Job Skills Degrees with actual guaranteed jobs after graduation?

[Choppy]

How does that work exactly? Most companies only have their career page with details explaining the job description and what the company does as a whole, their goals, etc. The only people that I can contact from those sites are either recruiters or the hiring management, neither of which show any interest in responding or replying. So which people exactly should I talk to? I even apply to jobs in person and they simply tell me to apply online and are not even interested in hearing what I have to say or even explain what they do.

Invest time in learning the details about a position that you're really interested in... look for job shadow opportunities
Okay so far so good. Where do you find these job shadow opportunities?

see if there is anyone you can talk to people in the company (even if they have no influence on hiring), learn about the specifics of the position you're interested in by talking to people who do similar work in other companies
They don't at best they give some general information that doesn't help at all and at best tell you to apply online.

do volunteer work to build up a base of experience, find out if the company/office ever has open house days and attend, go to conferences relevant to the work the company does and find out what kind of people typically get hired into the position you're interested in.

This is all very up in the air and theoretical. Which conferences and where do I find them? Who organizes those conferences? Where is their contact information? Where do I go? Which site are they on? All this information is hidden from me, so I don't know exactly how that will help.

First off, I get that this is not easy. It can sound straight forward when posting on an internet forum, but actually finding contacts, approaching people, initiating conversations, etc. is challenging--even more so if the skill set for this doesn't come to you naturally. Kudos for persisting.

To be fair, I'm not an electrical engineer, but there are some parallels with my own field.

Job shadow opportunities... I had a student come for a job shadow a couple of months ago. He had contacted my manager and simply explained his situation... where he was at in his studies, that he had an interest in the field and he was specific about asking for a job shadow.

Another big option for generating network contracts is volunteering with a national association or organization. In Canadian medical physics, that would be COMP. In the US it would be AAPM. I'm not sure what the equivalent would be for electrical engineering. These groups have committees that write up policies, organize conferences, conduct surveys of the membership, coordinate educational activities, etc. Volunteering is a way of networking in a way that adds value... other people in the field get to know you by working with you, and it becomes something relevant to add to your CV.

Conferences... are there no conferences in your field? How do electrical engineers keep up to date with recent advances? How do the major companies showcase their products? In my field the conferences tend to be quite research oriented, but not entirely so. Admittedly attendance may not be cheap, so it's worth doing your research before hand. But this is where you can talk to people quite freely.

Keep in mind that AI is often used to screen applications so maybe you are not getting past its review. - that's why I always use AI to format my applications.

This could be a flag.
Again, I'm not your field, but if they're detecting AI use in an application, there's a good chance it's going into the auto-reject pile. For one, they might think you're just a bot and not worth investing any time in pursuing as a legitimate applicant. Second, they might think that you're not taking the time to apply to them personally, and if you're not putting effort into the application that doesn't bode well for your prospects as an employee. (Note that I'm not accusing you of not putting the time in... just suggesting that you could be getting automatically rejected because the algorithm is filtering against you.)

 

[berkeman]

Admittedly attendance may not be cheap

For engineering conferences and trade shows, the pass for the exhibit floor is usually free, and you only need to pay to attend the technical lectures and sessions. There is plenty of networking opportunity on a typical exhibit floor, IMO.

 

[Dale]

they are giving you feedback on you.
2. I'm sorry but that doesn't really make sense

You need somebody to tell you, from the outside, how you appear to an interviewer.

When I did this I had a teacher do a mock “interview”. They pointed out a nervous habit I had of wiggling my foot that was very distracting for them but that I didn’t even realize I did. It had nothing to do with engineering, it was feedback on me. I couldn't see what I was doing and I needed that outside critical perspective from someone I trusted.

Similarly with resumes and cover letters.

1. I always mention I am open to relocation.

Good. Are you also applying for opportunities outside of your local area?

I didn't mention I am unemployable because I have no experience because it is trivial reason as to why someone would be unemployed.

I agree. It is a reason but it is rather trivial. You should still work on that reason, but also look for bigger reasons.

You have applied for >1000 positions over 3 years and had no offers. There is some normal statistical variation in the length of a job search. 9 months to 18 months is pretty normal, but in that 9 - 18 month time frame a search should have resulted in dozens of first interviews, many call backs, and at least a couple of offers. Your case of 3 years with nothing is way outside of normal statistical variation. Since it is so far outside of normal variation there must be a concrete reason or reasons that your search is not producing results. You have to find those reasons and address them or you will continue to have an unproductive search.

they told me to simply experiment with everything (which is what I'm doing)

Are you? What experiments have you run?

