How Hard Is It to Get an Engineering Job Out of College?

“At its heart, engineering is about using science to find creative, practical solutions. It is a noble profession.” — Queen Elizabeth II

There are over 181,000 job posts for entry-level engineers in the US on LinkedIn, the popular go-to platform for job seekers. You might think this figure is huge until you realize that over 100,000 engineers and technologists are pumped out yearly in the USA.

According to ASEE, every one of these graduates is hopeful of landing a good job within a few months of finishing school. In this case, you will realize why the high school doesn’t matter. There is a separate article that discusses this on our site, so check it out.

So to answer the question of how hard is it to get an engineering job out of college, initial figures show it is an arduous task.

For knowledge on how to get an engineering job and how you can get your dream job upon graduation, keep reading.

Is Being An Engineer Hard?

Let’s be sincere—being an engineer is no mean feat even compared to how to interview for duke admission. You’ll find a separate article on the latter on our site. The academic, mental, and emotional demands are not for feeble minds.

Retention rates among engineering students are among the lowest, with about 50% of engineering majors either dropping out or changing majors. Unsurprisingly, this field is considered one of the toughest college degrees to earn.

However, some colleges help to increase your chances of completing your degree more than others. Our guide on Yale’s unique features reveals the special advantages you could benefit from at Yale.

You have got to love math and physics. You would have to learn differential equations, Calculus I and II, at the very least. If you happen to be studying for an aerospace or chemical engineering degree, your journey down the math lane is about to hit new curves and dimensions.

Being an engineer requires a lot of patience, resourcefulness, and a never-say-die attitude. Getting an engineering job is much easier when you truly acquire these skills.

An engineer is a professional ‘problem-solver,’ and your training equips you just for that.

How Hard Is It to Get an Engineering Job Out of College?

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein

It is easy to conclude there are no jobs for engineers and all the job ads are just a string of faux pearls. But that’s not always true; the following are some of the factors that determine the ease of access to jobs in the engineering sector:

The State of the Economy

This affects everyone, not just these guys. When the ‘times’ are bad, every job feels a ripple effect. This happened during the global financial crisis of 2008, which saw the economy take a sharp left for the worse.

Those were one of the moments that leveled both high school graduates and dropouts. Our review on why the high school doesn’t matter shows you can still turn out great even if you weren’t serious in high school.

Regardless of if you finished top of your class or not, It can be arduous to work on getting an engineering job, especially an entry-level position, when the economy isn’t doing well.

Engineering Specialty

While high school students often ask, is being an engineer hard, what are the hardest g fields?

It is important to keep in mind that the relative difficulty of a major compared to other engineering majors does not necessarily guarantee the ease of getting jobs upon graduation.

For example, during the housing boom, engineering majors related to the housing industry seemed to get jobs faster than their colleagues. When it ended, so did the rate of new job openings.

Location Restrictions

Is it hard to be an engineer? Yes, it can be a tough job. Solving problems with math and logic often requires travel. It is common to have jobs scattered across different parts of the country.

If you are not willing to relocate and go to where the jobs are available, it will always be a challenge to get a befitting offer where you are.

No Jobs for Engineers?

How, then, can you begin a career in this sphere? Are there no jobs for engineers, or do many people not just know how to get an engineering job?

Well, there are many jobs available for them, and the following tips could certainly help.

Build a Great Portfolio

Remember, there are probably thousands of fresh and recent graduates vying for the same job as you.

To put yourself ahead, you need a stellar portfolio. You want to leave a strong positive impression on whoever reviews your application. To do this:

1. Write a brief bio page that summarizes your degrees and qualifications, strengths, and awards that are relevant to the post.
2. Craft your resume to fit each post you are applying for. Don’t just send generic, boring resumes. You can highlight how your current skills are a perfect fit for the role. You can also hire resume writing services for recent graduates for a better presentation of your portfolio. An article on how to get this service is available on our site.
3. Include all vital and relevant experience. This can be previous volunteer work or academic coursework, or internships. This is where you add any unique experience that sets you apart from others.
4. Also include references and recommendations from former employers, college professors, or professional clients.

Get Practical Skills

As an engineer, you know things are changing much faster, and the industry is ever-evolving. You need to prove that you are aboard the train to the next big thing in your major.

The easiest way to do this is to further professional certifications alongside personal and freelance projects.

Like any other profession, further certification puts you ahead. For example, our list of MD MBA programs provides medical professionals with useful insights on how to get into hospital management and degrees that help with this.

Join a Professional Network

You need to join a strong professional network if you aren’t already. Take time to hone your social and leadership skills.

Employers want to see that you have made the most of your time since graduating. Staying within the right circle is key to getting any top job, and engineering jobs are no different.

So, How Hard Is It To Find An Entry-level Job?

“Failure is central to engineering. Every single calculation that an engineer makes is a failure calculation. Successful engineering is all about understanding how things break or fail.” — Henry Petroski

An entry-level job is almost a myth. Although thousands of them are up for grabs, it seems like companies never find a good fit, and some job ads remain up for months. To get one of these jobs, you have to offer top-notch value.

For more insight, the disadvantages of public speaking courses in colleges and universities are properly mentioned in a separate article dedicated to it on our site.

Of course, some HR departments don’t understand the entry-level requirements of the profession and may set standards that could take a decade post-graduation to hit. Nevertheless, don’t be discouraged.

Still, send in your applications. Include an overview of both the technical and non-technical skills you may have.

Key Takeaways

“A country without engineering skill and knowledge will never become a developed country.” — Mahathir Mohamad.

How hard is it to get a job in engineering? Now you know! You don’t have to struggle to land your first engineering job. While it may be difficult, it doesn’t have to be impossible.

• Make a college road map before you even begin.
• While in college, volunteer and get internships.
• Have side projects you are working on.
• Build interpersonal relationships and leadership skills.
• After graduation, be willing to go to where the jobs are.
• Get into the right professional circles and associations.

FAQ

Is it easy to get an engineering job out of college?

No, it is not. You have to be willing to go over and above what the competition offers and prove that what you lack in experience is accounted for with an effective skill set.

How do I get an engineering job out of college?

Seek out all job offers, entry-level or otherwise. Don’t be intimidated by the high requirements. Put together a solid portfolio alongside your applications that highlight both technical and non-technical skills you may have gathered over the years.

What percent of engineering graduates get jobs?

While there is no accurate data on the percentage of engineering graduates that get jobs immediately after leaving college, the engineering profession is in high demand, and tens of thousands of opportunities keep showing up at intervals.

What GPA do you need to get hired as an engineer?

A GPA of 3.5 and above is considered a good start. The competition in the engineering industry is stiff, and any GPA below 3.4 may hurt your chances.