Most of this thread is right on. Schooling is for the basics of it, and as was said, learning the fundamentals.
Fry’s got it pretty much right on; when you start you’ll be trained with what they want u to be doing; and they’re “mold” you for lack of a better word into what role they need you to fill. It’s a non-stop learning job though if you’re doing it right. There’s always something else to figure out how to do, or how to do more efficently, etc.
I wouldn’t worry too much about knowing what you’re doing when you start out; as long as you have some technical problem solving ability, you’ll be all set.
As for did school help me out… yes… it gave me the basics and the piece of paper which let me get into a position where I could learn and grow into a career.
I went to school for MET. I started out developing Lighting Systems and Avionics for Aircraft at Astronics; and am now doing Program Management/Project Engineering for Medical Devices (Infusion pumps, Enteral Feeding Pumps, and all the disposables that go along with them) at Moog.
I use maybe 3% of what I learned in school; and 97% of what I either learned, was taught, or figured out on the job.
Yeah don’t worry. As long as you have you’re degree it’s your past technical experience that is going to really help you get a job later on. That’s how I have my job.
And depending on where you work, you very well may end up using a lot of shit you learned from school in your work. I end up using a lot of stuff from classes that I’ve taken and actually bring my text books to work. I think that Moog is somewhat of a rare case, though. Again, it all depends.
Either way, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. No company is going to toss in depth analysis at you and expect you to do it flawlessly. You’ll learn on the job, and adapt. No big deal. Most of what we learned in school can be done with software anyhow. Just as long as you know how to think conceptually and apply what you’ve learned you should be set.
[QUOTE=Paulo;1522418]
And depending on where you work, you very well may end up using a lot of shit you learned from school in your work. I end up using a lot of stuff from classes that I’ve taken and actually bring my text books to work. I think that Moog is somewhat of a rare case, though. Again, it all depends.
QUOTE]
This was true for me for about the first 5 years of my career when I was doing actual Engineering work and Design/Testing work. I had my cube full of my engineering textbooks and reference books.
But I personally didn’t want to spend my whole career doing just Engineering/Design work and wanted to get more into Management… so that’s the path I’m working now.
This was true for me for about the first 5 years of my career when I was doing actual Engineering work and Design/Testing work. I had my cube full of my engineering textbooks and reference books.
But I personally didn’t want to spend my whole career doing just Engineering/Design work and wanted to get more into Management… so that’s the path I’m working now.[/QUOTE]
I’ll be the same way. I don’t plan on doing this forever. I’ll probably get my MBA, or just try to move up before that.
But most is based on the persons ability to apply their knowledge and skills. You maybe the smartest person with 4.0 in honors but this does not mean you will get the job. I re-design bridges for Homeland Security using composite armory, I have a dual major in Aerospace & Industrial engineering. But my work consist of Structural design & devices. I do apply engineering principles like aerodynamics & propulsion but my work load changes everyday.
This is not the NFL draft you need to go find the job & Networking is a powerful tool.
Not an engineer, but here is what I have come across in just the general life of job searching and changing jobs. I have a finance and accounting degree, and didn’t have the best gpa.
GPA’s outside your 1st job mean crap. Its more about your experience. You are better off having solid internships than a 4.0 I feel. It shows that you can work in the real world, and helps build a solid networking base to start off with. GPA means nothing now that I am 5 years out. I plan on going back for a masters, but I will do better on a GPA, but will let it suffer for better networking.
As far as classes in the work place, yes you will use some of it. But for the most part, school is just a general overall cover to teach you how to act, how to think. Most of my real learning has happened outside of school on the job. Ex. I was working at a bank doing finance and accounting, was more of what I learned in school, but also learned a lot there. Now I am doing finance for an ad agency, I had to start fresh all over again. Its the same gerneral principal, but needed to learn how this field works. Not sure if this makes any sence though.
and yes walter this thread is serious, why are you such an asshole? the only person that cared to recognize your comment was me, thanks for failing at thread jacking
I plan on getting my masters here in Houston at A&M and my PE within the next 4 years. Working on some Six Sigma bullshit in my spare time because it is a joke and looks good to have.
I have used parts of my schooling in work, more conceptual then actual though.
This has been true for every “career” job I’ve ever had. I suggest you read lots of people skills books and learn to be the best communicater and I think that’ll put you ahead. That has been my key to my sucesses.
Like Paulo said, there are some exceptions though: I wish I had learned more in Systems Analysis or whatever Dr. Mook’s class was, and in Instruments and Computers. Both apply directly to what I do now. I got an A in thermo (the second time :mamoru: ) but I wish more of that was still in the front of my brain too.
engineering school really only teaches you how to think “DIFFERENTLY”. You learn how to approach problems. As far as the schooling…you’ll only use about 5% of what you learned and learn the remainder at your new job.
Networking and experience is key PRIOR to graduating. Fuck GPA, I only had a 3.3 but 3 different interships prior to graduating. You’ll find that bringing a nice portfolio to the table at an interview is a good way to break ice…as well as let the hiring engineers that you also have a passion for cars (85% of M.E.'s seem to have a liking for cars)
I have had interviews that lasted 2hrs… over half that time was spent talking about cars.
Now, i’m getting completely out of my professional degree…and working for myself. So my schooling didn’t mean shit as far as the long term.
So, basically, everything you have shown is Praxair property as are most of your post’s, thoughts and conversations. Ex. Coffee club info is even confidential.
Patent lawyers give the best presentations…
Back on topic, I wish I had taken the initiative to get an internship somewhere.
Real problems are so much more fun than crappy book problems.
Also, My 1st job out of school was in electronics. Designing, building and testing pc boards… It got old, so I changed jobs and had about 10% of my past experience cross over. It’s good to continually hurt your brain trying to figure stuff out.
Well, to start, think of things that you’ve done that were above and beyond the regular grind of a workday. Like big projects that you initiated/coordinated. It doesn’t have to be something you did at work either. You should already be using those examples in your interviews but what you can have in your portfolio are pictures/diagrams etc of those things to give visual representation of what you did.
I even talked about my website in interviews and that seemed to help. People were also very happy to see that I had fab skills when I showed them some of the fixtures that I designed and built at my old job. Anything helps.
def agree on the people and leadership skills, always room for improvement with that, i had an interview with goodyear not to long ago, it went really well, until they commented on my piercings and multicolored hair =( i figured if newman can pull it off why not me!
pS fry, i got a c in thermo the first time around, fuck that A no way in hell im going back there
If you’re being serious I suggest you change that. Despite our now PC culture, people will still judge you based on your appearance. If you want to be taken seriously for a serious job you better look the part.
