r/engineering • u/AutoModerator • 8d ago
Weekly Discussion Weekly Career Discussion Thread (05 Oct 2026)
# Intro
Welcome to the weekly career discussion thread, where you can talk about all career & professional topics. Topics may include:
* Professional career guidance & questions; e.g. job hunting advice, job offers comparisons, how to network
* Educational guidance & questions; e.g. what engineering discipline to major in, which university is good,
* Feedback on your résumé, CV, cover letter, etc.
* The job market, compensation, relocation, and other topics on the economics of engineering.
> [Archive of past threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/search?q=flair%3A%22weekly+discussion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
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## Guidelines
- **Before asking any questions, consult [the AskEngineers wiki.](https://new.reddit.com/r/askengineers/wiki/faq)\*\* There are detailed answers to common questions on:
* Job compensation
* Cost of Living adjustments
* Advice for how to decide on an engineering major
* How to choose which university to attend
Most subreddit rules still apply and will be enforced, especially R7 and R9 (with the obvious exceptions of R1 and R3)
Job POSTINGS must go into the latest [**Monthly Hiring Thread.**]((https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/search?q=flair%3A%22hiring+thread%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)) Any that are posted here will be removed, and you'll be kindly redirected to the hiring thread.
**Do not request interviews in this thread!** If you need to interview an engineer for your school assignment, use the list in the sidebar.
## Resources
* [The AskEngineers wiki](https://new.reddit.com/r/askengineers/wiki/faq)
* [The AskEngineers Quarterly Salary Survey](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/search/?q=flair%3A%22salary+survey%22&include_over_18=on&restrict_sr=on&t=all&sort=new)
* **For students:** [*"What's your average day like as an engineer?"*](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/wiki/faq#wiki_what.27s_your_average_day_like_as_an_engineer.3F) We recommend that you spend an hour or so reading about what engineers actually do at work. This will help you make a more informed decision on which major to choose, or at least give you enough info to ask follow-up questions here.
* For those of you interested in a career in software development / Computer Science, go to r/cscareerquestions.
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u/Both-Indication4789 1d ago
Should I include non-engineering work experience on my resume?
I'm a senior in college currently working on my resume to start applying for jobs after graduation. I don't have any engineering internships under my belt, which I know isn't ideal, but I'm currently working as an undergraduate research assistant in a lab. I'm also conducting my own research and will be presenting a thesis when I graduate.
My plan is to highlight my research experience and have a separate section for relevant projects I've worked on during college. My main question is what to do with my other work experience.
Before my current lab position, I worked a food service job for about two years. I'm debating whether to include it since it isn't really related to engineering. On one hand, I feel like it shows that I've had a job and have work experience, but on the other hand, I don't know if it's worth taking up space on my resume.
I also had a summer job working outdoors at a winery after my freshman year, and I think I could highlight some aspects of that experience that relate to my major. But, that was before my food service job, so maybe it would look weird if I had a gap in my work histroy?
Would you recommend including either or both of these jobs, or should I focus exclusively on research, projects, and other engineering-related experience? I'm also worried that leaving them off might make it look like I wasn't working during those periods, or that I have gaps in my work history.
Any guidance would be very helpful, thank you!
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u/r2o_abile 6d ago
Hello folks,
I know that this is an oft-asked question on this platform, I am at a crossroads now of choosing between staying in the plant or being a supplier/consultant.
Currently have an offer on the table with a 50% earnings increase. I believe my current workplace could likely increase my TC slightly but no tby much.
For folks with 10+ years in this profession, what advice would you give yourself if you were faced with such a decision earlier in your career, say at 4 - 6 YOE?
My current course of action is to:
- defer the offer to the New Year as much as possible
- complete all pending work, take no new work
- set some planned actions for winter in motion ASAP: procedures, action plans.
- ask for a match. Likely won't get a TC match, but at least the base + 5%.
I currently have no senior Chem Engrs to learn from, but learning from/with operators, non Chem Engrs, books (especially the mill OEM manuals).
Please help a flailing colleague out.
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u/MechCADdie 3d ago
Kind of hard to argue against a 50% increase. If you don't want to burn bridges, I'd talk to your manager and see if you can set up a graceful transition plan that ends no later than EOY.
