Entry Level Mechanical Engineer

Hello. My name is Jonathan Edwards. I recently graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and am finding it difficult to find a job in the field. Is anybody actively hiring because I can only find companies that are accepting resumes but not currently hiring at the time. I am more than willing to relocate anywhere.

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering, 3 years of quality control experience, 2 certifcations, and I am in the same boat... no companys are hiring and the ones who claim to be sure arent interested in me. I have applied to over 200 jobs I am qualified for in the last 3 months, and not one single interview.

so its not just entry level engineers with this problem...

Getting an MSME might not be a bad idea if mechanical engineering IS something you want to do. It would also buy you some time - the job market might be a whole lot better a couple of years from now. BUT, buying time and getting into a field that you might like more (than electrical engineering) would really be the only benefits. The truth is that a master's degree is not a whole lot more valuable than a bachelor's degree. Employers generally won't preferentially hire someone with a master's degree (especially vs someone with a bachelor's degree and experience). And pay is not really much better vs a bachelor's degree. Also keep in mind that entry level engineering jobs are generally hard to get in any economy, especially compared to the medical field (the only shortage that exists with engineers is with EXPERIENCED engineers). If simply getting a well-paying job is your priority, then your friends and parents have a point. The job market and pay will ALWAYS be better in health care than engineering. But if you have a REAL passion for mechanical engineering, then the difficulties associated with getting your first job might be well worth it.

hello Bigboy,

You can try to click the website below to find the job at Whirlpool in Evansville, Indiana. But I to tell you first. As my understanding, the company will be closed next year, don't know exact what month. If it is true, I don't understand why the company still hiring engineers for. I would think that because many engineers who work for Whirlpool already knew that its company is going to close and they probably quicked their jobs and have had jumped to other jobs before they get laid-off. As you know when the certain numbers of engeneers quicked works and the company will not have enough engeneers at the current times, in this case it may be a good opportunity for you to get the job there even it is a temporary job. A few months you work, a few months experience you will have, you would not lose anything. I have a friend who is the undergraduate student in Electrical Engineer. His currently jobk at Whirlpool as an electrian. At Whirlpool in my hometown, lots of people get laid-off included many engineers....some of them got laid-off, some of them quicked and jumped to another company. As a good consequence, my friend, he was very lucky, he got the intership job and still training under other engeneers. He told me, "They get out, I get in". What he meant other engineer quicked and he had a good chance for intership job.

Good luck to you bigboy, I hope you will find a job.

www.indeed.com/q-Whirlpool-l-Evansville,-IN-jobs.html

sorry bigboy I did't past the entire link, here is the link.

www.indeed.com/q-Whirlpool-l-Evansville,-IN-jobs.html

well, I don't know why it not highlight the entire link. so don't click it won't work, you need to copy the link with -IN-jobs,html and past it in the address, and it will work

I couldn't help but notice that NONE of these engineering jobs at Whirlpool is [b]ENTRY LEVEL[/b] THAT'S what we are all looking for here in this thread, as we are all grads with minimal to no engineering experience. I have noticed that there seem to be PLENTY of engineering jobs out there for [b]EXPERIENCED[/b] engineers. But if you are looking for an entry level engineering position these days, you are kind of SOL.

Matt, It seems like I ll go for the LVN program. I am very good in Biology and chemistry as well and their program does not carry a lot of time consuming, intensive theoretical and academic work such as the multiple integrals and vector calculus we do in advanced engineering mathematics.
I ll crash the program as much and fast as I can and defer my MSc. admission for one year. I have nothing loosing. When I am done these MSc. in 2012, the economy would improve and then better chances of securing dream jobs will unfold.
Thats waht I would do. Any more suggestions are still welcome.

I graduated in 08 with a B.S., Mechanical Engineering degree from a good University in Michigan (3.14 GPA) and have not been able to find anything. I apply for mostly janitorial and technician work now while I work at Meijer for 7.85 / hour. People look at me like I am some kind of idiot when I have my Meijer shirt on. I feel like I wasted my time and money getting this ridiculously hard degree with nothing to show for it but $55,000 of debt. Sorry for venting (whining), but I just don't know what to do anymore.

