I feel like I wasted 2 years — advice from senior engineers appreciated

[Hyde_v]

Hi everyone,


I'm an Electrical & Electronics Engineering graduate (March 2023), and I feel incredibly lost right now. Due to nationality issues, I haven’t been able to start my career properly, and I could really use guidance from those ahead of me.


Right after graduation, I was in Indonesia on a family visa, with an expired Sudanese passport while applying for Indonesian citizenship (my parents are from different countries). Some people said I might be able to work on a family visa, but I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to risk it. What really made me wait was a promise — that once I got my new passport, I’d be connected with someone who could help me get experience (even if unpaid, I was willing to accept just to learn something).


I finally received my passport in September 2024 and reached out. But that turned into, “message me next month,” then “end of the year,” and eventually silence. I realized I was probably naive to think things would just fall into place. In January 2025, I was told to try getting the ASEP certification to improve my chances. I agreed — but then I was also told to look for jobs while doing it. But while job hunting, people said I should first finish the cert. It became a loop that drained my motivation. Eventually, I just gave up for a while.


Now I’m here, feeling like I wasted 2 years. And even though I know nothing can bring those years back, it’s hard not to feel like it’s my fault. The gap makes it harder to apply, and that guilt makes it harder to even try.


So, to anyone who has gone through a messy, slow, or uncertain start — how did you push forward?
How did you deal with feeling left behind?


Any advice or tough truths are welcome. I just want to hear from people who’ve been through setbacks and still made it. Thank you.

 

[mfgenggear]

Hi everyone,


I'm an Electrical & Electronics Engineering graduate (March 2023), and I feel incredibly lost right now. Due to nationality issues, I haven’t been able to start my career properly, and I could really use guidance from those ahead of me.


Right after graduation, I was in Indonesia on a family visa, with an expired Sudanese passport while applying for Indonesian citizenship (my parents are from different countries). Some people said I might be able to work on a family visa, but I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to risk it. What really made me wait was a promise — that once I got my new passport, I’d be connected with someone who could help me get experience (even if unpaid, I was willing to accept just to learn something).


I finally received my passport in September 2024 and reached out. But that turned into, “message me next month,” then “end of the year,” and eventually silence. I realized I was probably naive to think things would just fall into place. In January 2025, I was told to try getting the ASEP certification to improve my chances. I agreed — but then I was also told to look for jobs while doing it. But while job hunting, people said I should first finish the cert. It became a loop that drained my motivation. Eventually, I just gave up for a while.


Now I’m here, feeling like I wasted 2 years. And even though I know nothing can bring those years back, it’s hard not to feel like it’s my fault. The gap makes it harder to apply, and that guilt makes it harder to even try.


So, to anyone who has gone through a messy, slow, or uncertain start — how did you push forward?
How did you deal with feeling left behind?


Any advice or tough truths are welcome. I just want to hear from people who’ve been through setbacks and still made it. Thank you.

a little back ground and my challenges

when i was a out of high school, I went to Jr College I had no idea what I was going to work. my high school counselors said that I was destined to be a construction worker.
so no real guidance.
I was so ill prepared out high school I had
take all the prerequisites all in college.

so I liked working with metal shop. and I liked working with wrenches and metal fabrication.
my first job , I had no skills and had no idea
what I could do. display case of all these fancy components. was mind boggling.
I started in an apprenticeship. I was like a sponge. talking and learning from all the senior experts. boy I was learning a lot.
I humbled my self so l could learn. and that's
my philosophy. I never stop asking questions.
most employers want new employees who
want to learn. no matter the type of work.
even after getting a degree, I push my self
to do hard work, and never stop learning.

now in your case your degree shows prospective employers you took the time and dedication to complete a degree.
I recommend too look for a position in the work you like to do in the shop.
I guarantee managers in engineering will be watching you. and there is a great chance of promotion.
a degree will get you in the door. any time a person starts a new job, your starting from zero. it takes time to get respect and promotions. also how to write a resume
it is important to really investigate who is the managers who do the hiring.
and the details of the product.
or research is important and that Jr position engineering can fall into place.
mean while work in the shop.

 

[Hyde_v]

a little back ground and my challenges

when i was a out of high school, I went to Jr College I had no idea what I was going to work. my high school counselors said that I was destined to be a construction worker.
so no real guidance.
I was so ill prepared out high school I had
take all the prerequisites all in college.

so I liked working with metal shop. and I liked working with wrenches and metal fabrication.
my first job , I had no skills and had no idea
what I could do. display case of all these fancy components. was mind boggling.
I started in an apprenticeship. I was like a sponge. talking and learning from all the senior experts. boy I was learning a lot.
I humbled my self so l could learn. and that's
my philosophy. I never stop asking questions.
most employers want new employees who
want to learn. no matter the type of work.
even after getting a degree, I push my self
to do hard work, and never stop learning.

now in your case your degree shows prospective employers you took the time and dedication to complete a degree.
I recommend too look for a position in the work you like to do in the shop.
I guarantee managers in engineering will be watching you. and there is a great chance of promotion.
a degree will get you in the door. any time a person starts a new job, your starting from zero. it takes time to get respect and promotions. also how to write a resume
it is important to really investigate who is the managers who do the hiring.
and the details of the product.
or research is important and that Jr position engineering can fall into place.
mean while work in the shop.

