zieg
03-18-2010, 05:51 PM
I debated posting this for a long time, and even had something pretty long typed out, but I've just decided to throw this out there and see what kind of replies I get. I know there are engineers on here, so I'm hoping for some good feedback...
Here's my story. I graduated in 2008 with a Diploma of Technology in Mechanical Engineering. I then spent about 8 months doing cad drafting (With some design work on the side) for a small company, and got laid off when the company ran out of money. This was all in Vancouver.
Fast forward to now, I've moved to Calgary and am having a really tough time finding work. I know this is kind of a bad time to be entering the work force, but I can't really do much about that. I'm also married, and my wife and I are wanting to buy a house, as soon as I have a job that will qualify for a half decent mortgage.
My options as I see them are these:
1. Keep looking for engineering work for as long as it takes
2. Get a job doing something else and work for scratch while I keep looking for an engineering job
3. Get back into debt with student loans, go back to school and rent for another couple of years, and hope that when I graduate again (I want a degree sometime anyhow), the economy will have turned around and I will find work easily
I'm leaning toward option 2 at the moment, but I am a bit worried that it would take away from the time I have to look for real work.
Option 3 is my second choice. I really don't want to go back into debt at this point, but I'm starting to seriously consider it. I should be able to get credit for all of the 1st year at the U of C, so degree in 3 years.
The main thing that's killing me right now, in my opinion, is my lack of experience. Most of the engineering jobs I am seeing call for 5-10+ years of experience.
My other issue is that since I have moved cities, I don't know many people here and don't have much of a network set up, so all of these 'hidden job market' positions are unavailable to me. Does anyone have some suggestions as to how I might go about meeting engineers and so on when I don't have a job?
Lastly, if there are any engineers on here who know about any openings that I might not have seen on the job boards, or you could recommend places I could go with an unsolicited application, I would really appreciate hearing about them. My best case scenario job would probably be something that involves 3d design. I like/am good at 2d and 3d CAD, and would love to make a career out of it.
Well, there I go writing a big long book again, but I think it's necessary. Be kind. =\
Here's my story. I graduated in 2008 with a Diploma of Technology in Mechanical Engineering. I then spent about 8 months doing cad drafting (With some design work on the side) for a small company, and got laid off when the company ran out of money. This was all in Vancouver.
Fast forward to now, I've moved to Calgary and am having a really tough time finding work. I know this is kind of a bad time to be entering the work force, but I can't really do much about that. I'm also married, and my wife and I are wanting to buy a house, as soon as I have a job that will qualify for a half decent mortgage.
My options as I see them are these:
1. Keep looking for engineering work for as long as it takes
2. Get a job doing something else and work for scratch while I keep looking for an engineering job
3. Get back into debt with student loans, go back to school and rent for another couple of years, and hope that when I graduate again (I want a degree sometime anyhow), the economy will have turned around and I will find work easily
I'm leaning toward option 2 at the moment, but I am a bit worried that it would take away from the time I have to look for real work.
Option 3 is my second choice. I really don't want to go back into debt at this point, but I'm starting to seriously consider it. I should be able to get credit for all of the 1st year at the U of C, so degree in 3 years.
The main thing that's killing me right now, in my opinion, is my lack of experience. Most of the engineering jobs I am seeing call for 5-10+ years of experience.
My other issue is that since I have moved cities, I don't know many people here and don't have much of a network set up, so all of these 'hidden job market' positions are unavailable to me. Does anyone have some suggestions as to how I might go about meeting engineers and so on when I don't have a job?
Lastly, if there are any engineers on here who know about any openings that I might not have seen on the job boards, or you could recommend places I could go with an unsolicited application, I would really appreciate hearing about them. My best case scenario job would probably be something that involves 3d design. I like/am good at 2d and 3d CAD, and would love to make a career out of it.
Well, there I go writing a big long book again, but I think it's necessary. Be kind. =\