gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 13:08:20 GMT -5
This has been one of the hardest processes I have been through. Our son graduated in August this year, and has been job hunting ever since. During this time, he has been studying for certification in his field and working out. He has lost 15 pounds and looks really good. He has been through the interview training offered by his university and I think that has helped. He has had many job interviews but no offers.
Now that we are near the end of the year, he has two job interviews this week, two next week and one after January 1. Please, please everyone send up good thoughts and vibes and positive energy for him.
I knew new graduates had a tough go finding a job, but this has been so hard on all of us. I am now feeling cautiously optimistic that with all this activity, surely something good will pop up for him. Every day I see job postings in his field, so I know opportunities are out there. It is hard to get your foot in the door right out of school though. Everyone wants someone with experience. I have been steering him toward new graduate positions and openings with 1-3 years experience.
It is time for him to find a job and gain some experience. Now is not exactly the time to worry about the size of the potential paycheck. The goal here is to learn and gain experience. So if it works out that his father and I have to continue helping him out here and there on occasion financially speaking, we are good with that. May main concern is that he start a job and gain some work experience. Our long term goal is for him to be financially self supporting.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Dec 22, 2015 13:13:31 GMT -5
What field is he trying to get into?
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Dec 22, 2015 13:18:51 GMT -5
Good luck to your son gacpa. Hope he gets a good job soon.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 13:22:14 GMT -5
Mechanical Engineering. His major concentration was computer aided design, he trained extensively with Solidworks software. He did several academic projects as well, the school tries to cross train with other engineering areas as well to give the students as well rounded program as possible. Going forward, anyone going into this field seriously needs to consider doing an internship or work co-op as part of their college experience. He did not do that, and it has hurt him. If I had realized how important it was, I would have made him. I did not know. The lack of an internship or co-op experience in his field is why he has not landed a job yet, in my opinion. If he had that on his resume, this would have been over with by now. His GPA is acceptable and he went to a decent school. I wish I had pushed harder for him to do an internship. So everyone learn from my mistake.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Dec 22, 2015 13:26:36 GMT -5
Is he only looking in your area or is he willing to travel anywhere in the USA? I am thinking Texas and CA would have a lot more openings for him.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Dec 22, 2015 13:41:51 GMT -5
GACPA my son is an industrial engineer and you're right, interning is the way to go. DS did an internship from his sophomore year on and they hired him out of school.
It isn't too late to start on as an intern. We had an engineering student working part time at my company and he graduated but was jobless. I forwarded his resume to my son, who forwarded it to his company's intern program, and they brought him in as an intern. (This company, a large one, uses the internship program to 'try out' new engineers; unless you've already worked for 5 - 10 years as an engineer for someone else, they won't hire you right out of college, but the fact that this guy had graduated college already did not prevent him from being an intern). And being an intern (at least for this company) wasn't bad, financially. They provided housing and a good salary during the internship, and if you were decent at all, they hired you afterwards.
Also you might want to coach your son with mock interviews, either with yourself or with other friends and family. When I first got out of school years ago, I had a fantastic GPA but zero self confidence. I think back on my first interviews and actually cringe. I must have come across as either very naïve or foolish but I was just ignorant of the special language used during interviews. Your son may not be lacking in self esteem, but possibly he has another unprofessional aspect he's presenting during the interview process that's being viewed as problematic by the interviewer.
I ended up getting a copy of What Color is your Parachute, which helped enormously to prepare for interviews and to sharpen my resume. After nine months of unemployment, I got the next job I interviewed for. All it took was for me to figure out what I was doing wrong in the interview to correct it and get hired.
Good luck to him, it's a tough job market and I know how discouraging it can be to be unemployed.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Dec 22, 2015 14:10:26 GMT -5
gacpa - Good luck to your son! The first real job is always the hardest to get.
As you mention, internships are great, but they are not always available. Since I think I recall what school your son went to, it may be a bit harder to get internships/first job. You just have to keep trying.
My older son (DS23) went to a decent school in GA, not the top level but pretty good. He majored in finance/accounting with a goal to be an actuary. Despite his efforts, he was not able to get internships (not even interviews) since he school was not recognized as top level in his field. He had awesome grades, and even got an award as the top student in Economics for his school. He had 2 actuary exams passed at his graduation and he had 1 interview prior to graduation. THANKFULLY he got the job, has been there 1 year in January and already got his first promotion.