Chiris, Will you like to work outside of Michigan? If you do, this is the Mars Petcare website (www.mars.com/global/Careers+at+Mars/Job+Search/Search+results.htm?JobAreaCode=-1&SpecialisationCode=-1&RegionCode=NA&CountryCode=USA&StateCode=AR&CityCode=-1
) hoping you can find the job here in Fort Smith Arkansas. Mars recently opened its new facility in Fort Smith but only running for testing at the current time.
The operating line is not officially operate(0pen) until January, 2010. I don't know this company will hire engineers or not, but I'm very sure the company will hire technicians. Good luck Chiris.

Here Chiris, this link is posted the Quality Technician from Mars Petcare. If you can get the job technician at Mars is good for you because the company pays good salary, start at least $20.00/hr.

career.staffingsoft.com/site017/asp/JobSeekerResults.asp?Display=details&id=4370&ContactId=

Chris,

While at Michigan, did you belong to any organizations or part of the greek culture there? The reason I ask is that if you haven't already, it's time to start networking with fellow Michigan men. They are everywhere in the world. Did you intern at all while in school? If so, try and talk with your previous supervisor (if they still have jobs). I know the economy in MI is in the crapper, but at the same time if this helps, the economy everywhere is pretty bad.

Good luck.

Brother......i am also from Michigan-Detroit. I just complete my MSME, but i was working and got laid off two months ago. is there any one around that area?...I am from wayne state university.

thanks

Robert in Klamath Falls, Oregon said: I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering, 3 years of quality control experience, 2 certifcations, and I am in the same boat... no companys are hiring and the ones who claim to be sure arent interested in me. I have applied to over 200 jobs I am qualified for in the last 3 months, and not one single interview.

so its not just entry level engineers with this problem...

Brother......i am also from Michigan-Detroit. I just complete my MSME, but i was working and got laid off two months ago. is there any one around that area?...I am from wayne state university.

thanks

Hi guys, I'd totally agree with a lot of the comments going up. I'm graduating from the University of Kansas (BSME). I get "Do you have any work experience?" all of the time. It's kind of hard to tell them "No, but it's the job markets fault" Can't exactly pull in an internship if I have to compete with people all over the country. What would you guys suggest the correct answer to that question should be?

I already complete my master and got laid off. its almost a year haven't found any job. I don't know what will happen i plan to start my Phd, but still after Phd i will be on the same place that i am now. Any suggestion that start Phd is a good idea for this time or not?. i asked you before if any body from Michigan area, cause one thing is definite that people got job from personal contact and networking is much easier than online posting.

what you can do become member of a church , or some good organization and meet professional people. Do you have good programming skills ? git LabView Certification I see job in that area all of the time online !

demand for ME graduates rough here in Chicago area too

Matt said: Another possibility might be to try getting an internship for the time being. I recall someone at the career center telling me that alot of people who have a hard time finding jobs after graduation get internships instead. They typically take a couple of classes at junior college so that they still have student status, which allows them to get into internships.

Matt, have you been able to find a job since then? Any hope for the mechanical engineers world? Give me a feed back please.

Matt how has been your job search? Any hope? has any employer called you for interview in Mechanical Engineering? Give me a feedback please.

Hi Urch,

I am also recently graduate i was found a job before i was graduated, but i got laid off. In Michigan its really hard to find job even yo have a experienced. Any feedback will be appreciated. Are you thinking about PHd???

Chris in Redford, Michigan said: I graduated in 08 with a B.S., Mechanical Engineering degree from a good University in Michigan (3.14 GPA) and have not been able to find anything. I apply for mostly janitorial and technician work now while I work at Meijer for 7.85 / hour. People look at me like I am some kind of idiot when I have my Meijer shirt on. I feel like I wasted my time and money getting this ridiculously hard degree with nothing to show for it but $55,000 of debt. Sorry for venting (whining), but I just don't know what to do anymore.

