Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
(OP)
Hello,
I just graduated in July 2009 as a Mechanical Engineer in Australia and have 6 months work internship experience within a large manufacturing company but I am looking to join a design consulting firm.
Recruiting season for most companies down here is from Feb/March until May/June every year so job prospects especially for graduates is pretty scarce at the moment.
After graduating I realise that the job scope of Mechanical Engineers are not as well defined as lets say Civil or Chemical Engineers who enjoy a much better job prospect especially down here in Australia.
I am looking for advice on how best to position myself for a job in an engineering consulting firm specialising in HVAC building services, Oil & Gas or Project advisory.
What would you suggest will be the best skills to acquire and master so that I will be of value and will be able to contribute immediately upon employment?
Thanks,
I just graduated in July 2009 as a Mechanical Engineer in Australia and have 6 months work internship experience within a large manufacturing company but I am looking to join a design consulting firm.
Recruiting season for most companies down here is from Feb/March until May/June every year so job prospects especially for graduates is pretty scarce at the moment.
After graduating I realise that the job scope of Mechanical Engineers are not as well defined as lets say Civil or Chemical Engineers who enjoy a much better job prospect especially down here in Australia.
I am looking for advice on how best to position myself for a job in an engineering consulting firm specialising in HVAC building services, Oil & Gas or Project advisory.
What would you suggest will be the best skills to acquire and master so that I will be of value and will be able to contribute immediately upon employment?
Thanks,





RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
Why consulting? The problem with consultants can be shared ignorance. Often consulting firms are euphemisms for contract work. Think about it, why would someone want to hire a new grad to obtain expertise? The material I see coming from consulting firms is, at best, OK. Yes, there's talent there, but will that talent inform you so that your career can grow?
Why not work for equipment or equipment system suppliers? Especially in Oil and Gas there must be many. Then with "real-world" experience, you can join a consultant later and have "street cred".
Just a thought.
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
If you really feel that consulting is where you will be happiest, try to find the initial jobs that make you travel or put you in the field - face to face with the customer. Get your name out there!
--Scott
http://wertel.eng.pro
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
Jake
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
I've just had to terminate work with another very smart and deeply experienced colleague because he could not read and understand our work scope and started doing much work that we would not get compensated for.
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
At the larger companies you get stuck on a rotation and learn very little. At consultancies there are some very smart people who are experts in their fields so you learn from the best. Generally they are smaller companies so you get to have much more experience over different areas. You get to perform more technical engineering work that generally you wont get even in design departments of larger companies.
Someone said they look to recruit people who are experts, which is true, especially if they are expanding into new areas, but they also take on graduates every year.
Some I know of don't advertise but have positions vacant on their website. This is because they want people who genuinely want to work in that field, are familiar with the company and its produce.
These companies all specialise, so narrow it down to what you want to do and give them a call. Learn CAD, all engineers should know how to use 3D modelling packages. At smaller companies you may spend some time drafting when they are busy, or it can come in handy when you don't have to log time with a drafting department just so you can proceed with your engineering work. Also most of them use FEA and CFD which is fully integrated with all major CAD packages. I spend a lot of time modelling for my FEA work and this gives me an edge over older engineers who cant use the programs.
Having a design background definitely game me the edge when I rang to see if a position was available. They weren't going to take anyone on but we spoke on the phone, got a call in for an interview and I started two days later.
All that said there are some good larger companies, like PB as someone mentioned, they have a very good PDP program. The only down side is you will have to wait till about march/april to apply. Have a look around though because some of the big companies do two intakes a year, or additional intakes when work picks up or they have too many people leave. You can always take a design job until they open for applicants and that will give you experience none of the other fresh grads have.
Small companies are always hiring though, I know some that can't find people, just give 'em a call.
Bit of a ramble but hope it helps ya.
RE: Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Need career advice and job hunting tips
Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
www.infotechpr.net