When is the next engineering boom?

[bigTomHanks]

I've been noticing a lot of engineering jobs posted in my area and some family from another part of the country also commented on the same thing. Are we on the verge of another era where engineers are going to be so high in demand that college graduates will show up to interviews in shorts and get job offers? I have a feeling that a lot of companies have been hording money and are finally investing it in future development.

 

[TheTick]

Getting more calls, lately. I was downsized in March. Job market was spooky quiet. Now it's coming back to life.

I had read (and also observed) that autumn is a heavy hiring season in my field.

p.s. been working new job since May.

http://www.xelainnovations.com

 

[brandonbw]

I see building slowly picking up again here in Southern California. I think it will be a while but at least some developers are getting some form of financing. Whereas maybe 3-4 months ago there was no financing for projects.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering

http://bwengr.com

 

[KENAT]

Well, there's a lot of talk about hiring here, and at least one person has left for another position, however haven't seen many new hires, except as overhead. Plus the few hires we've had over the last year have mostly been temp position through job shops etc., not 'permanent' or more correctly 'direct'.

We certainly have the projects to support it, something like 30 named projects in a department that must be under 50 now - and no most of these projects aren't small one man jobs!

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[MiketheEngineer]

I think it depends in which field you are looking.

 

[patprimmer]

I think it also depends on where you are. I think the developing regions of Asia and the mining areas of Australia already have a big demand although maybe hat is starting to slow down.

Regards
Pat
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[MiketheEngineer]

I believe the Oil Sands in Northwest Canada are looking for help.

Hope you like 2 hour days and -50F temps!!

 

[Fisch88]

Maybe a "boom" is not coming, but overall things do not seem too bad. The company I work for has been going through a large downsizing - opposite of a boom. I have survived, but was very worried about future prospects. Those laid off found work again within 2-4 months, even in 2009 when things looked really bad. We are seeing a lot more turnover now, lots of our engineers jumping ship and finding good jobs. I'm not so concerned now if I do get the old pink slip.

Heck, I even turned down an offer last fall. The guy I interviewed with stated that the position was open for 2 years (shortage ???), they were not able to find the person. They were not willing to pay enough to make the move worthwhile for me. I also had an interview 3 weeks ago with a firm that was turning down work. They are planning to staff up about 10% over the next few months.

Overall things seem to be picking up.

 

[moltenmetal]

Don't dream it, BigTomHanks. The days of multiple offers to fresh grads are not coming back, ever, except perhaps on a short-lived basis in a few specialty programs. If there are shortages, they're not at the bottom end of the experience ladder. That won't change as the baby boomers retire either.

 

[TheTick]

Local placement agency just issued a $1000 bounty on referral for a qualified tooling engineer. Double the usual amount.

 

[SLTA]

My work is closely tied to mortgages and the real estate market, so things are still rather s.l.o.w. around here. Husband is still employed and we still have insurance, though, so I'm counting our blessings and hanging on...

 

[bigTomHanks]

Thanks to everyone who has responded! Obviously I wasn't thinking of civil/structural when I wrote the original post. I honestly feel that right now any company that made it through the recession is going to be poised to expand and can't do squat without good workers.