Hey Chris,

I am also from Michiagn......did you find anything yet???

Urch in Garland, Texas said: Matt how has been your job search? Any hope? has any employer called you for interview in Mechanical Engineering? Give me a feedback please.

The only interview I got so far was one for a government job. And that was only because I did so well on their test. However, I ended up bombing the interview. So I am back to square one.

Jonathan Edwards in Jacksonville, Florida said: Hello. My name is Jonathan Edwards. I recently graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and am finding it difficult to find a job in the field. Is anybody actively hiring because I can only find companies that are accepting resumes but not currently hiring at the time. I am more than willing to relocate anywhere.

I worked here at Formosa Plastics Co as ME for 15 yrs and they are hiring now. Good and stable company. Formosa Plastics co at Point Comrfort, Texas. Good Luck.
Dinh

If still interested, please contact me ASAP. Location is Sacramento, California. The business is a well establishd engineering firm. The name of the company is Turley and Associates. We are not experiencing recession status....Lots of work coming in!
Please contact ASAP.
lynnpro@comcast.net
Lynn Provencal

D Chau in Port Lavaca, Texas said: I worked here at Formosa Plastics Co as ME for 15 yrs and they are hiring now. Good and stable company. Formosa Plastics co at Point Comrfort, Texas. Good Luck.
Dinh

Hello Dinh.

I went on your company's website, and it showed that there are no current positions open at Point Comfort, TX. Is it possible that there are positions that have not been posted on the website? Do you have an email address where I may send you my resume, along with a skeleton sample of my cover letter demonstrating some of my projects and qualifications?

Lynn Provencal in El Dorado Hills, California said: If still interested, please contact me ASAP. Location is Sacramento, California. The business is a well establishd engineering firm. The name of the company is Turley and Associates. We are not experiencing recession status....Lots of work coming in!
Please contact ASAP.
lynnpro@comcast.net
Lynn Provencal

Hello Lynn,

I have a BS in mechanical engineering and am interested in engineering opportunities at Turley & Associates. I obtained my BS from Davis so I am very familiar with the Sacramento area. I will contact you via e-mail.

Matt said: Same here with me. I got my MSME last May. And so far, all I got was one interview. Now I can accept that these are hard times. I can also accept that there might not actually be a decent number of openings for a while (maybe a year or two), and that it might take a LONG time for me to find work. But are companies going to look at me (and others here like me) as a liability in a year or two (vs fresh grads) because I have not worked in the field since graduating? That's probably my biggest concern at this point.

Stay current, perhaps e.i.t/f.e. cert.?

Salame here Matt. I am also completed my MSME in last May. And since i wasn't got any job. Right now i am thinking to do my Phd in Biomedical Engineering. What you think?...i guess to get job in Medical field is much easier than the engineering.

become creative what he had learned with apply any possible job to come in life

Good to know I'm not the only one. I graduated in dec 08 with a bachelors in ME w/ a decent GPA and to this date still have not found a job. Taking the F.E. in two weeks and after that its anything. I guess my career ended before it started. End Rant.

I graduated from Clemson University in August 08' with my MSME (3.5 GPA)I haven't had a single interview. I moved to San Diego in May of 09' and I've been working at Costco making $11/hr ever since.

If you think you might be interested in moving to Northern California, please check out our web site at inspiredtech-usa.com you will find our contact information there.

Christian in San Diego, California said: I graduated from Clemson University in August 08' with my MSME (3.5 GPA)I haven't had a single interview. I moved to San Diego in May of 09' and I've been working at Costco making $11/hr ever since.