You mentioned tailoring your cover letter and resume and doing a bunch of research on the company. Have you tried making a generic letter and resume and blasting it out to 5 or 10 times as many companies as you would normally do in a day?

You mentioned using AI to format your resume. Have you tried a non-AI formatted resume for a set of positions?

You mentioned contradictory advice. Have you tried both sides of the contradictory advice on different groups of applications?

Maybe they don't like my physical characteristics? That's the only other thing I can think of.

That is certainly possible. Have your feedback person specifically advise you on that.

I am also an introvert by nature so it just played out that way.

Introversion is interesting. I am also an introvert, and my daughter who takes after me is pretty strongly introverted as well. She also went through college around the same time that you did with similar online schooling and online professors.

Introversion is a personality trait, not a behavior. If you are introverted, then certain social behaviors will be more difficult for you, but can still be done. For example, eye contact, confident body posture, and speaking at a good volume. Those are all behaviors that can be learned and performed by introverts as well as extroverts. Unless an employer administers a personality test, they will base their decisions on your behaviors rather than your personality. If you work on your social behaviors then you do not need to be at any disadvantage, but this is something that you should specifically ask your feedback person to advise you on. Mock interviews are a good tool for that.

I have no social or neurological disorder. I'm not defective if you must know

Neurodivergence isn't defectiveness (at least not at "high functioning" levels). My neurodivergent son is not defective, he has normal traits that are present in everyone but just expressed in him at higher levels than in most people. Because he is neurodivergent he simply needs to adapt accordingly. Don't call neurodivergent people "defective", it is rude.

With that I am done with this thread. Best of luck on your job search. There are concrete reasons that you (specifically and individually) are having such trouble. I hope you can find them. If you don't like the methods I have suggested, then feel free to find those reasons using your own methods. But don't stop until you have clarity on the reasons.

 

[phinds]

that's why I always use AI to format my applications.

That could be part of your problem right there. Human reviewers might find your applications stilted and AI reviewers might automatically recognize and reject an application that is too heavily influenced by AI.

Your resume needs to make you sound human, and with some strong interests in <whatever>.

 

[gleem]

Do you have a Linkedin account? It is a professional social networking service that give you an opportunity to network with persons in your field, find companies you might be interested in, and basically advertise yourself. Sometimes, those working at a company and needing to fill a position can speed up the hiring process by recommending an applicant that HR has missed. A recommendation by an employee can carry a lot of weight. You also might get some insights on the industry that could prove useful.

 

[DaveC426913]

Again, I'm not your field, but if they're detecting AI use in an application, there's a good chance it's going into the auto-reject pile.

The paradox here, of course, (if you'll indulge the meta-discussion for a moment) is that they all use AI to read and rate the resumes before any human ever sees them. They look for all the keywords and phrases that are in the job description and simply skim off the top of the pile the few per cent that have the highest keyword count.

So, your job as a resume writer is to, in effect, parrot back to them exactly what they are asking for, using as many words as possible that they use - while not making it sound like you're a robot parroting back exactly what they wrote.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[symbolipoint]

Neurodivergence isn't defectiveness (at least not at "high functioning" levels). My neurodivergent son is not defective, he has normal traits that are present in everyone but just expressed in him at higher levels than in most people. Because he is neurodivergent he simply needs to adapt accordingly. Don't call neurodivergent people "defective", it is rude.

An excellent statement that neurodivergence is not a disease and not a defect. With that seemingly accepted, I do not believe that o.p. is saying that he is defective.

 

[symbolipoint]

Do you have a Linkedin account? It is a professional social networking service that give you an opportunity to network with persons in your field, find companies you might be interested in, and basically advertise yourself. Sometimes, those working at a company and needing to fill a position can speed up the hiring process by recommending an applicant that HR has missed. A recommendation by an employee can carry a lot of weight. You also might get some insights on the industry that could prove useful.

A thought has come to me while reading that posting. @pqp, maybe you need to spend some effort actively talking to people directly. Another thought but not knowing exactly to suggest what is, @pqp, you NEED some experience regardless if as a paid job or something unpaid which USES your E.E. skill and knowledge. Any "experience" you had before becomes stale and not worth as much as recently experiences.

 

[DaveC426913]

. Any "experience" you had before becomes stale and not worth as much as recently experiences.

And it's not going to help to have to explain a three year dry spell. It sucks, but an additional red flag employers will hypothesize about is "why are others not hiring this guy?"

 

[russ_watters]

And it's not going to help to have to explain a three year dry spell. It sucks, but an additional red flag employers will hypothesize about is "why are others not hiring this guy?"

