Requesting some much needed input and guidance
Requesting some much needed input and guidance
(OP)
Hello,
The basic gist of my issue is that I am not in the engineering field I want to be in, and I'm not sure how to get there (because apparently applying to the jobs I want isn't the way).
My background: graduated in '11 with BSME (with average grades from an average school). Started working on my private pilot's license my senior year. Then, I enlisted in the Navy as a reactor operator (the short version of my reason for enlisting is that it wasn't for career reasons, just wanted to serve. Well intentioned, but very misguided, and now I am where I am). While in the Navy I started going to grad school for a M.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering (super love it). When I was getting out of the Navy, I applied to every aerospace/aircraft/airline company I could find (seriously, probably 50, maybe more). I got rejection letters from maybe 3, never heard from the rest. Ended up getting a pretty solid position doing R&D at medical device company. I like the company and the people, and the work is alright, but not the industry I want to end up in at all. I am currently still chipping away at grad school.
Now I definitely don't think I am a genius engineer that's not getting his due; my grades say "average" (doing extremely well in grad school, but even in the interview for my current company, they only focused on my completed education). However, I am confused as to why I didn't even get to the interview phase with an entire industry, so if anyone can shed some light on that it would be greatly appreciated. My first thought is that my resume is the culprit, but I've run it by a lot of people and they give me positive feedback about it (I can post it here if someone thinks that'll help). My next thought was that I lacked experience, which makes sense. So I had expanded the positions I applied to to include entry level engineering positions, and still not even a phone call.
The other issue I'm having that I would genuinely appreciate some input on is what steps do I take to get into the aerospace industry and when? I'm already working on a relevant master's, but is there anything not obvious that would help me get a foot in the door somewhere? Also, I ask when I should do this, because I started at this medical device company last October, and while its out of industry, it is R&D and I've got a somewhat senior position, so I wonder if its worth it to stay here to gain experience and knowledge about R&D, or if its too unrelated and I should just start applying to aerospace jobs now.
Thank you so much if you're still reading this far, and thank you very much for any input. Everything is appreciated.
Cheers!
EDIT:
Some notes I think I should add:
•my dream job is something like a flight test engineer for Lockheed or Northrop Grumman
•due to my military background, I get inundated with calls from post-military placement recruiters that don't actually read my resume, and try to get me into positions like assembly line worker or law enforcement (both good jobs, but not where I want to go), and I'm worried that my education (which is what I do want to do) is getting overshadowed. so should I take my military service off my resume (or limit it to just 1-2 lines)?
The basic gist of my issue is that I am not in the engineering field I want to be in, and I'm not sure how to get there (because apparently applying to the jobs I want isn't the way).
My background: graduated in '11 with BSME (with average grades from an average school). Started working on my private pilot's license my senior year. Then, I enlisted in the Navy as a reactor operator (the short version of my reason for enlisting is that it wasn't for career reasons, just wanted to serve. Well intentioned, but very misguided, and now I am where I am). While in the Navy I started going to grad school for a M.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering (super love it). When I was getting out of the Navy, I applied to every aerospace/aircraft/airline company I could find (seriously, probably 50, maybe more). I got rejection letters from maybe 3, never heard from the rest. Ended up getting a pretty solid position doing R&D at medical device company. I like the company and the people, and the work is alright, but not the industry I want to end up in at all. I am currently still chipping away at grad school.
Now I definitely don't think I am a genius engineer that's not getting his due; my grades say "average" (doing extremely well in grad school, but even in the interview for my current company, they only focused on my completed education). However, I am confused as to why I didn't even get to the interview phase with an entire industry, so if anyone can shed some light on that it would be greatly appreciated. My first thought is that my resume is the culprit, but I've run it by a lot of people and they give me positive feedback about it (I can post it here if someone thinks that'll help). My next thought was that I lacked experience, which makes sense. So I had expanded the positions I applied to to include entry level engineering positions, and still not even a phone call.