Younger son (DS21) is now at the top level school for business in GA (not the Engineering school, that one is my alma mater!). He seems to have made a lot more connections and have opportunities for internships there, but he doesn't have one yet for summer (his last summer before graduation).
Have confidence that your son will find his way to a good job and be self-supporting. It is not an easy step to get to and some kids take a little longer than others. DD24 just got her first good job this past August after graduating college 3 years ago. It took her a bit to find her way, and I had to make a few student loans during that time (hopefully no more though!). DS23 has the good job and has been self supporting for 1 year. DS21 has a year and a half of school left and I am counting the days!
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 22, 2015 14:48:17 GMT -5
Mechanical Engineering. His major concentration was computer aided design, he trained extensively with Solidworks software. He did several academic projects as well, the school tries to cross train with other engineering areas as well to give the students as well rounded program as possible. Going forward, anyone going into this field seriously needs to consider doing an internship or work co-op as part of their college experience. He did not do that, and it has hurt him. If I had realized how important it was, I would have made him. I did not know. The lack of an internship or co-op experience in his field is why he has not landed a job yet, in my opinion. If he had that on his resume, this would have been over with by now. His GPA is acceptable and he went to a decent school. I wish I had pushed harder for him to do an internship. So everyone learn from my mistake. He is a mechanical engineer looking at a profession that is mostly done by engineering techs. If I had to hazard a guess, this is his problem. So far, I have had 2 years of SolidWorks, along with AutoCAD, Catia and Inventor, so he is competing with those out of a technical program. Engineers do the engineering, drafters are paid to draw the engineer's designs. And yes, internships are important.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Dec 22, 2015 14:51:29 GMT -5
How does the school not push for internships? I don't understand that.
That said, if he has good CAD skills, a small consulting firm is going to be able to really capitalize on that and that is where he can show productivity immediately. If he goes the consulting route, has he taken the FE exam? It isn't as important in industry, but consulting requires it.
Best of luck to your son. Did he do any work during college? Did he work for a professor at an time?
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 14:53:15 GMT -5
You are right, saveinla. I also see lots of jobs in CA and TX. He says he does not want to go to CA. And this is after a CA company contacted him after seeing his resume on Monster.com. They really wanted to talk to him. My sister lives in TX. If something does not pop soon for him, he may have to consider these locations more seriously. His college roommate who majored in computer science, could not find a job in GA either. He just started a good job at a large company in Phoenix, of all places. Very happy for him.
Happyhoix, he has done online interviewing and mock interviewing with the university he graduated from and I think it has helped him tremendously. They also helped him re-work his resume, which has resulted in all these recent phone calls and interviews. I cannot thank them enough for their assistance. They surprised me with their dedication to go the extra mile with their graduates. I guess they have to, competition for students in metro ATL is very fierce I expect. They have guided him as to how to present himself during an interview. We are all a bunch of big introverts at my house, and self confidence is definitely an issue with all of us. He has been reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People" also. I am trying to get him to use this time productively.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Dec 22, 2015 15:03:26 GMT -5
Mechanical Engineering. His major concentration was computer aided design, he trained extensively with Solidworks software. He did several academic projects as well, the school tries to cross train with other engineering areas as well to give the students as well rounded program as possible. Going forward, anyone going into this field seriously needs to consider doing an internship or work co-op as part of their college experience. He did not do that, and it has hurt him. If I had realized how important it was, I would have made him. I did not know. The lack of an internship or co-op experience in his field is why he has not landed a job yet, in my opinion. If he had that on his resume, this would have been over with by now. His GPA is acceptable and he went to a decent school. I wish I had pushed harder for him to do an internship. So everyone learn from my mistake. He is a mechanical engineer looking at a profession that is mostly done by engineering techs. If I had to hazard a guess, this is his problem. So far, I have had 2 years of SolidWorks, along with AutoCAD, Catia and Inventor, so he is competing with those out of a technical program. Engineers do the engineering, drafters are paid to draw the engineer's designs. And yes, internships are important. If he looks at smaller firms that may not have full time drafters, he might have better luck. He could show he can provide value to the company without having any experience.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 15:03:41 GMT -5
Mutt,
He did sit for the FE exam and almost passed it. He came close, and I would be willing to pay for it if he were willing to put in the study time to take it again. Now that he knows what he is dealing with, he could pass it with a little more effort on his part. Let us say he has some growing up to do. And I do think he is finally coming around to realizing the real world is not like school.
