Landing first entry level engineering position? (Any PE’s with advice?)?

Question by G: Landing first entry level engineering position? (Any PE’s with advice?)?
I’m usually not one to ask questions on here, as I love to share my knowledge and experiences with others, but I could definitely use some advice/suggestions. Here’s the story -

I’m a recent graduate of an ABET accredited program from a highly ranked school in southeastern Pennsylvania. I’ve earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a Minor in Architectural Engineering. My GPA was about B range, just past 3.1. So, my grades were decent, I have the degree, and I do have 6 months of internship experience with a consulting firm whose services were in site design / land development.

As suggested by my univeristy and others, the job search began in fall of my senior year (2008). I attended three school-hosted career fairs and made use of the university’s career development and interviewing services. I also searched on my own. My resume was handed out to well over 30 companies, and in the winter/early spring I interviewed with a handful of firms. Some replied and clearly stated I was not selected, others simply made no follow up gesture (go professionalism!!!). Other firms were kind enough to send mail stating they were not hiring at this time.

Anyways, I’m not here to complain. I feel that I’ve made a decent effort in my search. I’ve been browsing online nightly for weeks trying to find entry level work. Many positions are structural yet my concentrations were in water resources and transportation. I applied at my internship firm and got no reply. I will be taking the F.E. in October of this year which would make me an EIT by about January if I pass. This would definitely make me more marketable. My resume is solid and was recently reviewed by a relative who is a PE. I’m a friendly person, highly motivated, a very hard worker and capable of getting things done. Who would have thought getting your foot in the door could ever be so hard with an engineering degree. According to Forbes.com “engineer” is the hardest profession to fill in America. Unfortunately the economy is against me and fellow graduates no matter what their field of study.

So I ask, is there any advice those in industry might have for landing that first job? The work may not be here geographically and I understand that, so relocating is a possibility. There must be some firm out there who needs cheaper labor and a young mind with new perspectives.

Thanks in advance!
Didn’t have luck with the ACoE first time around but I’m still in contact with them.

Province? I’m in an American state – the time spent in practice before being able to sit for the PE is 4 years, not 8.

Asking for advice…not your life story.
5 / 30 + against your. 3 / 100 kind of says something…

Best answer:

Answer by animator_phil
be diligent, professional and patient. It will come. Engineering is in demand, and you will get that job soon. EIT is more marketable, so that is a good thing. I am guessing you are still young?

Try the army corp. of engineers. You will have to join the army, but…you would be an engineer…and when you get out with your degree and your EIT and your experience from the army…you will be able to take your PE and will be able to work anywhere commanding a great salary and job…

and dont worry about what he said down there…as an army corp engineer, you could work in soooo many different places…you wouldn’t have to go overseas…you could work in buffalo NY, to Albuquerque, NM…especially if your water resources…you could basically work for any major city in America…

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