- #1
gfd43tg
Gold Member
- 950
- 50
Hello,
I recently graduated with my BS in Chemical Engineering, and for the past couple months I have been trying to get my first entry level position and haven't found anything. I've applied online (so far I'm sitting at about 60 applications) and I keep an excel spreadsheet with the company, contact info, and job title. I follow up 1 week later with every company to see where I stand as a candidate. I have almost exhausted my entire network that I am aware of and haven't been able to get something from in-person networking. I went to a manufacturing & design expo near my home recently and went to various booths for companies to hand in my resume. I literally drive business park to business park to hand in resumes to any companies that look related to what I studied. I am discouraged about finding something as it seems for every position I apply, there are probably around 50 applicants.
I just don't know what to do to stand out, I write a personalized cover letter for every application. I'm going to join a few professional societies (American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Engineers without Borders) in my local area to try and network.
I know getting into oil & gas right now is nearly impossible, but I thought there would at least be SOMETHING I can get into. I've applied to virtually every industry I can think of that chemical engineers might work.
Anyone have additional advice beyond the standard advice for getting a first job? I went to a top 5 program for my major for crying out loud! I am still amazed that getting a job is this difficult!
Thanks
I recently graduated with my BS in Chemical Engineering, and for the past couple months I have been trying to get my first entry level position and haven't found anything. I've applied online (so far I'm sitting at about 60 applications) and I keep an excel spreadsheet with the company, contact info, and job title. I follow up 1 week later with every company to see where I stand as a candidate. I have almost exhausted my entire network that I am aware of and haven't been able to get something from in-person networking. I went to a manufacturing & design expo near my home recently and went to various booths for companies to hand in my resume. I literally drive business park to business park to hand in resumes to any companies that look related to what I studied. I am discouraged about finding something as it seems for every position I apply, there are probably around 50 applicants.
I just don't know what to do to stand out, I write a personalized cover letter for every application. I'm going to join a few professional societies (American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Engineers without Borders) in my local area to try and network.
I know getting into oil & gas right now is nearly impossible, but I thought there would at least be SOMETHING I can get into. I've applied to virtually every industry I can think of that chemical engineers might work.
Anyone have additional advice beyond the standard advice for getting a first job? I went to a top 5 program for my major for crying out loud! I am still amazed that getting a job is this difficult!
Thanks