Entry Level Professional Positions....

[eedre]

Where are they? I feel like I wasted my money on an education. It was fun to learn about things I'll never use.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

What is your education in?

[eedre]

Electrical Engineering.

So instead of learning how to use CAD or PLC programming, which every company wants, I learned how to use Matlab.

[BruisedOoze]

Originally Posted by eedre

Electrical Engineering.

So instead of learning how to use CAD or PLC programming, which every company wants, I learned how to use Matlab.

How did you get through an engineering degree without any sort of CAD training? Matlab is great for what it does but compared to the importance of CAD for design purposes it's useless. Matlab will help on numerical simulations however. But I don't see why you only had training in one at the expense of something like CAD.

Regardless industry is a good spot to look for work. If you ahve an idea of what kind of industry work you would like to do maybe consider a Master's to get your feet wet and gain experience. But I'd see if you could get a job first.

[eedre]

Originally Posted by BruisedOoze

How did you get through an engineering degree without any sort of CAD training? Matlab is great for what it does but compared to the importance of CAD for design purposes it's useless. Matlab will help on numerical simulations however. But I don't see why you only had training in one at the expense of something like CAD.

Regardless industry is a good spot to look for work. If you ahve an idea of what kind of industry work you would like to do maybe consider a Master's to get your feet wet and gain experience. But I'd see if you could get a job first.

Yes, my university really gips EE's and CE's. Every single professor in the upper level core classes assigns Matlab projects. Thus, crippling us when it comes to "real" work instead of research.

In their defense - I'm a freakin' whizz at Matlab!

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Though about a masters where you can do a CAD based project?

Over here its pretty hard to get your foot in the door, with my grad degree, barely anyone from my class was getting jobs, so I just went on with the masters, maybe a silly idea as it was a total change of field and is thus a nightmare, but, hopefully it'll help a bit.

On saying that, there are so many more people with degrees than jobs that its just getting more and more competative, even to the level that people with PhDs are applying to jobs which only require a BSc etc.

[Trevor.A]

Same here, we use matlab exclusively for some reason

[eedre]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Though about a masters where you can do a CAD based project?

Over here its pretty hard to get your foot in the door, with my grad degree, barely anyone from my class was getting jobs, so I just went on with the masters, maybe a silly idea as it was a total change of field and is thus a nightmare, but, hopefully it'll help a bit.

On saying that, there are so many more people with degrees than jobs that its just getting more and more competative, even to the level that people with PhDs are applying to jobs which only require a BSc etc.

I have thought about a Masters. I'm not one much for design as much as system optimization and maintenance. I also really prefer power systems and generally enjoy dealing with people.

So if I would do it, I'd look into Power Plant planning, protection, and distribution works... best of luck over there in the job search!

[Phat Ham]

Some undergrad programs are more theoretical and thus you don't learn practical applications. I don't think I did any hands on practical stuff until my 4th year. I feel like I learned more practical stuff as a summer research assistant than in class.

[eedre]

Originally Posted by Phat Ham

Some undergrad programs are more theoretical and thus you don't learn practical applications. I don't think I did any hands on practical stuff until my 4th year. I feel like I learned more practical stuff as a summer research assistant than in class.

Yeah, if only there were a 4-year practical trade school.

The universities seem to really set you up for grad school in one way or the other just to get the experience you need to get the job you want.

[StanFan]

I don't see how Matlab and CAD are completely interchangeable. I only really ever used CAD to draw schematic diagrams. I use programs like Matlab and MultiSim for any circuit simulations. If AutoCAD can do that, it's beyond my understanding at this point.

[StyleOverShow]

Too bad that the Universities are more clued in to the marketplace.

[MJ5150]

So are you looking for a job or looking to continue your college career?

-Mike

[theshadow2001]

I left college with a lower degree (a diploma) did some technician jobs in industry went back and finished my honours degree and my current employer rang me up and offered me a job the week after I finished up college. The technician jobs allowed me to gain experience and build some contacts which helped me get an engineering job (along with my qualification)

The point is if you want a professional job you'll probably have to do some lower level industrial work first. The lower down the scale in terms of jobs (and pay unfortunately) the more likely you will be taken on with little or no experience. You have to start at the bottom. Bide your time, build your experience and keep your eye on the jobs market. You'll have to be willing to move to where the work is too.

