Where to pick up Engineering experience?
 

I'm wondering if someone can point me to the right direction here.

I'm a Mechanical Engineer, looking to switch fields (within Mechanical Engineering). In the past I was in construction HVAC (very specialized), though I am now looking to move into Mechanical Design, or Project Coordination/Engineering.

Because my previous experience I have been pigeonholed pretty badly. I have the educational requirements to do any of the roles listed above but companies will not even give me the time of day when I apply, citing "lack of relevant experience". I cannot even seem to get a contract or internship or volunteer position.

Does anyone have have any tips on this end, or know someone I can talk to? As easy as it is to blame the recession, I really could use some career straightening.

Thanks in advance.

lol.. this thread now belongs to the both of us.


I'm not doing co-op, and I'm going into 4th year Electrical Engineering.

I've tried to search for an internship or even volunteering work for this summer, but they all require 2-6 years of experience.

I know most graduates get their jobs from previous co-ops, but what about those ppl who didn't do co-op?

I need someone to straighten the following facts for me.

If all engineering jobs require a few years of experience, then how can any students or graduates get a job?

Adding on to the previous question..
if companies don't like to use their resource on training students and graduates, then who do they expect to take over their aging employees?



I seriously don't know how ppl get an engineering job now a day when the requirement always states "xx years of related work experience required."

copy the Saw movies
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1) keep trying/spamming out applications. You already know this.
2) learn to like the taste of ... :haha: sausage.

Just keep plugging away. Assuming you have a presentable skillset and know how to navigate through an interview, someone will take a chance on you eventually. And if that fails, there's always option 2!

1)
but I don't even qualify for the job requirement of having at least 2+ years or related work experience. So wouldn't all my applications not get past the first round? ? ?

2)
I know it too well. 3 years of sausage fest. 1 more to go. fml


hmm.. do employers add that requirement to their job posting just to discourage ppl like me from applying??? Now I'm confused even more.


skinnypup. So I should engineer all those crazy traps to kill ppl??

You can't make experience with no experience. Take what you can get for now, and switch later perhaps? Beggars can't be choosers, especially in this economy.. and esp in engineering these days.

^ Dood, you're in EE. Go to a ME class and tell me EE is worse. Spoiled bastard. :lol

Actually, there are MANY companies out there who will hire students who are not it co-op. I know many people who have jobs this summer without going through the co-op program.

Check EVERY company's webpage and look for an employment opportunity for STUDENTS - you may be looking in the wrong section. During my own job hunt, I've noticed that in addition to the "Employment Opportunities" pages that most companies' websites have, there is also usally a "Students and Recent Graduates" page or something of that ilk. That is where you should be looking for a position. There are so many engineering companies out there that you may never even have heard of. Ask around. I'm sure Engineering Student Services in Kaiser can point you in the right direction if you're looking for prospective companies to apply to.

Get hook-ups. Any friends/family know someone who works for an engineering company? Does this person know who does the hiring? If so, ask if you can send that person a resume/cover letter. This way, your resume will end up on a desk and not be stuck doing loops in HR. Even better if your friend/relative is tight with the hiring manager and get's you an easy in ;) .

Network. There are so many job fairs on campus. Every E-Week there is a career fair, and there are other times when companies will just show up in Kaiser Atrium and set up their little booths. Occasionally external societies (APEG, etc.) will have career fairs or even just mixers. Talk to one of the reps and get a good rapport going. If you can portray yourself as a friendly person who is easy to work with and has a good grasp of communication skills (apparently companies these days really give a shit about APSC201?), you'll have a decent chance of getting a call. That is, if you give them a business card.

That isn't true. Companies are always seeking students and EITs. I've seen more listings for students than I've seen for engineers. Also, I have a friend whose girlfriend works as a mining engineer at a mine in northern BC. She only graduated last year and she is the second most experienced engineer there. And the engineer who is more experienced than her has only been in the workforce three years.

dunno any company websites.

