Fresh M.S. in Computer Engineering Graduate going nowhere . . . - Page 2

OUTATIME · 10-27-2009, 12:40 PM

Wow, how far things have moved since then. I'd like to thank everyone for their advice and it has really helped me, especially in the last few weeks - I've had 4 interviews, plus 2 more scheduled for next week.

And, as I sit here writing this, I'm nervously shaking in my sweatpants waiting for a phone interview (this would be the 3rd with this company) that should start in about 20 minutes.

UCF w00t · 10-27-2009, 02:06 PM

Congrats man and good luck! I started off as Computer Engineering but switched to Engineering Technology - Computer systems. I work in IT (systems design/sustaining) now. I graduated in '08 and very glad I did and very glad I had a job already (continued with my internship basically).

2001ragtop · 10-27-2009, 02:10 PM

Good luck. Just KEEP DOING WHATEVER you are doing and just wait. DON'T Worry everyone fits in some-place. Hang in there. BE POLITE AS POSSIBLE AND DO NOT ACT LIKE SOMEONE WHO acts ENTITLED. be HUMBLE and super polite. ACT LIKE A TEAM PLAYER EVEN IF YOU KNOW YOU AREN'T. and become a team player after they hire you. don't be argumentative no matter what you do !!

THE MAIN REASON ANYONE GETS HIRED IS THEY LOOK AT YOU AND THINK YOU WILL FIT "SOCIALLY" WITH THE GROUP (no matter how smart you are). DONT GET COCKY either. act laid back like nothing can bother you. thats just my advise. act like u are NOT that serious and that you are FUN TO BE AROUND. THIS HELPS A LOT TRUST ME. (DO act serious if it is related to your work, or your knowledge of engineering, etc., but dont act like that socially. i am sure you know that)

*GTAHVIT* · 10-27-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croathlete

If you were still in NJ I would tell you to check out some of the defense contractors (ITT, BAE Systems, etc), but not too sure about out in CA.

Agreed I'd look at defense contractors for sure. it's usually work that is guaranteed for at least a year and a great way to build your working resume.

Or you can try to get on with the federal government... GS postitions are listed at usajobs

Good luck.

Angrybird 12 · 10-27-2009, 02:23 PM

I wish you good luck. right now it is very competitive out there. Believe me, I have been looking now for over 6 months. I have Electrical engineering experience (18 years) including Cadd experience. I was also a Elecrtrician for 15 years.. But I am 55 years old. Companies are looking for young guys like you. Like others have said you could work in the electrical engineering field. The company I worked for uses DCS and PLC's to do most of their controls, and operations, and a good PLC and DCS programmer would go along way...
If you have any skills or training in those areas seek out those type jobs.

NoUCantDriveIt · 10-27-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OUTATIME

Wow, how far things have moved since then. I'd like to thank everyone for their advice and it has really helped me, especially in the last few weeks - I've had 4 interviews, plus 2 more scheduled for next week.

And, as I sit here writing this, I'm nervously shaking in my sweatpants waiting for a phone interview (this would be the 3rd with this company) that should start in about 20 minutes.

whoo-hooo! Way ta go Outatime!

I used to get freaked out nervous about interviews until I started thinking of them as simply a chance to speak with someone about something I'm already interested in. Once I was able to relax, have fun, and let my personality come thru I started getting job offers. Like somone else has said, the more you interview, the more you will be able to 'read' what the interviewer is looking for. Won't be long until there's a paycheck with your name on it!

Thanks for updating the thread and letting us know how you're doing out there

UCF w00t · 10-27-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoUCantDriveIt

whoo-hooo! Way ta go Outatime!

I used to get freaked out nervous about interviews until I started thinking of them as simply a chance to speak with someone about something I'm already interested in. Once I was able to relax, have fun, and let my personality come thru I started getting job offers. Like somone else has said, the more you interview, the more you will be able to 'read' what the interviewer is looking for. Won't be long until there's a paycheck with your name on it!

Thanks for updating the thread and letting us know how you're doing out there

In addition to that, hiring people sucks. They want you to be "the one" just as much (maybe more) than you want that job.

NoUCantDriveIt · 10-27-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCF w00t

In addition to that, hiring people sucks. They want you to be "the one" just as much (maybe more) than you want that job.

How true!!
The person doing the interviews already has a full schedule and time spent interviewing applicants is time away from taking care of other issues that need attention. Not to mention being short on staff doesn't play well with deadlines... co-ordinating projects between teams ...etc.. The sooner they can say "Do you want the job" (before getting hit with a hiring freeze from HR) the better.

10-27-2009, 02:23 PM	#19
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,546	Good Luck I wish you good luck. right now it is very competitive out there. Believe me, I have been looking now for over 6 months. I have Electrical engineering experience (18 years) including Cadd experience. I was also a Elecrtrician for 15 years.. But I am 55 years old. Companies are looking for young guys like you. Like others have said you could work in the electrical engineering field. The company I worked for uses DCS and PLC's to do most of their controls, and operations, and a good PLC and DCS programmer would go along way... If you have any skills or training in those areas seek out those type jobs. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

10-27-2009, 12:40 PM	#15
OUTATIME Drives: 2010 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 633	Wow, how far things have moved since then. I'd like to thank everyone for their advice and it has really helped me, especially in the last few weeks - I've had 4 interviews, plus 2 more scheduled for next week. And, as I sit here writing this, I'm nervously shaking in my sweatpants waiting for a phone interview (this would be the 3rd with this company) that should start in about 20 minutes.

10-27-2009, 02:06 PM	#16
UCF w00t Geek Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando Posts: 4,451	Congrats man and good luck! I started off as Computer Engineering but switched to Engineering Technology - Computer systems. I work in IT (systems design/sustaining) now. I graduated in '08 and very glad I did and very glad I had a job already (continued with my internship basically).

10-27-2009, 02:10 PM	#17
2001ragtop Drives: V8 american car Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,417	Good luck. Just KEEP DOING WHATEVER you are doing and just wait. DON'T Worry everyone fits in some-place. Hang in there. BE POLITE AS POSSIBLE AND DO NOT ACT LIKE SOMEONE WHO acts ENTITLED. be HUMBLE and super polite. ACT LIKE A TEAM PLAYER EVEN IF YOU KNOW YOU AREN'T. and become a team player after they hire you. don't be argumentative no matter what you do !! THE MAIN REASON ANYONE GETS HIRED IS THEY LOOK AT YOU AND THINK YOU WILL FIT "SOCIALLY" WITH THE GROUP (no matter how smart you are). DONT GET COCKY either. act laid back like nothing can bother you. thats just my advise. act like u are NOT that serious and that you are FUN TO BE AROUND. THIS HELPS A LOT TRUST ME. (DO act serious if it is related to your work, or your knowledge of engineering, etc., but dont act like that socially. i am sure you know that)