Senior in Engineering Physics: Job search advice

[KrevinL]

Hello all,

I'm a senior in Engineering Physics, about to graduate in May with a bachelors, and I'm looking for a job. I'm not sure where to look. What kinds of companies hire people like me (especially companies in Illinois)? The classes I've taken include the basic physics core (mechanics and relativity, E&M, some quantum, classical lab) and some programming classes(mostly learned basics about Java, C++, data structures, and graphics with OpenGL). I'm not sure what jobs need someone like me since I seem to only be able to find jobs for mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and software engineers(I don't think I know enough about computer science to be a software engineer, I mostly just know how to do programming in the languages I mentioned).

So basically, if anyone could give me suggestions about specific types of entry level jobs I might be able to do or what companies(preferably in Illinois) I could apply at, I would appreciate it. So please share your insight/personal experiences.

Thanks

 

[kote]

It's very late in the cycle to be looking for a job honestly, and in this economy you might not have the best luck restricting yourself to Illinois. I recommend checking larger companies for entry level rotational programs. They mostly don't care what flavor of engineer you are, but they will have filled at least 90% of their slots by this point too. Besides that, make sure you are working with career services and professors to network as much as possible with alumni from your school. See if any of them have any openings for you.

Good luck.

 

[creepypasta13]

I'm not sure what jobs need someone like me since I seem to only be able to find jobs for mechanical engineers, civil engineers

i wish i could get an ME position with just a physics major...

It's very late in the cycle to be looking for a job honestly, and in this economy you might not have the best luck restricting yourself to Illinois. I recommend checking larger companies for entry level rotational programs. They mostly don't care what flavor of engineer you are, but they will have filled at least 90% of their slots by this point too. Besides that, make sure you are working with career services and professors to network as much as possible with alumni from your school. See if any of them have any openings for you.

Good luck.

is it really too late? I keep seeing some new listings on indeed.com. As for applying for the large companies, I heard that at some companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, about 90% of the positions are filled by referrals from friends and family, so you're screwed if you don't know anyone who works there..

 

[fasterthanjoao]

is it really too late? I keep seeing some new listings on indeed.com.

New graduate recruitment, particularly graduate programmes, is normally done from september to around february - for a start the following september. So yes, it is late - not 'too late', there will still be jobs available from either programmes that weren't filled (less likely) or smaller companies that can't/don't want to recruit nearly a year in advance.

As for applying for the large companies, I heard that at some companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, about 90% of the positions are filled by referrals from friends and family, so you're screwed if you don't know anyone who works there..

I doubt that very much, and even if it were true it isn't helpful. These companies are big enough that they can afford to be extremely choosy over any new employees - that's why they have applicant days and interviews that can last days. They won't get the best people from only hiring friends. Otherwise, I don't really know anything about recruitment in your area - surely you can speak to the university careers service? I would imagine they'll have a book themselves, or one that is published by another party that shows common destinations for graduates in your discipline. In the UK, we have several such publications that are released yearly, and are generally books of adverts for companies that are looking to recruit in your sector. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Options_with_your_subject/p!eXbLc is one such example.

 

[kote]

Right... it's not so late that you should give up, it's just later than would be ideal. Large companies recruit mostly from their own intern pools. Yes, having a connection very much helps, but you make those connections as an intern or through networking with alumni etc. The family referral is not likely to go over too well, and I haven't seen any of that where I work.