Career Advice Needed
Career Advice Needed
(OP)
Hey All,
I got my undergraduate degree last June(06) and currently getting my masters by taking night classes while working part-time at a very small engineering firm. I'm making 12/hr working about 30 hrs/wk with no benefits. I've learned a lot working under a PE for the past several months and have a feeling that I can learn a lot more in the next several months. To sum it up, I'm really enjoying the experience.
I have recently asked about full time opportunities(engineering pay with benefits) within the company, but has been told that they can't afford another full time, but would like me to continue as part time. I have thoughts about working there as a part time until I finish graduate school (which is about 2 years from now), but was wondering if that is the right thing to do.
Should I stick with it until graduation for the valuable experience? or look for a full time job somewhere else?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I got my undergraduate degree last June(06) and currently getting my masters by taking night classes while working part-time at a very small engineering firm. I'm making 12/hr working about 30 hrs/wk with no benefits. I've learned a lot working under a PE for the past several months and have a feeling that I can learn a lot more in the next several months. To sum it up, I'm really enjoying the experience.
I have recently asked about full time opportunities(engineering pay with benefits) within the company, but has been told that they can't afford another full time, but would like me to continue as part time. I have thoughts about working there as a part time until I finish graduate school (which is about 2 years from now), but was wondering if that is the right thing to do.
Should I stick with it until graduation for the valuable experience? or look for a full time job somewhere else?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!





RE: Career Advice Needed
If you can find a better paying job with benefits which would give you (what you perceive to be) equally good experience and still give you the time to study etc then you should probably go for it. Sounds like they may be using you as cheap labor.
However, if you're OK financially OK and really enjoying it you may be as well of staying. There's no guarantee you'll be as happy at a different place and job satisfaction is important.
Also 'job security' is an increasingly rare thing so don't assume full time + benefits means this.
Just my thoughts.
RE: Career Advice Needed
RE: Career Advice Needed
RE: Career Advice Needed
In your shoes, I'd go get another position somewhere else that deals with different kind of projects, you get to see different ways of doing things under different leadership, and you get more networking out of it, this is all training for you anyway, might as well get the most of it.
AND, pleeeease, don't worry about hurting the boss' feelings? as the mafia would say: "it's nothing personnal, it's strictly business".
Best.
RE: Career Advice Needed
RE: Career Advice Needed
I would say that the experience you will gain will be of value to you when you graduate with your Masters, but I would make sure that the two complement each other (Masters and exp.). There is no point having experience in a field that will not enhance your future job prospects.
If the rate you are getting (12$/hr) is worrying you, then talk to a recruitment agent and see what they think....
My 2 cents worth (on your rate, that's 6 seconds)
Kevin Hammond
Mechanical Design Engineer
Derbyshire, UK
RE: Career Advice Needed
RE: Career Advice Needed
You will have no problem getting work at decent pay with several years of experience with the same company and a Masters' degree. Enjoy your life.