Career advice for engineering & other technical majors

Black Collegian, Feb 1997 by Calvin Bruce

What does it take to succeed as an engineering graduate? As more collegians choose engineering, a challenging and well-paying profession, the competition for the best jobs with prestigious companies intensifies.

Corporate recruiters have a keen eye for spotting the most talented and ambitious engineering students. Promising engineering graduates are those possessing academic excellence, strong faculty references, realistic career goals, leadership qualities, and commendable work experience.

In short, premier corporations (such as those that advertise in THE BLACK COLLEGIAN) seek to hire "cream of the crop" graduates: collegians who are smart, have specific goals, and are willing to take some risks.

This article spotlights a few accomplished engineering graduates who offer practical career advice to collegians "coming up the ranks." Because of their accomplishments, these graduates may inspire those willing "to follow."

Before discussing their specific advice, allow me to offer some career guidance based on a decade of recruiting engineers and other technical professionals for wellknown national and international corporations.

The Importance of Goal Setting Launching a successful engineering career begins with laying a good educational foundation and setting appropriate goals for professional development. Here are five goals especially worth considering.

1. Distinguish yourself as someone who stands "head and shoulders" above the crowd. In the classroom, strive to attain the best grades possible and to favorably impress your professors, counselors, and classmates. You never know whom you might ask to recommend you for a job one day.

Outside the classroom, take active leadership roles in sports, student government, and social organizations. By doing so, you become well-rounded and confident dealing with a variety of people. These traits are important for anyone aspiring to become a manager some day.

2. Align yourself with a mentor who can promote your career success. This mentor can be a college professor who takes special interest in your career, a former student who has a good professional track record, or an industry professional.

Whomever you choose, make certain that they stay abreast of milestones in your professional development. As time and opportunity permit, they can be good "sounding boards" for discussing career options and any special problems you may encounter.

3. Get a job with an industry leader offering a clear career track for advancement. The size of the company is not as important as its reputation and its support of young professionals who want to reach their potential. As dedicated as you may be in helping your employer succeed, the company should similarly be committed to promoting your career advancement.

Look beyond initial dollars and consider long-term opportunity. The best place to work may not necessarily be with the company that offers the highest starting salary. Why work for a firm that pays top dollar to attract talented graduates who soon become stymied in their career growth?

Quality internships and co-op work experiences allow you to examine closely those companies offering the career track most amenable to your professional objectives.

4. Make yourself as marketable as possible. Marketability begins with establishing a good work record and reputation as a junior engineer. Be the best at what you can do. Let your work reflect precision, timely project completion, and unswerving dedication to quality customer service.

Similarly, strive to get, when possible, the appropriate licensing and certification (such as Engineer-inTraining) that will elevate you in the ranks of your profession. Not only will certification enhance your earning potential, but it will also put you on a different competitive playing field.

5. Maximize your career options. Graduate school may not be something you're seriously considering now, but do not rule it out altogether. An advanced degree opens many opportunities, including those in college teaching or research.

To broaden your employment options, volunteer for projects that involve travel-perhaps even a stint overseas. Acquiring firsthand knowledge of business operations in a different culture will definitely give you a competitive edge in future job hunting. Another way to maximize your options is to network carefully. Networking can be accomplished through active participation in industry associations, fraternities and sororities, and your college alumni association.

Staying in touch with engineering classmates and professors can also pay good networking dividends. If you're perceived as a "rising star" in the industry, you will be mentioned by name in influential circles when key staffing needs are discussed.

Advice from Former Students What career advice would successful young engineers offer collegians preparing to enter the profession? Five well-established engineers offer their advice.

Scott Deering works as a research engineer and project leader for AlliedSignal, Inc., in Morristown, NJ. He received two degrees from M.I.T., a B.S. in Materials Science in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering in 1996.