The school does push for internships, and many of his friends did internships and got jobs right after graduating. My son did not apply himself to that end even though he had to have seen he should have and so it is his fault and my fault for not making him do one. He is using his professors as references on his resume with their permission. I did not push for an internship because he was already fussing about school and how hard it was. He even wanted to quit, but I cancelled his credit card and drained his bank account of all his cash. I told him I would take away the old car he was driving. I told him he was staying. He was already over halfway done with a GPA of over 3.0. I don't remember the exact GPA, but he kept the GA HOPE scholarship until he graduated. I got mean about it really fast, the only time I have gotten rough with him. He stayed and finished.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 15:05:40 GMT -5
Mutt,
Yes, we are doing this. He has interviews for drafting positions with firms and companies needing 3d modeling software experience of 1-3 years. I am not concerned about pay right now. I want him to find a place where he can gain experience and some traction for his future.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 22, 2015 15:08:43 GMT -5
Has he passed the SolidWorks certification exams? There are 2 parts and they are strongly recommended by the program I'm in.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Dec 22, 2015 15:09:16 GMT -5
gacpa,
Tell him to at least talk to the recruiter from CA. There are so many opportunities in manufacturing here and if he gets a job then he can decide if he wants it or not.
Just getting a job and some experience right now is much more important than staying home. Try to talk to him and see what he is afraid of. He can always stay for a year or two and then move back. Good luck to your son and tell him not to be afraid to spread his wings - this is an exciting time in his life and he should be happy to leave home and gain some real world experience.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Dec 22, 2015 15:20:34 GMT -5
Mutt, He did sit for the FE exam and almost passed it. He came close, and I would be willing to pay for it if he were willing to put in the study time to take it again. Now that he knows what he is dealing with, he could pass it with a little more effort on his part. Let us say he has some growing up to do. And I do think he is finally coming around to realizing the real world is not like school. The school does push for internships, and many of his friends did internships and got jobs right after graduating. My son did not apply himself to that end even though he had to have seen he should have and so it is his fault and my fault for not making him do one. He is using his professors as references on his resume with their permission. I did not push for an internship because he was already fussing about school and how hard it was. He even wanted to quit, but I cancelled his credit card and drained his bank account of all his cash. I told him I would take away the old car he was driving. I told him he was staying. He was already over halfway done with a GPA of over 3.0. I don't remember the exact GPA, but he kept the GA HOPE scholarship until he graduated. I got mean about it really fast, the only time I have gotten rough with him. He stayed and finished. Does he even want to be an engineer? Most of my classmates when we got over halfway done, it was exciting. We were out of the stuff that didn't apply and into things that really interested us. It has been a while now (11+ years since graduation), but most everyone if they felt they had to push through it was earlier on or they left and went somewhere else. Over halfway through, there were well paying internships, jobs on the horizon, and the end of living in Rolla, Missouri (which was motivation enough to want to get done, but I digress).
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 15:26:40 GMT -5
He spent this fall studying for the FE exam. Now he wants to get the Solidworks certifications, most definitely. I do think he needs to do this. I think he should have done the Solidworks certifications first, but I am trying to let him make decisions for himself whenever possible.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 15:29:14 GMT -5
Mutt,
I think he does want to be an engineer. At least, I know he really enjoys Solidworks and wants to work with it.
Rolla is an excellent school by the way. I am from Missouri and I know that is a top notch school.
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emma1420
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Post by emma1420 on Dec 22, 2015 15:40:49 GMT -5
Now is the time that I would suggest he find any job, even if it's a part-time retail job. I know several people who worked crappy jobs completely unrelated to their career path for a couple years until they found a job in their field. And if nothing else, if he's working some crappy job that he hates then he might be more inclined to move.
