Career By Design

I'm graduating this December with an MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering specializing in Water Resources Engineering.  I desperately need a job.

I did my BS in Applied Mathematics & Statistics at the same university.  If there is one thing holding me back, it is that I do not have an undergraduate degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.  However, I did a whole bunch of Environmental Engineering courses during my undergrad which is why I qualified for MS.  I try to explain that I can still do FE/EIT after an NCEES Credential Evaluation.

Last Career Fair (Spring 2024), everyone wanted to fill full-time positions, but this fall there were only internships for Summer 2025.  Two months ago when I floated my resume, I thought I would get a few calls right away.  But there was deafening silence for over a month.  Then the rejections rolled in.  By now I have applied for over 100 entry-level Water Resources Engineer jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed and company websites, got 25 rejections and snagged just one Zoom interview for November which at this moment looks tenuous at best.  I seem to have hit a wall on LinkedIn and Indeed as the same jobs seem to be cycling back including those I got rejected for.  So far, I have resisted applying for purely Civil or Environmental jobs.

I've been racking my brain and wondering what I'm doing wrong.

• Resume: Seems OK according to all those I asked including a free resume evaluation service.
• Visa: US Citizen.
• Relocation: Open to moving anywhere.
• Travel: Fine with travel.
• Pay: Flexible, haven't set any.

I'm running out of time with 40 days left for my degree and 2 months left on my lease (my parents live abroad) and would appreciate any advice.  Is it me, is it the economy or is this how it is always supposed to be? 

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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I would think having your EIT would make your life easier but if you have an MS that honestly shouldn't matter. If you are open to relocating to California the California Department of Water Resources is hiring for 4 entry level positions. Go to jobs.ca.gov and type in "Engineer, Water Resources" in the search bar. The State of California application process isn't the fastest always but due to our budget situation in California I know people will be motivated to get those positions filled before any hiring freeze is instituted. Also, it is a government application process so not the same as applying to the private sector. Check out the faq's on www.reddit.com/r/CAStateWorkers/ and once you've done that feel free to ask me any questions if that interests you.

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Dominic Blum-Gutierrez Aff.M.ASCE
Engineer, Water Resources
Sacramento CA
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I also wonder if the job market has been rough. I got my PhD in environmental engineering this summer and have been looking for air quality related jobs in industry. Did undergrad and masters in civil and environmental engineering too. Don't need visa sponsorship. Willing to relocate, very flexible with pay. Applied to countless junior/mid level positions and no luck so far. I have been considering lowering my target and applying to entry level positions.

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Hui Yang S.M.ASCE
State College PA
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According to my understanding, the job market in the civil field is pretty hot right now. I was in a similar position as you a while back. I have sent you a LinkedIn request, if you don't mind, to stay in touch and send you some open roles at my current company. Cheers!

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Alberto Diaz Loza Aff.M.ASCE
Student
Chicago IL
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Hi David,

I'm sorry your struggling finding work. I will share with you my advice and how I began to obtain experience. Perhaps this might shed some light in your direction.

• 1.   First of all, I see you are in Potsdam NY. I am from NYC, and there are many jobs in the city. Perhaps you may consider moving to NYC.
• 2.     The jobs always needing people are concrete technicians, ACI concrete field inspectors. I began climbing the ladder because I took the job many rejected, getting dirty and carrying some weight. I highly recommend you consider finding a technician role to begin. This requires you to take a class, both written and physical part which costs about $1100. However, some companies may be willing to bring you onboard and pay allow you to begin working under someone else while paying for your class. Amaracon, Intertek MT Group, Tectonic and M&J Engineering are some from the top of my head that do this.

I hope this helps, good luck!

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Yasiri Quezada Aff.M.ASCE
Senior Inspector
Bridgeport CT
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The City of Philadelphia seems to have a number of vacancies open right now. Some of these would be with their Water Department. Maybe consider taking a look there. Best of luck to you. 

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Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
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My LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwre/ and my email address is davidspaul01@...

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Thank you, Dominic Blum-Gutierrez, for being so supportive, for going through my resume, for letting me know how to apply for government jobs in California and so much more!

Hui Yang, hope things work out for you.

Thank you, Alberto Diaz Loza, for letting me know about Benesch!  I intend to apply soon after this.

Thank you, Yasiri Quezada, for your guidance!  You have been a source of great strength to me.

Thank you, Christopher Seigel!  I really need to start looking into Philly.

Thank you also to the one person who contacted me directly within hours of my post coming online.  I can never forget your gesture.

In case anyone would like to contact me directly, please do.  My email address is in my previous post.  I still haven't found a job.  With Thanksgiving round the corner, I am fearful I won't get a job if I don't get one in the next couple of weeks. 

