need career advice!!!
krisliang @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:26 pm
I have hit rock bottom of my life, and desperately need help, Now I don't know what to do in my situation.
I came from China, finished my bachelor's education major in mechanical engineering and automation, worked for a year, then came to Canada, I got a master degree(mechanical engineering again) last year, trying to get an entry level position related to my education background.
Now here is the problem, "experience!!!" I don't have a lot of social contacts to get me an entry level job, and I don't have coop experience since my bachelor education was not in Canada. I figured that I can start from bottom, so I try really hard, and applied literally anything that I can find related to my education background in the whole province.
Finally 3 months later I found one doing CNC machining production in a small shop. So there I was doing production on the floor with a master's degree from a Canadian university, the wage is less than everyone in the shop except the cleaning guy, they give me a week's "training" then I am on my own, luckily I am a quick learner and I can learn by myself, a week after training, I managed to did a job that no one in the shop know how to do before I started working in this shop. One month later, I gained their trust, co-workers started to notice my ability, and began asking for my help, I try my best to do so, fix things, trouble shooting etc. In my mind this is a temp job for me, I don't see myself working on the floor my whole life, there was a lot of overtime, the job keeps me busy, every week I work more than 50 hours, so work life balance, not so much.
A year later, I decided to leave, because I thought I have some experience, maybe I can get a technologist job somewhere else. Boy, I was wrong, I only want to get my career started, wish someone will recognize my ability, and give me a job, I don't need a high pay, minimum wage is fine for me as long as I am gaining experience, I am kind of old-fashioned hard-working guy, no matter what, I work hard to get things done. I have been out off a job for 4 months, and here is what I have seen and been through:
Usually you sent out resume and cover letter, no one responds, when they do responds, I am really happy that I got an interview, you prepare yourself, suited up, bring samples, you know, try your best to sell yourself, after the interview, they said they will get back to you or gave you an answer in a week or so. A day later you write the Thank you note, and then start waiting for the feedback. only to find there are no feedback, you wrote email, made phone calls, left messages... No, no feed back, nothing... Some company even got you drive 4 hours for an interview, and don't even inform you after they promised to give you an answer in a week.
Occasionally, there were some positions can get my hopes up, I thought I am a perfect fit for that job opening at company A, I tailored my resume and submitted it, only to find that they don't even bother to contact me, then I showed up in person, left a resume at reception, still nothing. A month later I found a similar position at another company B, It is so obvious that the company A recruitted the person working for company B, and company B is now looking for someone to fill up the opening. Then I figured, this was butterfly effect, eventually I will find a company that is willing to hire me, so I sent my resume again to company B, these things comes in a continuous loop, until the last company is too cheap to hire someone, they just divide the workload to existing employees and the butterfly effect ends.
Here is what I am thinking, everyone was once inexperienced, when you saw a job posting online, there are no company posting no experience required, they all started from one to three year related experience. I mean how did this happened? Am I supposed to work for free for the first two years or even three years to get a job that pays? I really put myself out there, I even start to looking for jobs on kijiji, posted my resume there, willing to work for free in probation period, still no one answer my post although over 200 visit of my page...
I don't know what to do, now I am even thinking of go to a college to get a training, a diploma with coop to get a job in different major, but this is still a maybe, there's still no guarantee after two years or three years of college education, I can get a job. Plus, I have more than six years of education already in mechanical engineering major, give up is a huge waste...
Jabberwalker @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:28 pm
$1:
finished my bachelor's education major in mechanical engineering and automation
How are you with Solid Works and Inventor?
Are you any good at coding?
bootlegga @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:29 pm
you might have to move outside the big cities to get that first job.
I know several mechanical engineers - they all had to move to the sticks and work for a couple years there. One guy lived in Fort St. John for two years, another in Ft. Mac for a year and a half. Once you get your P.Eng and some experience, it will be far easier to get a job where you want.
CanadianJeff @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:35 pm
There's a ton of opportunities for engineers of a variety of types in Saskatchewan. Try looking up BHP billition, Cameco and Potash crop for jobs.
housewife @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:40 pm
Daughter is finishing her Mechanical design tec at college had to go to Northern ont for her co-op. She is in a foundry and loving it.
