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  • 1.  E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 07-10-2017 09:39 AM
    I have been looking for an E.I.T. Civil Engineering position for the last five years here in Colorado. What areas of the country have the most jobs? 

    Thanks in advance.


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    Joseph Egry M.S., EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Thornton CO
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  • 2.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 07-11-2017 12:20 PM

    I would think ASCE might have statistics on that.  Southern California is certainly growing.  I don't know who is hiring right now, but if you haven't already, talk with some of the big firms, Stantec, AECOM, Bechtel...  IF you don't get an offer from them, perhaps one of the business leaders can offer you advice on relocating.

     

    Dan Chase

    Stantec
    1327 Del Norte Road Camarillo CA 93010-9123
    Office Phone: (805) 981-0706 Ext 103

    Direct Phone: 805 322-1665

    Cell: 805 233 0900
    Fax: (805) 981-0251
    Dan.Chase@...

     

     

     

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 10-17-2017 02:20 PM
    This discussion has caught my attention, not only on this site, but at many other places, virtually or in person. I'm a recent graduate with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering Technology. Before going for my Bachelors, I got an Associates in the same area. My plan was to go straight for entry level jobs with my Associates but my professor me to continue straight for my Bachelors because it was very difficult if not impossible for me to get a job with only an Associates degree and very limited job experience to show on my resume. Almost every job I had while in school has nothing to do with engineering/construction. But that was what I could find to help me while in school. The question is how do companies expect students to gain experience if none of them will open entry level and/or internship positions to help students gain the exposure and experience they need to add to their resumes? After I got my Bachelors, I still see nothing changing. Everyone I show my resume to talks about my limited job experience and the formatting of my resume. They have made me understand that recruiters are using resume filtering software to pick the best resumes. That's fine for them but I don't think the best resume will always present the best or most qualified candidate. I have seen sites where people are taking over $200 to write resumes for job seekers. How do you call that kind of practice? Whatever the case maybe, all I want to say is that recruiters and managers should consider things like the applicant's interests and commitment to education for entry level positions rather than being over demanding for experience and a professionally written resume. Using the resume filtering software may seem to be helpful to them, but but applying some common sense judgement and being considerate of the fact that students and recent graduates can not have job experience on campus. They need to start with some company. I am currently preparing for the FE exam, but I being a recent graduate, I can't still understand why it should be so difficult finding entry level positions and internship. In my senior year at college, I applied for internship but some of the responses I was getting were unbelievable. I didn't know that an applicant needs to have a lot of experience to be considered for an internship. This is really serious.

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    Fallah Willie S.M.ASCE
    Student, Old Dominion University
    Norfolk VA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 10-18-2017 02:22 PM
    Most schools have programs that help entry level graduates get employed.  Use them aggressively.  This will include a resume writing, and cover letter writing advisor.   If you have not graduated, apply for an internship, and take a semester off school.  Internships do not pay well, but they get your foot in the door.  With engineering technology, I would be applying to surveying and environmental engineering internships.  They fit reasonably well.

      These are jobs which people are looking for entry level people.  The only experience that they are looking for is:
    1. ability to complete tasks on time
    2. ability to learn new skills.
    3. ability to follow directions.
    4. what you do outside of school.

    Item 3 is what gets most resumes rejected.  If you do not complete every line on the form in accordance with the directions given, then you have not learned to follow directions.


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    Dwayne Culp, Ph.D., P.E., P.Eng, M.ASCE
    Culp Engineering, LLC
    Richmond TX
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 07-12-2017 12:34 PM
    Massachusetts and in particular Boston. I recently left the area but it has been booming for a while now.

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    Katrina Kalafatis P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer III
    Park City UT
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: E.I.T. Positions
    Best Answer

    Posted 07-12-2017 12:34 PM
    Joseph:
    I have been following your email discussion on the internet at ASCE. I have also looked at your BIO. You have what should be a strong resume. I think the problem is in how you are presenting your information. Can you send me your resume, and I will review it for you. Looking at your BIO, I see some things that need to be explained a little better, such as why you had an EI position while working at an analytical lab.