Yeah, I don't see that OP answered @StatGuy2000 's question of "what have you been doing these past 3 years?" but he is definitely well into "get a job, any job" territory in order to establish that he can in fact get and hold a job.

 

[symbolipoint]

Possibly a need is upon him to completely reorient his job or career search thinking. Look again at the topic title!

Degrees with actual guaranteed jobs after graduation?​

Something in healthcare or related emergency services come to mind. Such choices would require new training. Maybe also new education.

 

[pqp]

Yeah, I don't see that OP answered @StatGuy2000 's question of "what have you been doing these past 3 years?" but he is definitely well into "get a job, any job" territory in order to establish that he can in fact get and hold a job.

I did a QA testing position and some retail. I only left the QA testing position on my resume as it was somewhat related to electrical. For the retail, I didn't. I'm not sure what to put to fill in these gaps.

 

[pqp]

Possibly a need is upon him to completely reorient his job or career search thinking. Look again at the topic title!

Degrees with actual guaranteed jobs after graduation?​

Something in healthcare or related emergency services come to mind. Such choices would require new training. Maybe also new education.

Something that is at least related to electrical so that I can at least get into electrical engineering in the future.

 

[pqp]

To the others who have posted:

I see quite a few people who are skeptical of the claims made by the OP (i.e. that they have earned a degree in EE 3 years ago, and have been unable to find a job).

Keep in mind that 3 years ago (and earlier, when the OP was a student) the US and the rest of the world were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, which no doubt affected the OP's chances of getting internships, as well as affected their ability to build meaningful connections with professors and fellow students (factors that would have helped with the networking that is key to gaining meaningful employment).

To the OP:

1. What have you been doing during the 3 years since you have completed your degree? Have you had ANY employment whatsoever? How are you supporting yourself? I ask this because oftentimes, employers have a bias against jobseekers with large gaps in employment records (I suspect that machine-learning filters that HR departments use tend to filter out resumes with such large gaps automatically, although I do not specifically have evidence to back this up).

2. Related to this, what types of jobs are you interested in working in? You mention power electronics -- a quick Google search with the entry "power electronics jobs in the USA) came back with 49 job postings in the entire country at the current moment, although it is possible that somehow I may be missing job entries. Are you open to working in another EE field?

3. Have you tried to contact those in management for an informational interview/chat to ask more about power electronics engineer work? These informational interviews are not a job interview per se, but an opportunity to ask questions and network with those who may be in a position to hire people in the future.

1. one QA Testing position and retail.

2. Yes

3. I only get ghosted.

 

[pqp]

A thought has come to me while reading that posting. @pqp, maybe you need to spend some effort actively talking to people directly. Another thought but not knowing exactly to suggest what is, @pqp, you NEED some experience regardless if as a paid job or something unpaid which USES your E.E. skill and knowledge. Any "experience" you had before becomes stale and not worth as much as recently experiences.

I have a linkedin account.

 

[pqp]

A thought has come to me while reading that posting. @pqp, maybe you need to spend some effort actively talking to people directly. Another thought but not knowing exactly to suggest what is, @pqp, you NEED some experience regardless if as a paid job or something unpaid which USES your E.E. skill and knowledge. Any "experience" you had before becomes stale and not worth as much as recently experiences.

So sending cold emails to express my interest to as many different people.

 

[symbolipoint]

I have a linkedin account.

So sending cold emails to express my interest to as many different people.

Not what I was suggesting! TALK to people, without any impeding form of technology in the way. The idea is to make some impact onto people without putting the communicating into text form.

 

[pqp]

Not what I was suggesting! TALK to people, without any impeding form of technology in the way. The idea is to make some impact onto people without putting the communicating into text form.

So cold calls then.

 

[symbolipoint]

So cold calls then.

That would help but is not enough. Cold-calling might be better if some announcement from you that a possible near future call may occur.

 

[pqp]

That would help but is not enough. Cold-calling might be better if some announcement from you that a possible near future call may occur.

Okay, then how am I supposed to approach anyone? I don't know anyone and have no connections. I can meet people at conferences sure. But the chances are very slim.

 

[symbolipoint]

Okay, then how am I supposed to approach anyone? I don't know anyone and have no connections. I can meet people at conferences sure. But the chances are very slim.

Something that in some places at some time periods which had been helpful, in the past, was to take a visit carrying a resume with you, to a company directly, enter the front office and plainly tell your interest, and briefly. I am not sure if this is a welcomed method today.