Start checking foundry's and mines up north. It's an other world up there but if you can hack it for a few years you will have lots of experience.
krisliang @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:48 pm
Thanks guys,
As for Cad software I am more familiar with ptc pro/eng but I have training and intern experience in Solidworks 2010 Unigraphic NX 7.5,AutoCAD (2010)
For CNC machining, I did 2D and 3D programming in that small shop using Mastercam X5 but I only did in three axis.
I took FEA during my master study here in Canada using Ansys 12.1
Also, I have some experience in siemens PLC programming.
Yes, I am considering move out of big cities, but I still prefer within Ontario.
Lemmy @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:00 pm
Not sure if I'd call this career advice, per se, but if I could do it all over again, I'd be a drug addict on the streets of San Diego.
Brenda @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:08 pm
Lemmy Lemmy:
Not sure if I'd call this career advice, per se, but if I could do it all over again, I'd be a drug addict on the streets of San Diego.
If you're not dealing drugs as well, that is not a career, Lemmy...
ShepherdsDog @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:12 pm
Lemmy didn't have enough ambition so he stuck to economic theory
OnTheIce @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 2:24 pm
krisliang krisliang:
I have hit rock bottom of my life, and desperately need help, and I don't know what to do in my situation.
I come from china, finished my bachelor's education major in mechanical engineering and automation, worked for a year, then came to Canada, I got a master degree(mechanical engineering again) last year, trying to get a entry level position related to my education background.
Now here is the problem, "experience!!!" I don't have a lot of social contacts to get me a entry level job, and I don't have coop experience since my bachelor education was not in Canada. I figured that I can start from bottom, so I try really hard, and applied literally anything that I can find related to my education background in the whole province.
Finally 3 months later I found one doing CNC machining production in a small shop. So there I was doing production on the floor with a master's degree from a Canadian university, the wage is less than everyone in the shop except the cleaning guy, they give me a week's "training" then I am on my own, luckily I am quick learner and I can learn by myself, a week after training, I managed to do a job that no one in the shop know how to do before I started working in this shop. One month later, I gained their trust, co-workers started to notice my ability, and began to ask for my help, I try my best to do so, fix things, trouble shooting etc. In my mind this is a temp job for me, I don't see myself working on the floor my whole life, there was a lot of overtime, the job keeps me busy, every week I work more than 50 hours, so work life balance, no so much.
A year later, I decided to leave, because I thought I have some experience, maybe I can get a technologist job some where else. Boy, I was wrong, I only want to get my career started, wish someone will recognize my ability, and give me a job, I don't need a high pay, minimum wage is fine for me as long as I am gaining experience, I am king of old fashioned hard working guy, no matter what, I work hard to get things done. I have been out off a job for 4 months, and here is what I have seen and been through:
Usually you sent out resume and cover letters, no one responds, when they do responds, I am really happy that I got an interview, you prepare yourself, suited up, bring samples, you know, try your best to sell you self, after the interview, they say they will get back to you or give you an answer in a week or so. A day later you write the Thank you note, and waiting for the feedback. only to find there are no feedback, you write email, make phone calls, leave messages... No, no feed back, nothing... Some company even get you drive 4 hours for an interview, and don't even inform you after they promised to give you an answer in a week.
Occasionally, there are some positions can get you hopes high, you think you are a perfect fit for that job opening at company A, you tailor your resume and submit, only to find that they don't even bother to contact you, then I showed up in person, leave a resume at reception, still nothing. A month later you find a position similar position at another company B, It is so obvious that the company A recruit the person working for company B, and company B is now looking for someone to fill up the opening. Then you figure, this is butterfly effect, eventually I can find a company is willing to hire me, so you submit your resume again to company B, these things come in a continuous loop, until the last company is too cheap to hire someone, they divide the workload to existing employees and the butterfly effect ends.
Here is what I am thinking, everyone is once inexperience, when you see a job posting online, there are no company posting no experience required, they all started from one to three year related experience. I mean how did this happened? Am I supposed to work fro free for the first two years or even three years to get a job that pays? I really put myself out there, I even start to looking for jobs on kijiji, post my resume there, willing to work for free in probation period, still no one answer my post althrough over 200 visit of my page...
I don't know what to do, now I am even thinking of go to a college to get a training, a diploma with coop to get a job in different major, but this is still a maybe, there's still no guarantee after two years or three years of college education, I can get a job. Plus, I have more than six years of education already in mechanical engineering major, give up is a huge waste...
I come from china, finished my bachelor's education major in mechanical engineering and automation, worked for a year, then came to Canada, I got a master degree(mechanical engineering again) last year, trying to get a entry level position related to my education background.
Now here is the problem, "experience!!!" I don't have a lot of social contacts to get me a entry level job, and I don't have coop experience since my bachelor education was not in Canada. I figured that I can start from bottom, so I try really hard, and applied literally anything that I can find related to my education background in the whole province.
Finally 3 months later I found one doing CNC machining production in a small shop. So there I was doing production on the floor with a master's degree from a Canadian university, the wage is less than everyone in the shop except the cleaning guy, they give me a week's "training" then I am on my own, luckily I am quick learner and I can learn by myself, a week after training, I managed to do a job that no one in the shop know how to do before I started working in this shop. One month later, I gained their trust, co-workers started to notice my ability, and began to ask for my help, I try my best to do so, fix things, trouble shooting etc. In my mind this is a temp job for me, I don't see myself working on the floor my whole life, there was a lot of overtime, the job keeps me busy, every week I work more than 50 hours, so work life balance, no so much.
A year later, I decided to leave, because I thought I have some experience, maybe I can get a technologist job some where else. Boy, I was wrong, I only want to get my career started, wish someone will recognize my ability, and give me a job, I don't need a high pay, minimum wage is fine for me as long as I am gaining experience, I am king of old fashioned hard working guy, no matter what, I work hard to get things done. I have been out off a job for 4 months, and here is what I have seen and been through:
Usually you sent out resume and cover letters, no one responds, when they do responds, I am really happy that I got an interview, you prepare yourself, suited up, bring samples, you know, try your best to sell you self, after the interview, they say they will get back to you or give you an answer in a week or so. A day later you write the Thank you note, and waiting for the feedback. only to find there are no feedback, you write email, make phone calls, leave messages... No, no feed back, nothing... Some company even get you drive 4 hours for an interview, and don't even inform you after they promised to give you an answer in a week.
Occasionally, there are some positions can get you hopes high, you think you are a perfect fit for that job opening at company A, you tailor your resume and submit, only to find that they don't even bother to contact you, then I showed up in person, leave a resume at reception, still nothing. A month later you find a position similar position at another company B, It is so obvious that the company A recruit the person working for company B, and company B is now looking for someone to fill up the opening. Then you figure, this is butterfly effect, eventually I can find a company is willing to hire me, so you submit your resume again to company B, these things come in a continuous loop, until the last company is too cheap to hire someone, they divide the workload to existing employees and the butterfly effect ends.
Here is what I am thinking, everyone is once inexperience, when you see a job posting online, there are no company posting no experience required, they all started from one to three year related experience. I mean how did this happened? Am I supposed to work fro free for the first two years or even three years to get a job that pays? I really put myself out there, I even start to looking for jobs on kijiji, post my resume there, willing to work for free in probation period, still no one answer my post althrough over 200 visit of my page...
I don't know what to do, now I am even thinking of go to a college to get a training, a diploma with coop to get a job in different major, but this is still a maybe, there's still no guarantee after two years or three years of college education, I can get a job. Plus, I have more than six years of education already in mechanical engineering major, give up is a huge waste...
Why would you quit a job before you have a new one? That's the first piece of advice I'd offer....don't leave a job and prevent yourself from gaining experience until you have somewhere else to go.
You have to make contacts. Education only gets you so far at the beginning. You need to network and get your name around. Don't just jump into a new job and think of it "just as a job" people can sense that you're just around for the paycheck.
Start networking and have your resume looked at by a professional or someone with good command of the English language. I have a feeling that your resume may not present well based on your English above.
postmaster @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 2:31 pm
... krisliang, with all due respect, the grammar in your communications might be holding you back with prospective employers. perhaps you might considering retaining someone to prepare your resumes and thank you letters for you instead of doing them yourself ...
ShepherdsDog @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 2:34 pm
Good advice on the resume. You're trying to sell yourself to people, and you really need to pay attention to details. Get it done professionally, as that is an investment that will pay off.
Hyack @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 3:49 pm
Yep, best advice is to get your resume put together by a professional, make sure it's accurate, don't add any bullshit, and make sure all of your references can be followed up on.
fifeboy @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 4:07 pm
krisliang @ Mon Sep 16, 2013 4:50 pm
Thanks for the advice, yes, English is not my native language, I always have to double check grammar after I wrote something. I post this without double check, sorry for that.
I will send my resume, cover letter and thank you note to someone for editing.