Where to start?

[lookingforwork222]

Greetings all, long time lurker, first time poster. I am a recent graduate with a BSME. I am looking to get a foot in the door as an entry- level HVAC engineer. My last semester during school I took an HVAC design class and fell in love with the topic and the field. I am in NJ and about 30 miles out of NYC. I had a control systems internship which I took because it was about controlling the energy costs of clients so I was able to see all different types of units such as AHU, VFD's, Chillers, boilers, etc. That ended after I graduated and now I'm looking to get into the design part of the field. I am scheduled for my FE exam in October. Other than networking and google searching full MEP firms what else can I do?

Thanks!

 

[Drazen]

i would always recommend you to join contractor's firm, at least for a while. grasping things in reality will give you approach to some experience you cannot get in design office and can accelerate your later career in design.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

Look for a contractor that does design/build which pairs the contractors with the consulting engineering firms.

This will give you real world contracting experience in the field, but also design experience that some contractors do not get.

Sometimes, it is difficult to even know what companies are around that you might be interested in joining.

When I was looking for work about 10 years ago, I got onto the Consulting Specifying Engineer Magazine website. They had a list (often with websites, but always with contact information) of engineering consulting firms across the country. I found at least 50 that I was able to send resumes and cover letters, had probably 10 interviews, and landed a job.

I think it is a great plus that you have some experience with the "energy" aspect of the field. That is a growing market.

Good luck.