If you do something like that, do not expect to obtain an interview, but be ready just in case. If the method is acceptable, the front office person might, just might do nothing more than agree to receive your provided resume; and may or may not give it to somebody to read, inspect, and make an initial assessment.

 

[Rive]

overqualified for a technician job, but it might be a place to start and prove yourself

That one.

I too live in an area where there are lot more EE graduates than actual EE jobs, and the ratio of graduates who gets EE jobs for their first employment are well below 30% even for the 'elite' universities here. Pretty common thing.
(And, to be honest - those who have actual EE job right after graduation are mostly already employed before graduation...)

Also, in this area not all EE-jobs are taken by EE graduates. Experience rules, indeed.

But: these days you have more ways to prove yourself and get experience: personal projects, community projects, contract jobs...

Just one thing I feel about your helplessness: if you did not do any EE thing by your own interest during the last few years what would worth a mention in a CV as experience, then you may not be interested enough to be a 'real EE' and should aim 'lower'.

So - what do you have in the bag? What EE thing did you do in these years?

 

[CrysPhys]

Something that is at least related to electrical so that I can at least get into electrical engineering in the future.

It's still not clear in which country you are in and which country you are a citizen of. But have you considered becoming an electrician? You can start with becoming an assistant to a licensed electrician and then become a licensed electrician yourself (requirements depend on locale). That's training that would be of use to a future career as an EE in power electronics (your target). If EE is not in your cards, then in many countries, demand for electricians is fairly high.

 

[symbolipoint]

It's still not clear in which country you are in and which country you are a citizen of. But ha

Did he say, "Canada"?

 

[CrysPhys]

Did he say, "Canada"?

He did indeed in one post; but that was followed by this Admin comment:

That is not where you are posting from.

Early on, there was this Admin comment:

Using my PF Admin powers I can see that you are not in the US.

And I commented in a follow-up post that the OP's profile reads US (which it still does).

By the way, if you are not in the US, why does your profile say US? Proper guidance requires accurate input.

So to me it's not clear where this guy is and what their nationality is, which info is factual and which is not. This info is highly critical to job opportunities, since job markets vary substantially with locale and the viability of relocating to other countries varies substantially with nationality of applicant and visa policies of the receiving countries.

 

[StatGuy2000]

3. I only get ghosted.

You stated in another reply that you have a LinkedIn account. You do have the option of finding people in more senior positions near your area on LinkedIn and ask to talk to people.

It is also important that you approach people in a way that does not come across as "I'm desperate for a job" but more like "I'm interested in learning more about your role, your company, and other similar opportunities".

When you approach people, how do you do it? Can you send us a copy of your e-mail introducing yourself?

 

[pqp]

That one.

I too live in an area where there are lot more EE graduates than actual EE jobs, and the ratio of graduates who gets EE jobs for their first employment are well below 30% even for the 'elite' universities here. Pretty common thing.
(And, to be honest - those who have actual EE job right after graduation are mostly already employed before graduation...)

Also, in this area not all EE-jobs are taken by EE graduates. Experience rules, indeed.

But: these days you have more ways to prove yourself and get experience: personal projects, community projects, contract jobs...

Just one thing I feel about your helplessness: if you did not do any EE thing by your own interest during the last few years what would worth a mention in a CV as experience, then you may not be interested enough to be a 'real EE' and should aim 'lower'.

So - what do you have in the bag? What EE thing did you do in these years?

No offence, but your question doesn't really make sense. If I didn't have any interest in EE then I wouldn't be doing any projects or if I did they would be low quality. None of my projects are low quality or trivial and in fact go way beyond graduate level. I don't know what aim lower means.

 

[pqp]

Did he say, "Canada"?

I'm based in Canada correct.

 

[pqp]

He did indeed in one post; but that was followed by this Admin comment:



Early on, there was this Admin comment:



And I commented in a follow-up post that the OP's profile reads US (which it still does).



So to me it's not clear where this guy is and what their nationality is, which info is factual and which is not. This info is highly critical to job opportunities, since job markets vary substantially with locale and the viability of relocating to other countries varies substantially with nationality of applicant and visa policies of the receiving countries.

I'm based in Canada.

 

[pqp]

It's still not clear in which country you are in and which country you are a citizen of. But have you considered becoming an electrician? You can start with becoming an assistant to a licensed electrician and then become a licensed electrician yourself (requirements depend on locale). That's training that would be of use to a future career as an EE in power electronics (your target). If EE is not in your cards, then in many countries, demand for electricians is fairly high.

That would require an entirely new education and I don't have the money for it. And besides I'm not interested in it either. It's also very uncertain in terms of career prospects which would make it a bad idea.