What do all the useless engineering graduates do for work? 3

[wdr36]

Apart from digging ditches, qa testing what else can one do with limited skill set?

 

[RVAmeche]

Do you even like engineering? Do you know (have you actually done any engineering)? I know many of my classmates went into engineering because its the default push for someone that seems smart and technically inclined - I'd wager at least 50% are doing nothing engineering degree related because they just don't like the field/work. There's plenty of avenues for you to pivot an engineering degree that isn't straight up engineering at a big contractor/consulting firm - equipment design, technical sales, municipal stuff, site facilities work (one of my friends is doing a project at zoo right now), etc.

 

[wdr36]

I think you need to fully address the elephant in the room; are you fully capable of doing the engineering? If so, do you have relevant job experience? These days, internships are the gateway drug to decent jobs, and working at McD's for 3 summers in college is definitely not going to hack it. Additionally, your resume is comparable to your college application; does it say clearly "Pick me" and why they should pick "me." A resume is a selling document, where you are selling "you" as a product, and that product must obviously fill a need that the potential employer has, and the better you are able to present "you" as the solution to the problem they have, or didn't even know they have, is key.

are you fully capable of doing the engineering?

Yes. I have very basic skills though.

If so, do you have relevant job experience?

Only through personal projects. I had to work other jobs to support myself.

These days, internships are the gateway drug to decent jobs, and working at McD's for 3 summers in college is definitely not going to hack it.

Well these days employers aren't really interested in hiring in case you haven't noticed therefore there is nothing to "hack" it. Also not all of us are lucky in securing an internship. I didn't despite having a great grade point average. Get off that high and mighty attitude if you please.

Additionally, your resume is comparable to your college application; does it say clearly "Pick me" and why they should pick "me." A resume is a selling document, where you are selling "you" as a product, and that product must obviously fill a need that the potential employer has, and the better you are able to present "you" as the solution to the problem they have, or didn't even know they have, is key.

I've been doing that all along. The resume is not the problem.

 

[lucky-guesser]

Get off that high and mighty attitude if you please.

I've been underqualified for my last 3 jobs, either in terms of degreed credentials or general work experience. That said, with good personnel skills and a willingness to learn, I've been able to get the job and keep working my way up the ladder each time.

No one else here has an attitude or is throwing insults, and if you are interpreting things as such, then maybe you need to do some soul searching.

YOUR attitude, and clear distain for people who are just trying to help, is why I do not predict success for you.

Have the day you deserve....

 

[wdr36]

I've been underqualified for my last 3 jobs, either in terms of degreed credentials or general work experience. That said, with good personnel skills and a willingness to learn, I've been able to get the job and keep working my way up the ladder each time.

No one else here has an attitude or is throwing insults, and if you are interpreting things as such, then maybe you need to do some soul searching.

YOUR attitude, and clear distain for people who are just trying to help, is why I do not predict success for you.

Have the day you deserve....

I interpret things the way how I want to interpret things, you interpret things the way you want to interpret things. But I have no "attitude" about anything, therefore there is no "YOUR attitude". And yes some people were throwing subtle insults, I don't need to do any soul searching.

YOUR attitude, and clear distain for people who are just trying to help, is why I do not predict success for you.

Have the day you deserve....

YOUR attitude and clear lack of perspective is why I do not predict success for you either.

Have the day you deserve...

 

[RVAmeche]

I don't think anyones been subtle about how abrasive you come off here and how dismissive you've been. Not the best approach when asking for HELP.

Job market is rough for new grads and on the job training is always the norm. Keep applying (especially outside of Linkedin), widen your search to things that may seem weird, and do what you have to do to make ends meet. Outside of that work on your outward personality and maybe reduce your reddit time.

 

[RattlinBog]

There's "how to win friends and influence people" and then there's its antithesis: "how to lose friends and alienate people."

Unreal. I thought this was joke/satire post at first, but it seems you're serious. Please do some deep introspection if you truly believe this is an acceptable way to talk to people, even if they are internet strangers. Even if you were to totally ignore normal etiquette and the feelings of others, and only focus on your own self-interest, there are surely better ways to make a first impression, no?

 

[Brian Malone]

I am old enough to know job markets are always tough for new grads / those with limited experience. Occasionally, a given area / specialty may have a major run up but then others are stagnant. The late 70's had grads paying finder's fees to job placement agencies while if you were in the right place in the Cal. Silicon Valley, EEs, electronics techs and assemblers were in extreme demand, the Dot Com boom did the same for software engineers, and those outside those hot zones had to be scrappy. In my 48+ years working I see every year reported to be the worst year for new grads. It makes copy for newspapers, magazines, and politicos. An engineering degree is not a limited skill set. It is a wonderful mindset for problem solving. Engineer your success - make it happen. Good luck.

 

[SWComposites]

wdr36,
If you think the job market is bad now, you should have seen it in the early ‘80s.
Anyway, please answer some questions:
- where are you located?
- what degree do you have? level and field?
- what type of companies have you applied to? In what locations?
- have you gotten any interviews?
- if you have had interviews, what feedback did you get?
- if you are a new graduate, are you using your uni’s placement office?
People here will help if you give them more than a one line vague question.

 

[GregLocock]

I've always thought the ideal first job for a graduate is manufacturing of some sort. An engineering degree and a bit of common sense is a great start for problem solving factory floor issues. It also leads to a bit of attitude adjustment.