Gah, that's depressing, I graduated 5 months ago also from Clemson also with an MSME, 3.2 GPA and I've had two interviews, I think purely by chance though, really the postings just get continually more specialized and depressing, nobody seems to like to do any training. Oh yeah, if you want to hear something funny, one company I was working on a project for fired their receptionist to cut costs, now nobody greets you at the entrance and the lights are off

all the brother please dont be dedressed I also complete my MSME with 3.7 GPA. I recetly got job at GM. So lets keep your hopes up and you will find A ONE SOON :)

Eric, Charlottesville, VA in Charlottesville, Virginia said: Gah, that's depressing, I graduated 5 months ago also from Clemson also with an MSME, 3.2 GPA and I've had two interviews, I think purely by chance though, really the postings just get continually more specialized and depressing, nobody seems to like to do any training. Oh yeah, if you want to hear something funny, one company I was working on a project for fired their receptionist to cut costs, now nobody greets you at the entrance and the lights are off

I just have to wonder whether companies actually find people with the kinds of specialized training/experience that they seem to be looking for. It just seems like finding someone who has EXACTLY what they want is going to be MUCH more difficult than training someone to do it. Not to mention that, if they DO manage to find a perfect fit, they are going to have to pay them ALOT more. It just seems like it would be MUCH better for them to train someone or promote from within and hire an entry level person. But what do I know?

Matt,

Yeah, I agree with your point of view, entry level engineers are pretty valuable, but since most companies aren't expanding, there's no basic level projects that need to be handed off to newly graduated engineers, I keep telling myself it's the economy but that doesn't change that a newly graduated engineer will always be considered "fresher" than me which is why I'm learning more software, Solidworks, Ansys, Radtherm, Fluent, and taking the FE exam this year as I have some time.

harry85 in Clementon, New Jersey said: I am Recent gradute with MSME from New Jersey Institute Of Technology. No job. idk what to do as every company demands experience..Just tell them from where the new graduates will get experience if no body wants to give them opportunity to learn and prove themselves.

I am sure that, if you ask them where you are supposed to get the experience, you will hear the same thing as if you sent them your resume - that deafening sound of silence.

john in Southfield, Michigan said: i have a bs., in mechanical engineering. 3 internships and cannot find any entry level work. i'm getting denied for $11 / hour jobs now, hiring manager does not like the advanced degree at all. i want to hang myself, i don't know what to do.

Please, don't do that. Things will get better, hang in there.

I'm glad to see that I'm they only one in this sinking boat. I graduated last summer with an MSME, and a GPA of 3.6. I spent a few solid months looking for jobs (job boards, government websites, craig's list), and came upon very few entry level positions. What bothered me was that even some entry level positions mentioned "at least 2 years experience needed". Anyways, after a few months, I got very jaded, and decided to use my knowledge elsewhere. I took on freelance tutoring, and after a month or so, was working 20-25 hours a week, earning about $30 an hour, with no taxes and no boss. Not bad for freelance work.

6 months later, semester finished, and I'm now back looking for a professional job, as I want the security of permanence and health care. I've decided to look abroad, as some countries have a shortage of skilled labor. I'm going to buy a ticket to New Zealand, and see if I have luck there, with the money earned from tutoring. My hope is to apply for jobs and convince someone to sponsor me, since I'll already be there. But we'll see what happens.

You can call me a pessimist, but I honestly don't see thinks getting better here. Regulations are being thrown out the window, the housing market is crashed, foreign labor is preferred over domestic labor. No reason to stay here.

Looking for entry level estimator. Mechanical Engineering background prefered. Job is Houston based and you must be a self starter and very dependable.

To apply send me your resume: ken.dickenson@yahoo.com

Uc in Denton, Texas said: I hold bachelors in Electrical Engineering and have had insufficient work experience. My former 3month job as a electrical technician trainee did not last. Also, I have no job now for a long time. I only have a $9 per hour job as a sales associate in a store. I just started a graduate program in Mechanical engineering. Meanwhile my parents and friends have been telling me to thinking of switching to another field maybe medical.
Please, would someone tell me the possibility of securing a job as a mechanical engineer with MSc. I want to take the risk. Please someone should advice further me.All I need is encouragement or useful suggestions.

