Seeking advice for re-entering Industrial Engineering

[arokisbobcat]

Hi Everyone,

I am seeking advice from the community about how I may transition back into Industrial Engineering. I graduated with my Industrial Manufacturing & Systems Engineering degree from Ohio University in 2002 but found it extremely difficult finding a job in a depressed manufacturing sector. I took a job in the Information Systems field and have been successful; however, I would like to get back into IE or manufacturing.

I'm finding that many employers/recruiters are turned off by the experience I do have and probably feel that I have 'lost' all my engineering fundamentals. I am hoping to pick up an AutoCAD course to bring my skills up to speed there and have considered obtaining other certifications such as Six Sigma.

Does anybody have any suggestions, advice, and/or recommendations as to what I should do to re-enter the IE arena? Certifications, etc...?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[ctopher]

Talk to people, network.
Sending resumes out over the web most likely will not land you your dream job.
True, it is tough now to find work, but you can do it.
I found a great job after being laid off for 4 months making more $.
Don't stop at only learning AutoCAD. There are other important application to learn. Be diverse.
These days companies are hiring people that can do more. If they need someone to do IE or Mfg, they may want you to also know Flex, SolidWorks, Mastercam, or whatever fits their needs.
Graduating in 2002 will not hurt you, sitting back and waiting will.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[KENAT]

I wouldn't hang your hat on the CAD package. 2D Autocad is being used less & less in manufacturing, and there are numerous 3D alternatives in use as Ctopher says. Also, many industrial/manufacturing engineers don't spend a hole lot of time doing Engineering drawings as such. If you're determined to go that route I'd look to take a more general drafting course, especially if it gets you into tolerancing, especially GD&T. You might want to see about getting some inspection training too.

Getting some familiarity with CAM might be a good idea too as Chris hints.

Maybe even some ERP, especially with your IT background. In fact this might be a good fit.

For a manufacturing role 6 sigma might be worth it. Some doubt its use but some recruiters are attracted by it, even if just for its 'buzzword' status.

Think about what you most want to be doing, more of a manufacturing engineer or a design engineer. While the extra learning you might do for either one will have some beneffit to the other, you could certainly bias it toward what you really want to be.

As Ctopher say, plug away at the general job searching. I got my current job through posting my resume on a job website but that seems to be the exception not the norm.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

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

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[stanford94]

lose the headhunter. apply directly to the companies you want to work for. the internet makes it fast.