Will a 'bad sounding' criminal conviction from long ago keep me from finding work in the field? 22

[Catman9000]

Hello,

I will be graduating with my BSME in May of 2013. I plan on beginning my job search long before that, possibly as early as October. I'm going to be completely honest with any prospective employers, mostly because it's the right thing to do, but also due to the fact that a bit of verifiable dishonesty on an application can easily bite back.

In 2004 I was young, dumb and full of...bad ideas, I was convicted of misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse for having sexual relations with my high school sweetheart. I've kept a clean record since.

Years later, after getting my priorities straightened, I found out that I had a passion for machine development and decided to pursue an ME degree. Having never taken so much as an advanced level math class, chemistry or physics in high school and being awful in those subjects, I wound up needing close to 2 years worth of various science prerequisites before even setting foot into a Calc 1 class.

I'll most likely graduate with a 2.8 GPA and (God willing) some intern experience, although it's not much - I've really worked hard to get this far. At this point I desire nothing more than to live a normal, professional life.

Any helpful input would be really appreciated.

 

[patprimmer]

Catman

You came here with half a story and asked for advice. If you can't see the flaw in that you won't make a very good engineer.

No one can give good advice without good data to base it on. Some might be very kind and say all is great, but unless we know the details we can't.

If it truly was a misdemeanour between two consenting teenagers it might very well be expunged and or ignored however if it was more serious it most probably will follow you and you need to accept that.

Also, I will within the rules of this site answer how I like in any thread I like. If you don't want comment don't post, and sure as %$^# don't tell me what, when and where I can post. For one it indicates a character flaw that may have lead to your having this problem. ie a lack of respect rights of others.

Regards
Pat
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[Catman9000]

I think I've received all I information I need at the moment. I've decided that I may need to consult a legal forum instead. I've really enjoyed my limited visit to this site and will back in the future under a different screen name of course.

 

[patprimmer]

An excellent pair of decisions I think.

Regards
Pat
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[vpl]

Catman9000. If you decide to come back "under a different name of course" write the system admin first (maybe by red flagging this thread and asking him to delete this account so you can create a new anonymous one in the future.) Bad things often happen to people who try to create multiple accounts -- both accounts go "poof!" You can red fleg the post by going to the bottom center and clicking on the words "Inappropriate post? If so, Red Flag it!"

This site offers a lot from the technical advice for engineers. Even if you just read through the posts, you can learn a tremendous amount.

Patricia Lougheed

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[kylesito]

I would also suggest having this forum deleted. It seems to have offered you much more than you bargained for.

Your situation is unique and will require a unique solution. Take the good advice here and keep up the hard work. If you are genuine and sincere you will eventually get where you need to be.

Good luck.



PE, SE
Eastern United States

"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi

 

[adamusmc2002]

Catman9000;

I was in your same boat when I started my degree pursuit 5 years ago...I was 8 years out of high school, fresh out of the military and ready to start college. But being so far out from my last time in a classroom, I had to start at the bottom, like you mentioned, getting spooled back up on the basics so I wouldn't crash and burn when I got to Calc 1.

That being said, I too didn't have the best GPA, but what I was able to do more recently that a classmate suggested is, if you have any gaps in your curriculum schedule ( say you can't fill your schedule up with a full 12 hours because of a prerequisite ) Try and see if you can fit in re-taking a course you struggled with early on. In my case, the biggest help was Calc 1. As you know, it carries a lot of weight credit-wise, and in my case, I got a C the first time through. About a year ago, the way the classes fell led to me being held up by pre-requisites, so I re-took Calc 1 and let me tell you, it was a great refresher, it was much easier the 2nd time around, and I got a high A. So needless to say, this jump in 5 credit hours from a C to an A helped out my GPA. Not the most time efficient option, but can make the best of a pre-req hold up. I would definitely be in the 2.8-2.9 range if I hadn't done this...I've got it up to and held onto a respectable 3.2 and have 2 classes left this semester.