I agree with your parents and friends' suggestion. Don't go to MSc in ME. Changing field to software engineering or med.
I'm on the same boat with you guys. Got BSME on May 2010 from UC Berkeley, got few interviews, but can't get anything. I'm think to apply for a job at $11 an hour -_-"

Phat in Fremont, California said: I agree with your parents and friends' suggestion. Don't go to MSc in ME. Changing field to software engineering or med.
I'm on the same boat with you guys. Got BSME on May 2010 from UC Berkeley, got few interviews, but can't get anything. I'm think to apply for a job at $11 an hour -_-"

Unfortunately, I also tend to agree here. Yes, the economy is bad now. But the fact of the matter is that mechanical engineering is NOT a growth profession, at least here in the US. Even in good times, employers are NOT going to be lining up for ME grads straight out of school the way they do for, say, nurses. Getting a first job as a mechanical engineer will always be a struggle (to a greater or lesser degree). So unless you just happen to have a REAL passion for mechanical engineering AND know alot of people in the field who can help you land a job, there are easier ways (at least in terms of landing a job after school) to make a living.

Speaking of being told by parents not to study mechanical engineering because it is not marketable, who would have ever thought that a mechanical engineering degree would ever be on the same level as an art, music or humanities degree in terms of marketability.

Please, can someone tell me an optimistic area in this field of mechanical engineering. I am thinking of mechanical design in Building services but with PE, C++ and CAD/CAM. Many consortium of enginners and private contractors would benefit from young guys with this knowledge. Even if the economy is bad, can we still make something enterprising(self employment)out of this skill? Comments please.

Matt said: Speaking of being told by parents not to study mechanical engineering because it is not marketable, who would have ever thought that a mechanical engineering degree would ever be on the same level as an art, music or humanities degree in terms of marketability.

Tell me about it. Just a terrible feeling of putting all that time and effort into a seemingly "worthless" degree.

I guess I'm not the only one. I graduated from a top 2 university and haven't gotten past an interview...for the past 9 months. Relatives have jobs, but keep advising me on worthless, exhausted methods. If this country doesn't repair by next year, I'll be packing my bags and heading to a country where engineers are valued, and not treated like the equivalent of liberal arts majors and such. I guess this is the hope and change we all expected.

Meng2 in Tampa, Florida said: Tell me about it. Just a terrible feeling of putting all that time and effort into a seemingly "worthless" degree.

Agreed. And if I hear one more HR rep say to me, "Tell me about a time...," I think I'll walk out of the room, purchase a gun with one bullet, and shoot myself.

jobless and broke in San Jose, California said: Agreed. And if I hear one more HR rep say to me, "Tell me about a time...," I think I'll walk out of the room, purchase a gun with one bullet, and shoot myself.

"Tell me about a time......"? OUCH!!!! THOSE have to be the worst. The stupid thing here is that the ability to answer questions like these only show that you know how to 'wing it'. And engineering is NOT about winging it. You would think that, if companies are trying to be more selective about hiring engineers, they would at least ask more relevant questions than these types of questions. But some people never learn. No wonder SO many incompetent people actually get hired, while those who actually know something get tossed aside like a piece of trash.

Matt in Montebello, California said: "Tell me about a time......"? OUCH!!!! THOSE have to be the worst. The stupid thing here is that the ability to answer questions like these only show that you know how to 'wing it'. And engineering is NOT about winging it. You would think that, if companies are trying to be more selective about hiring engineers, they would at least ask more relevant questions than these types of questions. But some people never learn. No wonder SO many incompetent people actually get hired, while those who actually know something get tossed aside like a piece of trash.

Matt, about 90% of my interviews have been conducted this way. I wish they knew better, but they don't, and that's the same reason why qualified people like me don't even get interviews for positions that perfectly suit them. I know, engineering is about technical communication, not storytelling and "feel good" experiences. I was the one pulling all-nighters, studying my ass off 7 days a week while my liberal arts friends were out partying nonstop all the time. I bet you can guess who has a full time job now.