What do all the useless engineering graduates do for work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the employment prospects of engineering graduates, particularly those perceived as struggling to find meaningful work. Participants explore various factors influencing job opportunities and the perceived value of engineering degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that having a good attitude may influence job outcomes, while others sarcastically question this notion.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of diagnosing the reasons behind job difficulties, listing factors such as job availability, application rates, and interviewing skills.
  • Another participant shares personal experience of taking low-paying jobs and the necessity of job-hopping for salary increases, suggesting a broader trend beyond engineering.
  • There is a discussion about the distinction between the perceived uselessness of engineering degrees versus the individuals holding those degrees.
  • Communication skills are highlighted as a critical factor in securing good jobs, alongside attitude and other skills.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reasons behind job struggles for engineering graduates, with no consensus on whether the issue lies with the degrees themselves or the graduates' attitudes and skills.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the original question, indicating a lack of clarity in the discussion's focus. The conversation includes personal anecdotes and subjective interpretations of job market dynamics.

nnjoo
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Apart from digging ditches and qa testing what jobs is one supposed to do?
 
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Only the ones with bad attitudes get bad jobs.
 
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So your proposal is: bad attitude -> good attitude. Problem solved. /s.
 
It definitely helps.
 
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marcusl said:
It definitely helps.
Sure it does. /s.
 
OP: Not sure how to parse your question. Is it (1) the "engineering degrees" per se that are useless; or is it (2) the "engineering graduates" who are useless? If you mean (2), then, well, useless persons are useless persons, regardless of whether they are engineering graduates or not; and by definition, useless persons have no use; so what's your point?
 
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If you have an engineering degree from a good program with good grades then you should be able to find a job with a reasonable amount of effort. If that isn't happening then it is important to diagnose the actual issue.

1) Availability of positions in your area (can you relocate)
2) Rate of application (should be submitting multiple per day, spending several hours)
3) Interviewing skills (practice and training)
4) ...

There has to be an actual reason.
 
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nnjoo said:
Apart from digging ditches and qa testing what jobs is one supposed to do?
My experience is we usually take low paying jobs in industry/design and struggle...I gave up. I'm a stay at home dad now(bad attitude). If you want money then you must constantly change jobs (usually for increased salary - and not really increased knowledge/skill). Learn how to talk a big game...by the time you are figured out you are already on to the next job with a raise. I've seen many others do it, it's not unique to engineering. There is a balance though, if you rise too high your wax wings will be melted by the sun...be careful of the investment bankers. Good luck.
 
CrysPhys said:
OP: Not sure how to parse your question. Is it (1) the "engineering degrees" per se that are useless; or is it (2) the "engineering graduates" who are useless? If you mean (2), then, well, useless persons are useless persons, regardless of whether they are engineering graduates or not; and by definition, useless persons have no use; so what's your point?
Then don't reply if you're that confused. It's not rocket science.
 
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nnjoo said:
Then don't reply if you're that confused. It's not rocket science.
No, it's not rocket science. It's a matter of good communication skills ... which (along with the aforementioned good attitude and other factors) are also key to landing good jobs.
 
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  • #11
Thread closed for Moderation and troll patrol...
 
  • #12
This thread got some surprisingly good answers and has run its course so it will remain closed.
 

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