Discussion Thread

  • 1.  Experience

    Posted 09-07-2019 11:00 AM
    Good morning everyone, 

    I just started my third year in college and I work at a mechanical engineering company but I need civil engineering experience to get where I would like to go. In order for me to do that I have to find a place that'll hire me but everyone hiring wants someone with experience. Any suggestions?

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    Sandra Chance
    R&D Technical Specialist
    Keysight Technologies
    Santa Rosa CA
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  • 2.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-09-2019 11:37 AM

    Sandra,

    Do not give up on the search for a civil engineering career. Any engineering experience is great to have.  I am sure that as some point there will be an opportunity that will open and you will be a great fit. I suggest getting involved with all Civil Engineering Organizations, attend civil engineering career fairs. Organizations expose you to companies and basically helps you get to be known in the community. When attending career fairs, don't be afraid to say... hey I know my experience is mechanical but I want to be a civil engineer... maybe put some skills you have learn as a mechanical that could be applied in civil. I am sure there is some but I been out of school for quite some time, so I can't think of anything right now. 

    My best wishes to you. 

    Sincerely,


    ------------------------------
    Deanna Lopez, PE , A.M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    WSP
    Tucson AZ
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-10-2019 12:15 PM
    Deanna, 
    Thank you for that suggestion. I am about to volunteer at a career fair with my company here in a couple weeks. I'll see if I can find some civil engineering companies. I believe I need experience in both Civil and Mechanical engineering due to me double majoring. 

    Best Regards,

     

    R&D Technical Specialist

    Sandra Chance




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-09-2019 12:40 PM
    I work with a few practicing civil engineers who have a background in mechanical engineering.  Stress to the employer that you have a strong understanding of statics and dynamics.  A mechanical background will also serve you well in connection design.  The only component in structural design that you might be missing is load determination.  This is mostly a matter of using the code books and formulas to determine the force applied.  Show yourself to be confident and willing to learn the aspects of civil engineering regardless of formal education.  Take some ASCE continuing education courses if needed.  Most engineers view mechanical as equal or greater complexity than civil, so it is certainly not seen as a big disadvantage.

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    Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
    Professional Engineer
    Greenville RI
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-09-2019 06:39 PM
    Hi Sandra,

    I wrote an article about how one can build credibility when he/she is in school. I hope it might help to answer your question,
    https://collaborate.asce.org/careerbydesign/blogs/prateek-srivastava1/2019/08/20/solving-the-credibility-paradox

    Good luck.

    Best,
    Prateek Srivastava

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    Prateek Srivastava A.M.ASCE
    Jersey City NJ
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-10-2019 10:22 AM
    Sandra,

    This is a really common situation. I went through this during college. I am now a structural engineer but did not have any structural engineering experience until I graduated with my master's degree. I actually just wrote a member voice about my transition from student to engineer, you can find it here. My recommendation to you is to build the soft skills that will help you be successful in your career. Some of the skill I found useful were teamwork, punctuality, honesty, personal organization, hard-work, ability to work independently, and more. 

    Employers do value experience, but if you are able to show them that you are a qualified candidate and show how those skills will help you succeed in your career you will have a great shot at getting the job. In my experience, employers value more a person for who they are than for what they know. Technical knowledge is important, but if you can't show you have a solid base of soft-skill, you will be in a disadvantage. 

    Another advice I can give you is to get involved with engineering organizations such as ASCE and EWB. That shows your interest and also shows you interested in developing those soft skills needed to succeed.



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    Luis Duque EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Structural Engineer
    Broomfield CO
    luis@...
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-11-2019 12:34 PM
    Luis, 

    Thank you so much for your advice. Right now I currently work at Keysight Technologies. I am getting hands on Mechanical Engineering experience here.. Although, I believe some of my knowledge from here with help me in the future as a civil engineer. I will look at your member voice when I get the chance, thank you for providing the link.

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    Sandra Chance]
    R&D Technical Specialist
    Keysight Technologies
    Santa Rosa California
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-11-2019 02:05 PM
    ​Sandra,

    In my experience, it didn't come easy. You have the great advantage of working at a mechanical engineering company (what do you do there?). Best advice is, be patient as opportunities will come and you have to be prepared for them. There's plenty of overlapping between civil and mechanical engineering, particularly in structural engineering as well as a clear understanding of mechanics is very important for other civil engineering disciplines. I graduated with my Bachelors in 2011, worked few years in non-engineering jobs but always stayed positive, went back to school. Finally got a very cool engineering job 7 years later (2018). Education and LOTS patience were key in my case.


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    Urso Campos Ph.D., EIT, A.M.ASCE
    GeoEngineers Inc.
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-11-2019 03:10 PM
    Urso, 

    Thank you for your feedback. As an R&D Technical specialist, I assist the engineer by doing his or her design work that he or she doesn't have time to do. Best of all I love this job because I love designing.

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    Sandra Chance
    R&D Technical Specialist
    Keysight Technologies
    Santa Rosa California
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Experience

    Posted 09-13-2019 12:43 PM
    Hey Sandra,
    I am currently starting my Junior year at the University of Central Florida. Since November of last year I was able to secure a really good internship with a transportation company. Prior to this job I had no experience in the field, but if it helps these are the things that I have learned:
    1. Be confident. Make sure you believe in your capabilities and potential more than anyone, back this up with your commitment, positivity, and a list of habits that make you great. (As others have mentioned punctuality, teamwork...) Moreover, if you have a passion outside of engineering do not be afraid to show it. (I know people that have gotten jobs after speaking for an hour in an interview on a mutual passion for a specific sport, and also companies that do things outside of engineering like sports/volunteer events that might be attracted to you because of that)
    2. Have a resume. I am pretty sure you have a resume by now but not only that, make sure to have a story that backs what is listed in the resume and that is tied to some of your great qualities. You can also strengthen the presentation of your resume by going to resume critiques.
    3. Do extracurricular. Literally anything from the arts to sports and cars or history can help you. This is mainly because people like to work with actual people, not robots, people that have a charisma and that have passions that they can bring in to the company. Aim high in any organizations you join, and truly take them seriously, a lot of the things you learn when are applicable. In addition, make sure every time you feel you grew from an event you were part of, write down a summary of what happened, how you think you grew, and how you manifested any of those characteristics.
    4. Do not be afraid. As long as you are confident and honest with yourself, you should have nothing to fear. Even "no"'s are learning experiences. So go to career fairs, go to mock interviews, go to real interviews, practice an elevator pitch, talk to people, drop your resume. As a Sophomore taking Statics I would have never expected anyone to want to hire me. Getting out of my comfort zone made me realize there is a great deal I did not know and actually missing out on.
    Lastly, I feel like showing a lot of what I have mentioned trumps the request for experience. At the end of the day most of the things you need to do in the field, you learn on the field. Do not stick to one company, apply to as many as you can.
    I wish you the best in this journey!


    Sincerely, 
    Ernest J. Gonzalez
    Civil and Construction Engineering Undergraduate
    University of Central Florida



    Original Message


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