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580 Views 3 Replies Latest reply: Apr 9, 2013 1:33 AM by nannasin28 RSS
Mteo2188 Novice
Mteo2188
Currently Being Moderated

Apr 1, 2013 11:17 AM

What career advice do you have for up-and-coming Engineers/Student?

Career advice is always helpful, and given the state of the economy over the last few years, one can use as much of it as possible. What advice do you have for the next generation of engineers in terms of stating their careers on the right foot?

 

 

1.- Which Engineering degree is the most flexible for getting hired or bouncing around industries?

 

2.- What is the most accessible Industry for entry level Electrical + Electronic Engineers with little to no experience?

 

3.- Is it more beneficial to enter a Master's Program immediately after undergrad if one doesn't have a job lined up, or attempt to gain an internship?

 

4.- Is an Engineering Master's better recognized if the candidate already has a few years of experience under his/her belt?

  • MetMan Apprentice
    MetMan
    78 posts since
    Oct 24, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 1, 2013 3:24 PM (in response to Mteo2188)
    What career advice do you have for up-and-coming Engineers/Student?

    1. - I'd stick with one of the basic engineering programs:  Mechanical, Electrical, Civil etc.  depending on your interest.  I'd also go for the full BS of Engineering and avoid the engineering technology degrees.  They are easier but will keep you out of some jobs.

     

    2. - There are definitely a wide variety of jobs available to EE's right now, but you may have to move to where the jobs are.  A good general degree will allow you entry into a lot of different sectors of industry.

     

    3. - I'd HIGHLY recommend an internship or 2 WHILE you're getting your bachelor's; paid if possible, unpaid if necessary.  It'll be a better investment of time than any class you could take.  Getting out of school with not much hands-on experience is the biggest barrier to getting that first job.  I'd wait on getting a Master's as it usually just adds to the school loan pile, unless you can get very good scholarships and can't find any type of tech job.  If you get a job and end up needing a Master's to move up, it's pretty easy to get later nights/weekends.

     

    4. - ANY candidate is better recognized with a few years of experience under his/her belt.  Most companies will value a few years of experience over a Master's.

     

     

    Long story short, get a good broad Engineering Bachelors and try to get your foot in a door as early as you can.

     

    Good luck!

  • JimHarrison Novice
    JimHarrison
    64 posts since
    Sep 9, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 2, 2013 11:19 AM (in response to Mteo2188)
    What career advice do you have for up-and-coming Engineers/Student?

    1.- Which Engineering degree is the most flexible for getting hired or bouncing around industries?

    A pure EE degree is the best for future options and for immediate hire,  That said, an emphasis on real-time software and systems design is very desirable.

     

    I believe the industry selection is extremely important. Stop and think about what area you really have a lust for. Instrumentation, robotics, industrial control are all very similar – but doing that in the aircraft or the mining, factory automation, or the home appliance industry is a very different setting.

     

    2.- What is the most accessible Industry for entry level Electrical + Electronic Engineers with little to no experience?

    The most open field is software for the web – for anyone who knows software – but I would never go there. I say control systems (for any number of industry types) is the place to go. Besides, it’s the most fun.

     

    3.- Is it more beneficial to enter a Master's Program immediately after undergrad if one doesn't have a job lined up, or attempt to gain an internship?

    Get a part time internship well before bachelors degree graduation.

     

    4.- Is an Engineering Master's better recognized if the candidate already has a few years of experience under his/her belt?

    Yes of course. A masters is important for two very different areas _ Marketing and R&D

  • nannasin28 Novice
    nannasin28
    10 posts since
    Apr 9, 2013
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 9, 2013 1:33 AM (in response to Mteo2188)
    What career advice do you have for up-and-coming Engineers/Student?

    I'd wait on getting a Master's as it usually just adds to the school loan pile................

     

     

     

     

    --------------------------------------

     

    HQEW.net

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