Is having a criminal history an issue?

[najanaja]

Hello, I am a freshman working towards a BS in civil. I am really focused and excited about my studies. My problem is four years ago I got drunk and ended up in an old shut down warehouse with a couple friends. Somebody called the police, and I ended up being convicted of burglary and criminal mischief (both felonies). Its the first and only time I've ever done anything like that. Will this affect me getting a job? I know I cant get security clearance, and probably not get into Canada. Any input would be more that appreciated.

 

[indme]

I also recommend getting it expunged. I've given a character witness to authorities for a reprieve, on behalf of a fellow engineer, despite the fact that I consider his crime highly offensive to me. I have a clean record and nothing in common, but don't think it should continue to keep him from continuing in life and trying to do the right thing, due to the stigma.

We are engineers and are paid to deal in objective matters. Our subjective and sometimes irrational conduct in our personal lives has no bearing on our performance in our work, and should not be considered by employers. That said, some of the most upstanding, church-going, upstanding engineers that I know are dogs once you get to know them. And they have no record. I trust the criminals more, because they are a known quantitity.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

We are engineers and are paid to deal in objective matters. Our subjective and sometimes irrational conduct in our personal lives has no bearing on our performance in our work, and should not be considered by employers.

I strongly disagree... irrational conduct in someone's personal life cannot be completely removed from our business lives. We're human, some crossover is to be expected. What about that whackjob astronaut from NASA who drove for a day and a half straight (using Depends adult diapers so she wouldn't have to stop for bathroom break) to kill her lover's other lover? Would you want that unstable bit working on your shuttle?

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[MiketheEngineer]

BTW - I am licensed in 42 states - not bragging - only asked twice to show proof when I went to get my rubber engineering seal!!

 

[KENAT]

Given some of the drug dealing wife beaters that manage to get clearances to work on the Navy Research base where I live, then I'd say it wont by itself stop you getting a clearance though it may make it more difficult.

I know someone in another profession that got caught up with a bad boyfriend in her early 20's Anyway, when he got busted for stealing some appliances & managed to plead down his punishment by blaming her (She's like 5'4" and may have been about 100lbs soaking wet at the time so the idea of her walking off with a full size refrigerator is pretty silly). So the ever just/competent Bakersfield Police/DA locked her up for nearly the full 24 hours with no rest etc. then managed to persuade her to confess as 'for a first offense there would be no jail time'. Well I guess the judge didn't agree, she got something like a month + and then a bunch of probation and had to pay for the home monitoring.

Anyway, most of her jobs have required a background check as she often works around kids and with the exception of one temp gig with the census folks it was never an issue.

Not sure how directly relevant this is as she's no engineer but hopefully it gives you some hope and at least in your case you actually got the fun of doing the chrime you are now paying for!

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