I've been searching for an internship on those typical job search engines (ex. craiglist, jobsposting, etc.)

hm.. I hope it's not too late to get an internship. I'll drop by student services tomorrow.

thanks

Do what business students do. Do a little cold calling/emailing to other engineers. Someone with some seniority. Ask for an informational interview. One thing old people like to be is a mentor of some sort, so some will gladly help you out with learning what it's like to work in their industry etc. Google the rest.

you guys are doing something wrong if you can't find work.

are you willing to relocate?

http://www.apeg.bc.ca/services/emplo...jobseekers.php

Click on "Electrical" . Now, you won't be able to apply for the jobs here since they aren't student jobs, but you can get a good idea of which companies hire EEs e.g. Lavalin, AMEC, Cameco, etc.

^
:thumbsup:

interesting...


but too bad none of them is hiring students :cry:

^ Or Juniors. That's the problem. APEGBC only seems to list Intermediate and Senior positions. They're good if you are simply moving up, but useless for those of us trying jump fields.

I called APEGBC and asked where I could find some Junior positions, and they suggested CRAIGSLIST wtf!? Sometimes I wonder why I even bother paying membership dues. What a cash grab.

dude then you just havent looking :banghead: .... I said check out some of the companies on the list. Agrium, at least, has openings for students; I just checked their page out.

If you're willing to relocate it will be easy to get work up in Fort McMurray.

IDK whether you're more power engineering or electronics engineering, but I know for a fact that RIM takes tonnes of new graduates. As long as you're willing to relocate... but it's not so bad--move away for 2-3 years to get some experience, then come back.

Which engineering company is the hardest to get into in Canada?

Yeah I'm looking at that. Applying for jobs in AB/ON/PQ/WA right now, still with no luck. I'm okay with moving for a while. Most places I know are still laying off engineers though.. *sigh*

Depends on what you mean by "hard"? Generally there, are 3 types of jobs. a) the type you have relevant experience in, b) the type where you know someone who knows someone with hiring authority, and c) all other jobs.

Welcome to the real world buddy. That's exactly the problem. Those without relevant experience get punted to the bottom of the list. :(

Also, what are you complaining about.. EE is where all the hotties are! Try Mech. :cry:

i got my 1st EE job 2 years after i graduated. it was really hard b/c i had no connections and no work experience. all i can do is expand my skillset in other areas such as soft skills, office experience etc. and keep on applying.

once you have more skills it'll be easier. to get in to a new industry i'm afraid you'll have to find jr openings. connections such as friends/classmates keeping an eye out for openings at their companies help a lot. once you have some engineering experience i think it gets easier.

I know RIM indeed takes a lot of co-op students, but after a quick search on RIM's website it doesn't seem like they have a lot of new grad Engineering positions open.

What type of engineering jobs are you guys looking for?

^ Mechanical - can be design, construction, or manufacturing. Also open to Technical Sales or Purchasing. To be honest though I am quite open to any position that will advance my Engineering career. Because my experience is rather limited in scope, all I know for certain is what I do NOT like.

I basically pigeonholed myself after receiving misguided advice when I graduated, and am now paying the price big time. :cry:

Sounds like the market sucks. Believe me, if they ran out of 'relevant experienced' labor, they'd go to plan B.

You can:
- move to someplace with a better market to make your life easier
- move into something else where you have more leverage
- get what you can in a bigger, better run company and try to move once you're in

Eg. Would you be willing to do Mech testing @ RIM in Waterloo and then work your way up?

There's nothing wrong with horizontal moves. It's a pretty natural thing to do. The trick isn't always whether or not you're capable.. a lot of times it's: can you convince some stranger to give you the job. That's probably a hard thing to do for a lot of engineers.

I'll see if I can post some jobs up. Please let me know what the following you are interested in:

CAD Programming
Chemical Sciences Technology
Computer and Business Equipment Technician
Computer Systems and Network Fundamentals Computer Information Systems Tech
Controls Techician
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
Electronics Technician Common Core
HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanic
Industrial Instrumentation Service Technician
Industrial Maintenance or Millwright
Internet Systems Technician
Machinist or CNC or Tool and Die
Mechanical Engineering
Networking Systems Technician
Plastics Engineering Technology
Power Engineering or Power and Process
Robotics and Automation
Technology Teacher Education
Telecommunications Technician
Wireless Communication Technician