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Thank you, David. I also just remembered the Commonwealth of Pennsilvania has multiple water related openings: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pabureau. I talked with an HR a few weeks ago and he suggested the Environmental or Civil Engineering Trainee positions for new grads.

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Hui Yang S.M.ASCE
State College PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2024 09:26 AM
From: David Paul
Subject: Is it really this hard to get an entry-level job?

Thank you, Dominic Blum-Gutierrez, for being so supportive, for going through my resume, for letting me know how to apply for government jobs in California and so much more!

Hui Yang, hope things work out for you.

Thank you, Alberto Diaz Loza, for letting me know about Benesch!  I intend to apply soon after this.

Thank you, Yasiri Quezada, for your guidance!  You have been a source of great strength to me.

Thank you, Christopher Seigel!  I really need to start looking into Philly.

Thank you also to the one person who contacted me directly within hours of my post coming online.  I can never forget your gesture.

In case anyone would like to contact me directly, please do.  My email address is in my previous post.  I still haven't found a job.  With Thanksgiving round the corner, I am fearful I won't get a job if I don't get one in the next couple of weeks. 

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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David, sorry about the frustration and rejection, keep your head up. I sent you an email, hopefully I can get you in touch with a good company that's looking for entry level engineers like you!

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Jeffrey Elmore P.E., M.ASCE
Highway Engineer
Lakeland FL
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Should I wear a suit for a Zoom interview for a Civil Engineering job?

davidspaul01 AT gmail.com

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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I would say no, a plain shirt with blazer on top should do. Now a days people dress more casual than dressy. 

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Yasiri Quezada Aff.M.ASCE
Senior Inspector
Bridgeport CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 08:54 AM
From: David Paul
Subject: Is it really this hard to get an entry-level job?

Should I wear a suit for a Zoom interview for a Civil Engineering job?

davidspaul01 AT gmail.com

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Thank you so much, Yasiri!

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 05:54 PM
From: Yasiri Quezada
Subject: Is it really this hard to get an entry-level job?

I would say no, a plain shirt with blazer on top should do. Now a days people dress more casual than dressy. 

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Yasiri Quezada Aff.M.ASCE
Senior Inspector
Bridgeport CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 08:54 AM
From: David Paul
Subject: Is it really this hard to get an entry-level job?

Should I wear a suit for a Zoom interview for a Civil Engineering job?

davidspaul01 AT gmail.com

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY

Still no luck.  Did a sum total of two interviews since I began my job search in September, first one didn't work out as they were looking for someone else, second went well but no update yet.

Enclosed is my resume, do feel free to suggest changes or to contact me in case you are aware of job openings. 

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Hi David,

I personally know how frustrating it is to apply to over a hundred jobs and either hear nothing or receive rejection after rejection. What helped me get my first job when I was in this position was to find a mutual connection, or at least a connection with a common interest or school (thanks LinkedIn) and reach out to them and ask if they would help me follow up with the hiring manager. 

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Kristin Darby P.E., M.ASCE
Barre VT
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Thank you for your post, Kristin!

I forgot to update here, but I did finally manage to get a job with an environmental consulting firm as a Water Modeling Engineer!

It took a painstaking six months since I first began looking for a job. In that time, I had to redo my resume numerous times, learn to market myself with confidence I lacked and identify what kind of job I like to do.  Few observations:

1. The job market is really tough right now for Water Resources Engineers.  Seems to be the same for Civil/Environmental too.  The last three career fairs I attended were each worse than the previous one.   After the last one I attended in February 2025, I did not get a single interview call. 

2. I tried to connect with recruiters through LinkedIn, but it's really hard to do it these days without paying their monthly fee.  There are restrictions on how many people you can contact and how much you can write in your message for free.  Not a single person I cold-called on LinkedIn replied to me.  LinkedIn is a great resource to look for jobs though.  Indeed is good for government jobs.

3. Perhaps it is due to my unorthodox background, but I really had to dot all the i's and cross all the t's in my resume before I got an interview.

4. For those straight out of college, unless the job says "Entry Level" with zero years of experience, it is better not to apply at all.  For instance, "Entry Level" with 1-4 years of experience means they really want someone with experience.  Similarly, 0-4 years without specifying "Entry Level" means they want someone with experience, most likely the full 4 years.  By the way, it is curious that many civil/environmental engineering jobs look for those with at least 1 year of experience, which sems a bit disloyal to the company that hired you. 

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Philadelphia PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2025 10:05 AM
From: Kristin Darby
Subject: Is it really this hard to get an entry-level job?

Hi David,

I personally know how frustrating it is to apply to over a hundred jobs and either hear nothing or receive rejection after rejection. What helped me get my first job when I was in this position was to find a mutual connection, or at least a connection with a common interest or school (thanks LinkedIn) and reach out to them and ask if they would help me follow up with the hiring manager. 

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Kristin Darby P.E., M.ASCE
Barre VT
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