so I doubt professors will remember me.

 

[davidinindy]

How much engineering knowledge do you retain after not using it for 6-7 years? I know I have to look up a lot of things that I know I knew a few years ago, but haven't used in a while.

As for job stability, I wouldn't say engineering is any better than any other field.
I and another engineer got downsized a month ago, and are both still unemployed.
The other guy is going to school to go into dentistry. I'm considering a ceareer change myself...
It's a bad situation around here.
Companies that aer hiring are able to hire someone with more experience for a lower wage than ever.

David

 

[jnam82]

I was considering going into healthcare too as it seems more stable, also considered dentistry. Just curious how old your co-worker who's going back to school for dentistry? I'm 27 now and I would have to go to school for 6 years and the debt I would be in changed my mind.

 

[davidinindy]

He's younger than me. I think maybe around 25-30. His wife is a dentist also.

David