Bottom line he was an idiot for not doing an internship. Even I did an internship in college for a non-stem major almost 20 years ago. Not doing one in 2015 is just laziness. I would encourage you to let go at this point. You have done more than many parents in helping him through college. He's an adult now, and finding a job and supporting himself is on him.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 22, 2015 15:53:35 GMT -5
What other 3 D programs does he know? For instance, I know Boeing is moving heavily into Catia, and since they are a major employer from my program, the director is trying to make sure that we are getting experience in it. While once you learn the premise to the program, there IS a learning curve for each one and knowing at least the basics is invaluable, so if he can pick up more programs, the better.
The first part of the certification exam for SolidWorks is normally done after the first year. I'll likely be taking it in the next few months. The second is usually after employment for 6 months in the field.
TD just woke up and I asked him if any of the engineers did any drafting. In his firm of about 180 (not all engineers), he said only one did any drafting himself. The rest if the engineers just redlined the P&IDs and sent them off to the drafters.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 15:55:01 GMT -5
I have done this also. I told him he was going to have to get a job at Walmart, Kroger, Petsmart, etc. just to get himself out of the house and around people and be productive. He does not just get to sit around the house and do nothing. Not an option. You are right.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Dec 22, 2015 16:00:58 GMT -5
I think I would seriously consider going for a masters, but he has to intern during the summer of the program. Not ideal, but at this point I'd want it as a backup.
Who was the other poster whose son got an engineering degree and didn't intern? Was it Lynnherself? I don't remember how that ended.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 16:07:26 GMT -5
Mich,
Catia is a software program produced by the same company that produces Solidworks. It is a higher level of software, more intricate and more difficult to learn. On the other hand, it is used because it is more versatile and yields better results for the work at hand in Boeing's case. My son did interview with a aircraft manufacturing firm that used Catia. They did not offer this class at his school. He did express an interest in learning it.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 16:12:48 GMT -5
I agree with this assessment. I have had him applying to drafting jobs locally that require a technical degree, hoping someone would hire him and he could get experience. It would also give him some self confidence to compete down the road for better jobs if he wanted to do that.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 22, 2015 16:18:27 GMT -5
Yes, I know as I have it on my computer at home (along with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor and AutoCAD Plant) and work with it.
My point is that while knowing SolidWorks well is good, he needs the flexibility to flip from program to program, whatever the industry that he is interested in requires. From what I have seen and heard from those getting drafting jobs, the employers like that those who have at least some knowledge in several programs.
Rather than your son go for a MS, it might make sense for him to check out some technical colleges and take a few classes here, since this is the direction he wants to go in. The technical college may have other resources that he can use, if only to pick up some classes in places where he has holes in a drafting program since he seems more interested in drafting than engineering.
It also may give him a resource to get an internship to get experience.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 16:49:29 GMT -5
You are right. There are a couple of really good technical colleges nearby. I told him I would send him to get the certifications in drafting he wanted if he wanted to go to one of them. He did say he wanted to learn Catia. I don't know if those schools teach it though. We could find out easily. We have talked about this option.
I don't think a masters degree without some sort of job experience is the way to go either. That seems a waste of time and money.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 22, 2015 16:52:02 GMT -5
I want to thank everyone for your advice and input. I do feel better about what I have been thinking and trying to guide him. All of you have expressed thoughts and ideas that have crossed my mind as well. Good to know I am not completely off base.
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suesinfl
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Post by suesinfl on Dec 22, 2015 20:31:08 GMT -5
Hopefully your son will find something soon. I listened to a program on NPR today that has followed certain college students for the last four years or so and the two that are graduating this summer are very discouraged at their prospects. The reason being is that most entry level jobs are looking for 1-3 years experience. The students were upset because they are willing to move and take these entry level jobs to gain the experience, but were not even being considered for the jobs because they did not have the experience.
They never said if they had any internships. But my thought if the STEM degrees that they were receiving, the programs that they were in should have made that mandatory, but what do I know.
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spartan7886
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Post by spartan7886 on Dec 22, 2015 21:44:48 GMT -5
gacpa My brother graduated with a BSME from VT in Spring 2013 without having had any W-2 experience - internship or even McJob. It took him until January 2014, but he did find a job in his field. They're slightly underpaying him for the field, but still a decent salary in general. There is hope
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 23, 2015 0:53:04 GMT -5
My son did mention to me that one day the internships will become mandatory to receive the degree. I am all for it, at least you will know up front what path you need to follow. I really blew it on this one.
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