All that being said I did learn CAD and PLC programming, I dabbled in some MATlab in college too along with LabVIEW and C. Actually all of it was useless in my technician jobs but is coming into play a bit as an engineer.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by BruisedOoze

How did you get through an engineering degree without any sort of CAD training? Matlab is great for what it does but compared to the importance of CAD for design purposes it's useless.

If your designing and simulating an electronic control system CAD is pretty much useless. Both of them have their place and usefulness in design.

[Tsal]

Originally Posted by eedre

In their defense - I'm a freakin' whizz at Matlab!

Why not search for a job in R&D, then? I'm sure there's a lot more EE people who have opted for CAD instead of Matlab.

Besides, you can always get a book on CAD - learning maths by yourself, however, can be a pain in the rear.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by eedre

I have thought about a Masters. I'm not one much for design as much as system optimization and maintenance. I also really prefer power systems and generally enjoy dealing with people.

So if I would do it, I'd look into Power Plant planning, protection, and distribution works... best of luck over there in the job search!

The up side with many Masters is that they pay, so you could always look at it as a job for a year (granted a not too greatly paid one).

Thanks mate

Actually thinking of going a stage further next year and starting a PhD.

All the best in your hunt!

[zac2944]

Originally Posted by eedre

Electrical Engineering.

So instead of learning how to use CAD or PLC programming, which every company wants, I learned how to use Matlab.

You're an EE, don't worry about CAD! Being a CAD jockey is a very boring job anyway. Besides, if you really want to learn to use CAD, you co teach yourself. It is very easy for someone who thinks like an engineer.

For your first job, you have to think out of the box. Don't fixate on the experience you have from school (matlab, etc.). Your biggest asset is that you have a strong background in EE fundamentals, and have proven your ability to learn. No one ever walks into a new job already knowing how to do it, and employers know this. Show them that you are a fast learner, and have drive and determination.

Don't limit your self to jobs that resemble something you did in an EE class. There is WAY more to the world of engineering then what you learn in school. For example, I have a degree in Mech. E. but now six year out of school I have a job which requires very little theoretical engineering. I manage multimillion dollar projects for a large printing corporation. It is a very low stress position and pays well. My first job out of school had me in a machine shop, designing parts and machines, and using CAD and all that, but the time management skills, personal skills, and leadership skills I honed in engineering school really out shine skills like operating a CAD program.

One more thing. If you can, don't be afraid to travel and move for your job. Look for jobs all over the country. You'd be surprised, but many companies hard up for a good engineer will fly you in for interviews and cover some moving expenses.

[zac2944]

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

Too bad that the Universities are more clued in to the marketplace.

Ultimately, the student chooses what university or courses to take. If the student doesn't feel that the University is "clued in" enough, then the student can go elsewhere.

If the OP wanted a degree in something more applied and "clued in to the market", he should have chosen a degree program that he found more appropriate. Universities don't offer us a direct path to a job, the sell an education which offers us opportunities. If we choose to buy the wrong education, bad on us. Many universities offer tech level degrees in engineering which are more applied and hands on. Heck, if all you want to do is learn to operate a CAD program you can buy a book and the software and teach yourself.

No offense to you StyleOverShow, I can understand what you're saying. There are a ton of schools offering degrees in subjects that are of little practical use or not in demand. That said, I have no sympathy for the sucker who decides to earn and pay for such a degree and then complain about the school or job market. I've known quite a few people who expected to be handed a job when they graduated with their (insert worthless degree here) degree only to find disappointment and frustration. Luckily for the OP, he's not one of them. A degree in electrical engineering is pretty much a golden ticket to many open doors. He just hasn't realized that yet.

[BruisedOoze]

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

If your designing and simulating an electronic control system CAD is pretty much useless. Both of them have their place and usefulness in design.

I meant design from a blue print perspective. I even stated that Matlab is useful for simulations.