    Given the amount of years that you have, I think maybe a more project focused resume might work better, rather than a position focused resume.  This means listing your positions and titles very tightly, and focusing on the things you do well in the rest.  I do not see dates when you did your education.  This might explain some of the overlaps in education.

    I agree with Dan, in that you should focus on the big guys.  All the companies listed have main offices in California, but they have offices all across the world.  I think Jacobs should be added to the list.  I know AECOM, and Jacobs have big offices in Denver, but they also have big offices in Houston TX, Dallas TX, and Pasadena CA.  With your education and experience, I would be looking at the civil side of the petrochemical divisions.

    You need to find an open position you like, tailor your resume for that position, then submit it.  If they have an on-line application process, then you need to fill out every section of their on-line form.  

    I think that you need to spend some time networking through organizations like ASCE.  Given that you were an officer in the armed forces, I would also look at SAME.  I know these organizations are a great place to meet engineers, get to know them, and potentially make relationships that last, and could include offers of employment.   The best way to get a job is via referral.  It is easy to get a referral if you have a volunteer position with one of the organizations, and people see that you know how to work hard.

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    Dwayne Culp P.E., P.Eng, M.ASCE
    Culp Engineering, LLC
    Richmond TX
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 07-13-2017 10:24 AM
    Since you have past military history, I suggest you look at Federal Jobs. The professional class has many non enlisted positions.  They give priority to Veterans. Don't be afraid to take a job  that does not exactly match your history.  Once you are in, you have a greater chance at getting the job you want.  I have seen an engineer move up through the ranks, in my opinion before he should have, by taking jobs in terrible places.  He ended  up in San Diego which is a choice location, and at a high pay grade. In the application you can limit the places you are willing to locate.  Your chances of getting a job are far better if you take any job that comes open.   Just expect the process to move slowly.  Best Wishes,

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    Barbara Salvini P.E., M.ASCE
    Owner
    Barbara A.B. Salvin
    Ramona CA
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 07-13-2017 02:47 PM
    Joseph,

    I recently ended a job search in Colorado, successfully.   Like you, I was changing industries and had some military officer experience.  It seems like a strong job market here, but also quite competitive.

    I am not sure what area of civil engineering you are most interested in. With your background in laboratories and chemistry, you may find success in water and wastewater. The various water and sanitation districts and the larger treatment plants are often considered government positions with veteran's preference.  Public works departments also often have veteran's preference.

    Even though you have been away from the military for many years, there are free veteran's recruiting services that can help get interviews. Many companies are willing to take a chance on prior officers, especially at the EIT level.  Take a look at Orion International, Lucas Group, and Recruitmilitary.com if you have not done so already.  You may not be a typical candidate for them, but with your experience and education they should be able to find opportunities to change industries.  If you are open to a nationwide search there should be a variety of opportunities for you.

    In the Denver area, construction contractors seem to have a lot of opportunities right now, and that is a strong area for veteran officer recruitment - usually at the project engineer level.

    There are many engineering companies and construction contractors here with a reputation for hiring veterans, including AECOM, Tetra Tech, W. E. O'Neill, GE Renewables, etc.

    As far as networking, some resources that helped me were the local ASCE chapter and Engineers Without Borders.  

    All the best,

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    Steven Splitek, P.E., PMP
    Denver, CO
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: E.I.T. Positions

    Posted 07-14-2017 11:03 AM
    After 28 years in a Federal Government career and 13 beyond, plus a decade and more prior I do recommend the Civil Service for an engineer.  Both the Navy and Army have engineering positions providing a wide variety of eventual options in varying places.  In recent years I have gotten to see how limiting positions with one employer in one vocation can be.   The pay might not be as great as some would like, but private companies do not match the training educational opportunities.   The new retirement plan is no longer as good as mind, but the Thrift Savings Plan is still one, if not the best, mutual funds I have.   Responsibility can come very fast putting you in the driver's seat early.  Getting out of your comfort zone can looking back over the decades be very good.

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    Dale N Bickenbach
    Self Employed
    Bickenbach Worldwide Properties
    235 475 5242
    AnnaDale.Bickenbach@...
    United States of America
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    Original Message


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