Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
(OP)
I graduated with my Bachelor in Civil Engineering in May 2008 and received my EIT certification. I have been out of school for almost 2 years and unable to find a job.
The economic climate being as it is, I'm realizing that finding a job is going to be a long and difficult process. I'm considering jobs related to civil engineering but not actually engineering. Possibly something in construction or another field related to civil engineering.
What would be some jobs that I could look for that would give me experience and knowledge for a future civil engineering position?
Thanks for the responses.
David Graff





RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
I've had a few colleauges that have down this and have become excellent engineers.
Keep your options open, there is always a job out there if you look hard enough and are willing to relocate.
Hope this helps.
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
I feel your pain though. I should have stayed with the first company and probably would still be employed. I was re-laid off in Feb. and nobody is hiring for civl engineers now other than structural. I've applied for a construction inspection position here locally just to try and stay near my field and hopefully get a chance to learn some more.
If you want better job security I think I would be applying for government positions. It appears the consulting industry is running out of work.
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
Where are you located?
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
My emphasis in school was in structural engineering, but unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to get an internship while there, so I have very little experience in the engineering field. I have technical experience with electronics and cameras, but nothing that directly relates to my field.
Thank you for all your suggestions. I certainly appreciate it!
David
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
I wouldn't worry about your lack of intern experience. I would apply for every entry level structural engineering position I could find. If your location is flexible, you'll find something.
Also, how about your college placement office? They should feel some obligation to help you. And if they don't, visit some large Universities that have placement departments. Ther's one in Urbana that comes to mind. In the old, old days they used to post companies that were interviewing on bulletin boards. Contact these companies directly.
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
If you move up to Chicago, you will surely be able to find a position.
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
I know how it is, I got out of school last May and I was lucky to find a job. I started looking during the previous November so all in all I spent about 7 months, joined every job search I could find, and sent out over 200 resumes. Below are some ideas that I tried that might help you:
1. Job searches of course like Indeed.com and Monster
2. Go to goole maps and pick an area, do the search-nearby option and type in key words like engineering and survey, then cold-call all of those places or email your resume
3. Call your old professors and see if they know of anything or if the college is hiring as a engineering teaching assistant or researcher
4. Do the same for every college around even if you didnt go there
5. Pick a location and see what newspapers in the area have websites, then search the newspapers classifieds online
6. Visit every city, county, and state website and see if there are any jobs listed, a lot of times municipalities will list on their website but not on job searches or classifieds
7. Army Corps of Engineers?
8. There is a federal job site, I cant remember what it is called but if you search around I'm sure you can find it and it might have some listings
9. U.S. Patent office might be hiring civils
10. If you got really desperate I know some people who have either gone back to school or tried several side jobs at once working from home cutting surveyor stakes and offering to do professional autocad drawings
Hopefully some of this will help, if I can think of anything else I will send it in
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
David Graff
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
Being an engineer, you should have some decent computer skills.
Therefore, I would suggest that you can always use your background and computer skills in getting some kind of an analyst and/or analytical position. You could do logistics work too ...
In my opinion, having an engineering background and being good at computers should always get you some kind of a job no matter how the economy is doing ...
Good luck!
Gordan
http://www.engineering-4e.com
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
What kind of specific computer skills are talking about? I am fairly handy with a computer, but they only go so far.
What kind of skills would be needed to be a competitive candidate in an analytical field?
David
RE: Alternative jobs for an entry-level EIT
Working with MS Office applications and ORACLE (SQL), databases in general.
Being an engineer, one should be familiar with basic programming -- such skills are precious and can be easily expanded.
In my opinion, computer based skills are in demand today and a technical background is a big plus -- it comes down to combining the acquired skills and experience ...
Even though "engineering" jobs cannot be found quickly, there are other jobs that people with an engineering degree can be good at ...
It is about getting a pay check and moving forward ...
Thanks,
Gordan
http://www.engineering-4e.com