Trying to return to mechanical engineering after a long hiatus - advice needed

[rsmalley74]

thread732-316990


Hello,

Long story short, I graduated Penn State in 1997 and became a maintenance engineer at a chemical plant. I was there for 6 years when the plant shut down. I decided that I wanted to pursue a music career while I could, instead of trying to find another job, so I moved to NYC and became a semi-professional musician. It was a great ride and now reality has set in. I'm close to 40 years old and I've been sending out my resume (professionally written, along with a professional cover letter catered to each employer) like they were candy. I've only had 2 interviews as a result, so far. I've enlisted in "refresher courses" online, which I've greatly enjoyed, in hopes to show employers that I'm serious about this endeavor. Can anyone suggest other things I should be doing? Groups I should join? Who should I be networking with?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. I've referenced a previous thread because I would like to know if @nerv1 had any luck getting a job.

 

[FreddyNurk]

In terms of useful approaches, Dick Bolles' book "What Color is Your Parachute" is quite useful, and highlights a number of methods that can also be used to get you over the line.

It gets updated every year, I'd had the 2003 version and used it for a while when I graduated. I've since purchased the 2013 version, and a lot has changed, particularly with prominence of such things as Linkedin.

 

[rsmalley74]

Thank you FreddyNurk for your input. I'll be sure to check it out.

 

[CarolinaPE]

Figure out what you want to do as an ME. Do you want to do product design, HVAC, back to a maintenance engineer, etc? I would figure that out and then go volunteer some hours every week at a company that does what you would like to do. Having some recent experience might get your foot in the door, maybe even at the place where you are volunteering?

 

[GregLocock]

Does volunteering/working for free/etc actually work except in racing teams?

Personally I'd have thought the insurance/liability prob;ems were so great that no sensible organisation would risk it.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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

 

[CarolinaPE]

It worked for me, the company I volunteered for hired me after about 3 months.

 

[moon161]

A few ideas:
Study for and take the FE exam. This has helped me.
Determine a 'get in the door' skill related to what you want to do, and learn it. In 2007, my position was different a little different from yours, I was back in the field, but I knew my contract job would eventually run out. I learned solidworks at home out of books with a personal use copy of SWX.
Schmooze, schmooze, schmooze!

 

[rsmalley74]

Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone!