What will be your choice -- career question?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around career choices for a new graduate in mechanical engineering facing challenges in the job market. Participants explore various options presented by a businessman, including pursuing further education, managing a resort, and starting a business, while expressing concerns about the implications of these choices on future career prospects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) presents multiple career options suggested by a businessman, including pursuing a master's degree, managing a resort, running a printing press, or continuing the job search in engineering.
  • Some participants advise the OP to keep looking for engineering work, suggesting that recent experience and a degree may open future opportunities.
  • Concerns are raised about the legitimacy of the businessman's offers, particularly regarding the resort management opportunity, which some view as potentially too good to be true.
  • One participant questions the OP's understanding of the situation, implying that there may be more to consider than what has been shared.
  • Another participant suggests that if the OP dislikes research, pursuing a PhD may not be suitable, and instead recommends considering a professional master's degree aligned with specific interests.
  • There is a mention of the declining print industry, with caution advised regarding involvement in the printing press venture.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of caution and encouragement regarding the OP's options. While some suggest continuing the search for engineering jobs, others highlight the risks associated with the businessman's proposals. No consensus is reached on the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the competitive job market for new graduates in Canada and the OP's concerns about gaining relevant experience for future employment. There is uncertainty regarding the viability and legitimacy of the business opportunities presented.

Who May Find This Useful

New graduates in engineering or related fields, individuals considering career changes, and those interested in entrepreneurship may find the discussion relevant.

Neeman
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Let me introduce myself. I am a new graduate in mechanical engineering, with almost 2 years of co-op experience. I have been applying jobs for 2 months and had couple of phone interviews and one regular interview. To be honest, Canadian job market is not doing well for the new graduates and there are too many applicants with experience. Many of my friends are in the unemployed condition. I have a fairly good GPA(8.2/10) too.

Recently I met a business man in the conference and we talked about a lot of things. He told me about the business world and promised to help me using his contacts. Days later, he called me and gave me four options

1. He told me knowledge is better choice, so pursue masters and thereby PHD program. Then people will respect you and seek your advise (University already offered me full scholarship masters program). But I am not a research type person and tried voluntary research after graduation, didn't really enjoy it. So I like to work and more result oriented type.

2. He is installing a printing press in a different province and requires someone to run the whole business. Profit sharing will be there with zero investment from my side.( My investment is my time and effort)

3. He have engineering contacts, from there I can start volunteering in engineering firm and get employed after couple of months.

4. He have plans to purchase a resort, and want me to run it as resort manager. An equal share of resort worth $200,000 will be given and some salary for survival. Profit will be shared equally between 3 shareholders including me. I can live in the resort for free. ( My investment is again my time and effort)

5. Keep looking for engineering job and hopefully get something.(this is my extra option)

Personally, I like option 4 even though it is a lot of work. As for my interests, I enjoy business and management very much.

But I am worried that if I am risking my career here. If in scenario, I did not like resort management much after 1-2 years, I do not know if companies will take me due to lack of experience.

Can you guys provide some input in this matter? Any suggestions will be helpful.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Keep looking for engineering work. Think about possible career changes later, since you have recent experience and just earned your degree.
 
It seems like there's more to this story. I hope that's just because you're trying to keep it short and not because you don't know that extra parts. Unless I'm missing something, you met a guy at a conference and he's willing to give you half of a $200k, resort just to go work for him? That's quite a signing bonus for someone right out of school... so to me it sounds like a serious red flag. If you do pursue this, make sure you get things in writing.

Printing press? You know I did hear a story on the CBC the other day about how local, physical papers are doing well because there's demand for local news that often isn't available online. But I'd still think hard about getting involved in a business like that. Not that I know anything about the industry, but I'm pretty sure print has been dying a slow and agonizing death for a long time now.

If you know you don't like research, a PhD is not for you. You could consider a professional master's degree if that's going to build up a skill set for a certain area that you have a strong interest in. I wouldn't pursue graduate studies just for more "respect" though.

This person might be able to give you a few connections. If he can, great. Pursue those. But I'd be wary of deals that sound too good to be true.
 
Neeman said:
Let me introduce myself. I am a new graduate in mechanical engineering, with almost 2 years of co-op experience. I have been applying jobs for 2 months and had couple of phone interviews and one regular interview. To be honest, Canadian job market is not doing well for the new graduates and there are too many applicants with experience. Many of my friends are in the unemployed condition. I have a fairly good GPA(8.2/10) too.

In what parts of Canada have you looked for a job? Coast-to-coast?
 
There's a saying: Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions.

It looks like this "businessman" is trying to give you a lot of experience.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Logical Dog
Sounds too good to be true.
 

Similar threads

Engineering Trouble with choosing how to shape my engineering career
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Job Skills Possibilities of a Career in Physics/Engineering
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Engineering Mechanical Engineer looking for Career Advice
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Physics Should I apply to do an astrophysics PhD or stick with an engineering job?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
Other Is Pursuing a Career in Physics the Right Choice for Me?
  • · Replies 62 ·
3
Replies
62
Views
10K
Engineering Is a career in Optics/Photonics engineering right for me?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Other Considering a career shift and seeking general guidance
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Physics Need career guidance after masters in physics
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K
Job Skills Overwhelmed by Choices: Seeking Advice on Staying Engaged with Project
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Job Skills Physics Careers: Expectations vs. Reality
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K