Any suggestions re: job opportunities-little update!!

[WDWAurora]

My DBF has been job searching his heart out for nearly a year (well, technically over a year) and is nearly at wits end. All jobs in his field (Electrical Engineering) require at least 3 years of experience, which he can't get without finding a first job. He knows networking is where to find the entry level jobs, but we've exhausted every network he, his family, and my family have. Where else do you go? What else do you do? I have to start grad school in the fall, and at this point I don't know where I'm going because I don't know where he'll be, and ideally we'd be married when I started grad school, but at this point it's looking less and less like a possibility. We want to stay in the general area here (as in, the southeast). We'd go (within reason) anywhere in NC, SC, TN, VA, GA, and possibly FL. There just isn't anything. *sigh* I'm just a little depressed right now (some days this hits me harder than others) so thanks for reading if you got this far.

 

[ead79]

Does he have his degree in Electrical Engineering? Does his college have a career department that might know of job fairs or something? Of course, monster.com is a good place to look. What is he most interested in doing? Does he want to work for a consulting engineering firm or do something else? Are his salary expectations realistic? Sorry for all the questions, I just know someone who works for an engineering company and might have some suggestions.

 

[WDWAurora]

Yes, he has a BS in Electrical Engineering. He didn't do any coops, but he graduated in 3 years (takes most people here 5) and completed a project making flat batteries his senior year. The school tries to help, but don't seem to be able to do much. He's been using monster, but with limited results. Most interviews he's had have been through careerbuilder.com and they tend to turn him down due to lack of actual on the job experience. He's interested in consulting, but hasn't taken the PE (or FE, I can't remember which one it is he needs for that) as you have to sign up to take it a long time in advance. He's interested in other aspects, and just really wants to use his degree. He has lots of experience in web design. I think his main specialization is Electronics, but our school requires you to have I think 3 specializations, so he's pretty well rounded in that aspect. He doesn't really have any strict salary expectations. At this point I think he'd take almost anything for a salary, but would like to keep it in the average range for those starting in his field.

Thanks for the advice!!

Courtney

 

[FINFAN]

I don't have much advice for the prior experience trap, but I just wanted to say the PE (professional Engineer Exam) is huge for future marketablity. If he can find a way to work on it he should really consider it. Most opportunities we have seen listed (and those not listed but thru headhunters etc.) especially in the southeast require a PE. I know it seems like a real pain and is bothersome, but without it engineers can hit a brick wall. Have you tried Management Recruiters International....or Southeast Recruiters? You really have to make your presence known, follow up w/these guys so they don't just toss your resume' on a pile. Engineering/manufacturing is in a real slump right now, but I have seen a little bit of activity beginning.

Good Luck,

Pam

 

[kadaten]

He may be having a hard time because he didn't coop, so maybe he should try to get an internship somewhere just to get some experience under his belt.

I say that because my DH went to GaTech and nearly everyone there coops and by the time they've graduated they have 1 or 2 years of experience and a foot in the door of 1 or more companies. Many of his fraternity brothers graduated on Saturday, took a week off, then started work the following Monday for their former coop companies.....never had to look.

What's your BF doing now? If he has a job that can pay the bills for now, can he look for an internship where he can get experience and prove himself? It can always develop into a job....

Just a thought! Good luck to you both in work and school!!

 

[WDWAurora]

I just wanted to say the PE (professional Engineer Exam) is huge for future marketablity

Now is this the one you take anytime, or is it the one you have to take like 3 years after you graduate? All the letters sound the same to me!

I referred him to those two companies you mentioned FINFAN, so he'll hopefully check those out today.

In regards to the coop, he didn't do it because it isn't emphasized here. Due to the intensity of this program and the projects that must be completed to graduate, only a handful actually do coops in this program. Where should he look for internships?

Right now he's living at home, which is rough, since his parents aren't exactly the "nurturing" type and tend to damage his self-esteem daily, but that's another story. He's looking for jobs everywhere he can think of, making calls, making visits, and that's about all he's done for nearly the past year.

Thanks for the advice everyone! Anything more you can advise is greatly appreciated!

 

[FINFAN]

I think the PE has a 7 year limit, (from graduation)or it did.. I amy be confused with the nursing field.....the requirements may have changed. Have your BF check w/his career counselor where he went to school.
Good luck to you both.

 

[kadaten]

If you're looking anywhere in the Southeast, have you tried Atlanta? As the biggest city in the south, it's a natural for companies desiring a southern presence. Since there's a big engineering school there they often hire new grads. DH had several fraternity brothers who worked at Factory Automation Systems in Atlanta both cooping and after graduating. He doesn't really have any "ins" with them right now, but it's a good company and maybe you could check to see if they're hiring or at least talk to someone. Other friends cooped at Siemens, Brown & Williamson, Coca-Cola, Cumming Diesel, and many others....there's lots to look at.

 

[WDWAurora]

Thanks for the specific company names, he is looking in that area, so I appreciate knowing some actual places for him to check, other than just job bank sites.

Also, I have a little update: He had a phone interview with a company today that is ten miles from my hometown. It would only be a part-time position, but he could get another part-time job in the meantime, and hopefully work his way into a full-time job with the company. His chances seem pretty high with this, and it would allow us to marry sometime this fall (or even winter, a Christmas wedding would be nice) and allow me to go to the graduate school I would prefer to go to and be closer to home. Prayers and Pixie Dust please! We are very excited about this prospect, but he will continue his search in the meantime.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[GoofItUp]

DH is a ME and works in the aerospace industry. The testing requirements vary by state, but in Texas, you have to take the FE (Fundmentals of Engineering) first. This would enable you to work under the guidance of a Professional Engineer for 5 years and then take the PE (Professional Engineering) exam. However, due to the nature of DH's work, he chose not to do that. But, he could go back and do so at any time in the future if he wanted to. Hope that explains the testing somewhat.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for finding a job. I hope that the company he interviewed with today works out for him!

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Has he tried getting help through a Temp Company??

 

[WDWAurora]

I'm sending him to ManPower the next time he's in town. It couldn't hurt at all, and I think it could be a step in the right direction. I don't know of any other temp agencies in the area that handle engineers.