job (structural engineering)

[NewGrad2009]

Hi, I have been reading this forum and I find it very helpful. Now I am looking for some career advise.

I have been looking for a job on and off for a year now. I finally graduated in May with a PhD in structural engineering. I also hold a master's degree in Architecture. I had about 2.5 years of internships in Arch and Engineering (non-structural). I have been applying for structural engineer positions in the Southern California area. I got a few interviews in late 2008/early 2009 and some of them told me that "we are not hiring now; but check with us if you have a job offer." Lately, my resume seems to just go into black holes with no response whatsoever.

I want to ask about the state of the job market in structural engineering. And if there is something about my background that is not landing a job.

Many thanks in advance!!!!!!

 

[msquared48]

Part of practicality is avoiding the tendency to over-analyze any problem. To the client and your future boss, time is money, and, if you make money for him, he will keep you on in hard times as opposed to others. Some problems warrant a lot of analysis, but many are gut calls.

If you chose the private consulting sector as opposed to research, just keep this in mind. It will help feed your family, your career, and your future. Best wishes to you and yours, and congratulations too. It was a hard road.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[swivel63]

well, i don't know if your biggest problem right now is your education. if you have an MS is Civil/Structural, right? and an additional MS in Arch? yea, i think for everyone.....even seasoned engineers are having a hard time finding work. don't think it's all you, or everything of what we've said about PHd people.

practical for many people isn't something that's innate. it's something you learn from experience in design as well as being in the field. i developed mine from having to interpret another engineer's structurals and reviewed shops as a threshold inspector. like mike said above me, you'll get to the point where instead of having to run some numbers, you can look at a moment/shear/ect and just know what'll work.

 

[graybeach]

NewGrad2009,
I graduated with my BSCE in 1983 which was one of the worst times to find an engineering job ever. After 8 months of waitressing I finally got a job at a state DOT doing bridge design. Have you thought about trying that? In my state, yours too probably, one must take a civil service test to be considered for junior engineer jobs. Why not take the test just to keep that option open?

 

[westheimer1234]

can someone tell me how can i work for the state DOT.. do they still accept entry level even for experienced engineers?

thanks,