Senior Engineering Student...entering real world...help

[DeereSledHeadFarmer]

Just thought I would post a different topic. I am a senior mechanical engineering student at Clarkson Univeristy in New York and the approach to entering the real world is in close as i graduate next may. I have done well is school and done a few internships and have recieved feedback about life/career choices from people at those companies and of course my family, friends, and professors. As I dont think I know any of you I thought it would be interesting to get some thoughts or opinions about entering the real world. I am having trouble deciding on what to do about getting a job. I live on a farm in central new york but there is no money in dairy but i would still like to take it over some day and raise beef. But snowmobiling and farm equipment are my top two hobbies/addictions. So i have interned at new holland ag but its in amish country in pa and not sure if i want to live there. but to get any type of money i need to move out of state or far away though i can most likely get a job near home that i wont be happy at. I know some of you are engineers and some of you are not but i would like to get some feedback on whether i should choose, money, location, good company, etc...For example have any of you moved to a job and it impedes you from doing your favorite hobby or suffered through a job to live where you want to live. OR worst of all move where there are no John Deere snowmobiles. Thanks for any input

PS If any of you know of any contacts in Deere or Polaris I would like to see what these companies would have to offer but you kind of have to have an in if you live in the northeast since they do not recruit here. There could be a few beers in it for ya too hahaha.

[JDT]

I think all the Polaris jobs are now in Mexico. Not much snow south of the border.

Arctic Cat is opening a state of the art engine manufacturing facilty in St. Cloud MN.

Sioux Falls SD has one of the highest rated job markets in the USA right now.

I bet Deere has good jobs in Iowa.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Is there a "real world"?

DA

[69camaro]

There is hope Matt. Sometimes with a job in your field you have to take a job where you do not want to go. However, with a few years experience you can get back to where you want to be. It is a little tuff "sledin" right now.

Duane

[nick80lf]

I agree with what Duane has said. I moved away for three years or so for a job as a hydraulic system designer. After the company collapsed I returned home and started working for a local company that would not even let me in the door three years earlier when I was fresh out of college. Most companies want someone with experience, which is the biggest obstacle.

Also I personally don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect job. It’s human nature to find something at work that irritates you no mater how insignificant it may be. The grass will always look greener on the other side (even though it might actually be dead).



Nick

[toocheaptosmoke]

I just recently graduated in mechanical engineering and am facing the same problems as you. I would like to stay local (can't live without my shop!!!) but am having trouble finding a job with no experience. There are actually a fair bit of jobs within an hour, but you can barely get an interview without 3-5 years experience. Could move to texas, but am not that desperate yet...

[jdrob]

Matt on a lighter note. Have you ever thought about getting into a job building roads and bridges?? Seems to me New york,Pa, and Ohio have the most freakn road construction in the U.S. Were always gonna have our 4 seasons here in Pa !! Almost winter, Winter, still Winter and ROAD CONSTRUCTION . .. Now on a serious note , money isn't everything I would rather be poor and happy, than rich and miserable.. you can't buy happiness.. It also depends on how close are you to your family ?? Try to find your happy medium. Remember this "short term scrifice for long term gain" Not sure if this will help or not just my 2 cents..

[DeereSledHeadFarmer]

hey thanks for the advice so far guys i appreciate it. it seems like people are suggesting getting in with a good strong company to get valuable experience and then you can get into more diverse companies that are looking for experience. i also understand money isnt everything but it sure does make you think. i also am looking for decent benefits which are seeming harder to come by. I talked with a engineer from polaris at the big east show and he said apply online but i also have an interview with exxon mobil this coming week which is one of the top companies to get in with the one downside or upside depending how you look at it is it would either be in the south (no snow) or in montana but ive heard they pay top dollar. hmmm alot to think about.