Good luck

Adam

 

[spongebob007]

"I've decided that I may need to consult a legal forum instead."

Probably the smartest thing you have said in this whole thread. If you are asking engineers for legal advice it may not even be worth what you paid for it. The best advice anyone other than a lawyer can give you is to talk to a lawyer. Look, honesty may not always be the best policy. If you don't have to give the information, don't volunteer it. You said you were 17 when you were arrested. Were you tried as a juvenile? If so your record might be able to be sealed or expunged now that you are over 18. You need a lawyer to help you out with that. However, if you were to apply for a government job, especially one that requires a security clearance, you may have to disclose your criminal past even if the record was sealed.

For what it is worth, in my career I have never had to fill out a job application or disclose my criminal background ahead of time. Usually you send out resumes and if the company is interested in you based on your resume they will bring you in for an interview. At the interview is when I have always filled out the job application and the hiring manager doesn't always have it in hand during the interview. You need to carefully read what the application asks. Most applications I have ever filled out will ask if you have been been convicted of a felony. Unfortunately that still doesn't mean that the company won't do a criminal background check anyway, and with background checks being cheap and easy, more and more companies do them. Although no company is going to run a background check on you unless they are interested in extending you an offer. So all is not lost because the professional job search isn't all about dropping a job application in a slot and hoping for the best. By the time questions about your past come up, the employer will already have had a chance to meet you and form an opinion about whether or not they want to hire you. If you have to disclose your record on the application, it would be best to have an open an honest discussion about it at the interview. The worst part about lying on your application is that many companies will extend a job offer before performing the background check. I have heard stories of people getting fired after already being on the job for several weeks before the background check was performed.

It is also my opinion that it should be illegal for companies to ask if you have ever been arrested. An arrest is not the same as a conviction. In Amercia you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. It should also be illegal for them to inquire about your criminal history any further back than say 7 years. If you have managed to keep your nose clean for that long it means that you really have been trying to keep your life on the right track.

 

[IRstuff]

so, this is what the government will generally ask if you are looking for a security clearance

Section 22 - Police Record
For this section report information regardless of whether the record in your case has been sealed, expunged, or
otherwise stricken from the court record, or the charge was dismissed. You need not report convictions under the
Federal Controlled Substances Act for which the court issued an expungement order under the authority of 21
U.S.C. 844 or 18 U.S.C. 3607. Be sure to include all incidents whether occurring in the U.S. or abroad.
Police Record
Have any of the following happened? (If 'Yes' you will be asked to provide details for each offense that pertains to
the actions that are identified below.)
• In the past seven (7) years have you been issued a summons, citation, or ticket to appear in court in a
criminal proceeding against you? (Do not check if all the citations involved traffic infractions where the fine
was less than $300 and did not include alcohol or drugs)
• In the past seven (7) years have you been arrested by any police officer, sheriff, marshal or any other
type of law enforcement official?
• In the past seven (7) years have you been charged, convicted, or sentenced of a crime in any court?
(Include all qualifying charges, convictions or sentences in any Federal, state, local, military, or non-U.S.
court, even if previously listed on this form).
• In the past seven (7) years have you been or are you currently on probation or parole?
• Are you currently on trial or awaiting a trial on criminal charges?

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[IRstuff]

Oops, hit the post, instead of preview. So, expungement is irrelevant to the crime at hand. However, since you are 9 yrs past the conviction, you don't have to reveal this for a security clearance, at least, from this government organization.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[IanME]

Catman:

Coming from a recent grad, I think your best bet is to try and use any networking / connections that you gain in school and even in life. Sexual charges notwithstanding, with a low G.P.A. your best bet is to try and stand out through having a good relationship with someone already employed or having proven yourself to be a good employee.

I would highly recommend exploring your schools intern/co-op program before you graduate.
Best of Luck,
-Ian

"All models are wrong, but some are usefull" - George E. P. Box

 

[vpl]

Catman has left the conversation a long time ago.

Patricia Lougheed

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