The other issue I'm having that I would genuinely appreciate some input on is what steps do I take to get into the aerospace industry and when? I'm already working on a relevant master's, but is there anything not obvious that would help me get a foot in the door somewhere? Also, I ask when I should do this, because I started at this medical device company last October, and while its out of industry, it is R&D and I've got a somewhat senior position, so I wonder if its worth it to stay here to gain experience and knowledge about R&D, or if its too unrelated and I should just start applying to aerospace jobs now.
Thank you so much if you're still reading this far, and thank you very much for any input. Everything is appreciated.
Cheers!
EDIT:
Some notes I think I should add:
•my dream job is something like a flight test engineer for Lockheed or Northrop Grumman
•due to my military background, I get inundated with calls from post-military placement recruiters that don't actually read my resume, and try to get me into positions like assembly line worker or law enforcement (both good jobs, but not where I want to go), and I'm worried that my education (which is what I do want to do) is getting overshadowed. so should I take my military service off my resume (or limit it to just 1-2 lines)?





RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
You need to steer discussions about grades. "Yeah, my undergrad grades weren't great. Then I joined the Navy and grew up, learned discipline and responsibility that has paid off with my graduate studies because my grades now are great."
Use Navy contacts. There are Navy vets in every company that you want to work for. You need to find them.
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
Thanks for the quick post! The problem is I don't even get far enough to have a discussion. I apply and send an email with resume and cover letter, try to follow up with an email or phone call after a week or so and I never hear back. The furthest I ever got was talking to reception. How do I get further than that?
As far as Navy contacts, about 95% of the people I worked with that got out went to work at a civilian power plant as a technician or floor supervisor, so I'm not sure they'd have an "in" with the companies I'm looking at.
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
The money comes from the Guvvamint, and the political will to do Aerospace stuff waxes and wanes.
Another problem with Aerospace is there are, on average, twice as many Aerospace engineers as there are jobs for them. So you are competing with guys with direct applicable experience, who can be up to speed immediately. The big aerospace contractors compete with each other only on the ways they can hire from that big pool at minimum cost, and as soon as the current contract is complete, pretty much everybody gets tossed back into the pool, through no fault of their own.
The medical device business is, for now at least, not quite so dependent on Guvvamint money, though there is a substantial amount of oversight.
I agree about networking with your Navy buddies; you will never get in the front door.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
Since your own efforts are not succeeding and Navy contacts are in the wrong field, this is likely your best chance. Take heed of Cowtree's advice, but what you want can be done.
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RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
I used to count sand. Now I don't count at all.
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
You may need to start REALLY small; looking for micro-UAV developers, and possibly volunteering with student UAV developments, etc.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
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RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
I spent an hour or so with an ex navy HR person, who now works at the local EDD office, learning how to apply for govt jobs on USA Jobs website. She gave me a bunch of tips for getting through/around the various filters. As much as I hate to say it, from what she said to some extent it can come down to literally just cutting and pasting the job add into your 'resume' and doing minimal tweaking to customize it to match your actual experience. If you hit enough of the keywords your application will at least get looked at by a human. She also recommended doing whatever you can to find contact details for managers etc. and sending your resume direct etc.
If you still have a clearance there are some jobs where allegedly any warm body meeting minimal requirements with an existing (or recent) clearance is far more likely to get the job than a far more qualified person without said clearance.
However, good luck 'cause since I've moved to the states I haven't had much success getting into the field despite working in it in the UK.
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RE: Requesting some much needed input and guidance
I would prefer to spend the rest of my career in the automotive realm but have worked in aerospace (both aircraft and armament) and havent found it overly difficult to land a job in so dont lose hope, its actually been my backup on several occasions when automotive work slows. Most aerospace companies are rather bloated with personnel and hire tons of temp/contract personnel on top of those, plenty of opportunity if youre willing to settle for a spec, safety, project, or other non-design role but the bureaucracy is ridiculous. If the big boys turn you down I would inquire with the temp/contract agencies.