Second degree for engineers for more job opportunities?

unlucky_
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Hello, I'm a relatively new electrical engineering graduate based in Canada and I can't find any work. I receive lots of interviews but those never translate to offers. It appears that my experience and education are insignificant. Obviously this can't continue so I have two options. 1) Find a second certificate/diploma/degree somewhat related to electrical that will actually yield a job through a practicum which my degree did not have or 2) quit this field entirely and start again but I don't know in what. I am limited financially so preferably something online would be best. I've attached my CV below. Looking forward to your feedback and advice. Thanks.
 

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@unlucky_
(typing in this compose box is malfunctioning. apparently, the underscore character is part of the member's username.)
I have not looked at your C.V. but in case you want to try changing fields, would you imagine teaching English As A Second Language could be a possible talent? You may already have some qualiftying starting course credit and would need still some more education including teacher preparation courses and to earn a license or credential. E.S.L. is big business in many districts. Big demand! Districts at certain levels want teachers who know how to teach E.S.L.


edit: found misunderstanding about composition field
 
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unlucky_ said:
@symbolipoint
Not really much of a *talent there.

*Just to be helpfully open-minded, in case you feel an interest, the talent can be developed.
 
Your GPA is redacted out of your CV. Can you say what it was? That's some great project experience you list from school -- was that part of working for a professor or just normal coursework?
 
It's ~4.00, I don't want to say the exact number for obvious reasons but close to it. Those projects were all done independently except for the Machine Learning System which was part of a group project.
 
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That's a challenging situation, and I don't think you're alone.
When you put all of that time and energy into a university degree, particularly in a professional field, its natural to want to come out on the other end with a job waiting for you.
It's difficult for us to randomly offer suggestions without really knowing you, your interests, passions, your learning style etc. but a few thoughts come time mind...

First, are you following up after interviews for feedback? Are there any common threads such as concerns about technical competence, or are you not a good fit for the teams? The key concern I would have is that if the issue is more that you come across as socially awkward, bitter, dispassionate about the position, etc. additional education is unlikely to help you. Instead you might benefit more from interview training and practice, which you should be able to get from your former university.

If the issue is a lack of experience, you might think about volunteer work you could get involved with. Joint a robotics team or club, go back to your university and see if you could help out a professor with a research project. One of my sons is heavily into RC planes right now and by joining a local club, he's learning a lot about basic electronics--maybe not what you're looking for specifically, but "maker-spaces" are usually happy when skilled people come in and can offer mentorship. This kind of thing can also provide major networking opportunities.

If the problem really is a lack of marketable skills, I'd start by taking a deep dive on what skills you have, what skills employers appear to be looking for in the kinds of positions you see yourself being most successful in, and where the gaps are in the Venn diagram overlap. Those gaps can be filled in by a number of ways. If, for example, you need more experience coding in Python, maybe just take on a project that will allow you to put something up on Github.
 
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A completely impression-based opinion below:

unlucky_ said:
Find a second certificate/diploma/degree
I do not recommend that at this point. Your experiences so far are great, but lacking focus: further widening your focus - well, I don't think it would help.

unlucky_ said:
I receive lots of interviews but those never translate to offers. It appears that my experience and education are insignificant.
First, I would seek some IRL counseling about job seeking. With all these references I suspect that there should be an issue you are not aware.

What I see in your CV, is that you appear as a runaway Swiss army knife instead of a focused team player. But that's just an impression through the internet - you should seek personal, IRL advice.
 

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