The general rule of thumb is to never accept a counteroffer from your current employer. That said, if the counteroffer ends up exceeding the new offer, you can probably use that as leverage against the new offer, then take it regardless of if they try to counter or walk.
In either case, I'd avoid volunteering to work for 50% less per hour. Sure, your math works out nicer, but the optimal thing to do is to hand in your two weeks. If you haven't had a vacation in a while, maybe leave a little early and have the start date set to Jan 4th (first working day of the new year).
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u/r2o_abile 3d ago
I doubt that my current ompany would match the raise but they may come close (likely 10% to 30% higher).
I do agree that normally one should not accept a counteroffer, however, the move is from actual Engr to Sales. So may not get my PEng (and I'm < 12 months away lol).
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u/MechCADdie 3d ago
Doesn't a PEng require dedicated time under a PE? You mentioned in your OP that you had none to learn from.
1
u/r2o_abile 3d ago
My direct boss is a Mech PEng. Their bosses are Chem PEngs.
However, I am basically on my own Chem wise. Despite many meetings. Other Chem Engs were to be hired, but that hasn't happened.
I also asked for a Chem Eng with at least 10 yrs practising or 5 yrs in Pulp/Paper. That hasn't happened.
1
u/ChemicalWear71 6d ago
hello everyone! I am currently in my second year of computer engineering and have started applying to summer coops and internships, the issue is I have a very mid resume, I have a few executive student club positions (some bigger than others) and no projects on my resume. I have a few unfinished very mid high school CS projects so I honestly did not add them on my resume. I plan on getting started on a project in the winter break but I do not have any time right now whatsoever (i'm doing 6 courses lol). Anyway, I'm asking for any advice/tips/suggestions if you have any, I'm grateful for anything you have to say (harsh or not ) is anyone else in my position? If you have landed an internship/ summer coop how long did it take you to do and was the process like? Also, its important to state that my official coop is in my 4th year so this coop would not relate to my program so I'm open to both a summer internship or summer coop. Also, any suggestions relating research positions? I lowkey want one too, its something that interests me heavily.
1
u/Present-Milk-7936 7d ago
I just started my first real job as an engineer at a fortune 500.
I was basically a body modification performer/busker for the last 30 some years, but I have a rare combination of deep technical knowledge in an obscure niche AND the ability to write clear technical documentation about it. I didnt even have to apply they sent someone to talk to me in the park and made an offer.
First day i went in and an HR guy tried to call security on me but I had my ID and their boss knew who I was so he got the guards to take the zip ties off 😂 I guess I’m a little strange looking. Any tips on working in an office and not scaring people? I can shower and show up on time if needed
1
u/Normal_Attempt3159 7d ago
Hi Everyone, I am a project engineering professional and I am open to new roles, I have 3 years of totaly experience and 2 extra years of research experience in labs.
thank you
3
u/0rAnge_FrOg 7d ago
Hey all,
I am applying to be an EiT in the state of Wisconsin, and one of the parts of the application is a cover letter. I've written one for jobs before, but I am curious if anyone has a better template I could look over. I am confused as to how this should differentiate from a normal cover letter, if at all.
3
u/cynical_cabbage 8d ago
just color-coded my interview responses by how much jazz hands i used, think i'm ready for anything now
1
u/_papercut__ 1d ago
Need Career Advice [Currently working at a known service based company]
Hi guys
I'm currently working at said service based company, having had 2 yoe. There's not a lot of opportunities for growth and I feel like I should be trying to look for something more salary wise as well.
This was my first company and I'm currently in the dynamics 365 f&o technical side.
My biggest confusion is whether I need to switch my stream altogether and try to get placed at a product based company and start building my career from there or apply to jobs with my current experience and stay in the Dynamics field. Currently I'm not seeing a lot of opportunities for someone with my experience.
With AI being integrated everywhere, it feels difficult to hold on to tech in general.
Ive started to apply to jobs within my stream for now and then rethink this if it doesn't work out. I've been out of the whole job search thing for 2 years and I've applied to a few on naukri and linkedin. Idk if I'm doing anything wrong but so far I haven't had a single call back.
This being my first career switch, I'm very nervous and confused on what might be the best decision for my future. I think if I were to make a technology or stream switch, this might be the best time.
I'm open to any and all advice.
Thank you!