Thanks for sharing your story.


Can I ask — how did you deal with it mentally?
Like when you felt lost or unsure in the beginning, what helped you keep going?

 

[IRstuff]

• Is it you or your job market? Are others having the same problem getting interviews and jobs?
• Is it your resume? Did you have internships? Does your resume actually address the prospective employers' job requirements?
  • Does your resume clearly show what your accomplishments are, if any? Many people write things like "Worked on project ABC" without clearly indicated what their contributions were and what problems they solved.
  • Have you had 3rd parties critique your resume?
• A certification MIGHT be useful, but usually, it's indicative of a resume, or career, that's lacking any solid accomplishments
• It might not be unusual to have a dozen different configurations of the same basic resume, to specifically highlight the "why me" question that specifically addresses what an individual employer might want or need.

 

[SWComposites]

where did you get your degree?
is it a BS degree? accredited?
where are you applying for work?
are there any open jobs listed where you are?
what companies are you applying at?
are you applying directly to companies
or are you applying thru some sort of recruiter company?
what specific job roles are you applying for?

 

[mfgenggear]

Thanks for sharing your story.


Can I ask — how did you deal with it mentally?
Like when you felt lost or unsure in the beginning, what helped you keep going?

I would set small short goals. That I knew I could accomplish.. don't set goals that are not achievable.
I had many many set backs. I made mistakes
But that's how we learn. Most entrepreneurs fail many times , but they learn from their mistakes
And keep trying till they succeeded.
There is an old saying. When it gets tough the tough get going. Pure mental stamina.
Not giving up and push on.

What gets people in trouble is over embellishing
Their resumes of having skill set then not able
To perform.

In your case thou you need to sell your self.
Promote what you have accomplished.
That would benefit the prospective employer.
What specific studies or part time work is applicable. Write your resume with a possitive
Outlook.
Look I am average guy but so I had to try harder and work harder. When tackling a new project
I go full in , I research as much as possible.
Use given data that is vetted. And if I lack that data, I test it to get it. I never guess on a project.

Write all the positive projects or abilities.
Don't worry they will train you.
They don't expect a newbie to know.
I have a terrible memory so i am constantly
Reviewing and studying.

 

[MintJulep]

Some people said

I’d be connected with someone who could help me

And here you are asking strangers on the internet what to do.

It's your life. You need to take control of it. Stop waiting for others to do it for you.

 

[XR250]

It's our thoughts that control our feelings. Stop thinking "you have been left behind" or "this my fault" or "I am life's victim" Try to re-frame the situation that you created to something more positive. "People are excited about hiring me" or "I am an amazing Engineer" Your life will soon change.

 

[Ron247]

Now I’m here, feeling like I wasted 2 years.

First, I'd like a little better understanding of what constitutes "here".

Your post asks for help on "pushing forward" from those of us who have experienced difficulties. You have not asked for how to alter your course, but you will get advice on that too.

For "pushing forward", parts of that come from how your view yourself and your overall character. Don't view yourself as a victim but do view yourself as someone who is being challenged. You have not wasted 2 years, but you did not get the productivity from it that you desired. The last 2 years gave you some measure of resiliency that others may not have gotten. How you define your situation to yourself and the things you acknowledge sets the stage for your continued pursuit of your goal. My early challenge was financial. Moved out of my parents house when I was 18. Solely on my own. Learned very quickly that minimum wage will not pay the bills, this was the mid-70s. I went to work in construction as a laborer because I was told I get paid based on my value. I went from Back-labor (hired from the neck down) to carpenter (hired from the neck up) in 4 years. I had to learn something new EVERYDAY that pushed me forward. I had to study a carpenters textbook my older brother had because at one time, he was in the same situation.

3 philosophical quotes to remember: "Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal." "Your mental attitude determines what you make of it, either a stepping stone or a stumbling block." "Whether you think you can or think you can't, your right."

As far as "altering your course", treat this a goal to achieve and not a problem to solve. Your are not having a problem, you are failing to work towards a goal. Goals can be achieved by numerous pursuits going on simultaneously. Now goals can have isolated problems inside the goal, but your primary direction is a goal. They can be both short and long term. Lack of a clear goal prevents you from having a true path to success. Right now, you need some short term success. Before I would offer much advice on your goal, let us know more about what you are allowed to do in your current situation (what jobs could you possibly get) and what is your reasonable goal you wish to achieve right now. Also, answer all questions being posed to you in this thread by the participants. The career you have chosen has 3 major pieces, education, skills and experience. You have some education but not all that you will need. You can work on skills now. Your trying to get experience.

 

[IRstuff]

"There's a bathroom on the right".

Ironic that the title of the song was "Bad Moon Rising"

Mine was "Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds".

 

[Ron247]

LOL, I made the same mistake with The Beatles LSD song.

 

[Ethnan]

Dear Hyde,

Great advice from seniors here for you!
With a B.sc, you are already ahead of many!
Let nothing else stop you now,
If nothing could stop you in school.
Build skills, learn it, you may feel used,
My sincere prayer goes to you.
You will succeed! Believe you will.