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Finding your Dream Job?

How did you find your dream job? I am majoring engineering because I love the math and problem solving aspect yet I don't want to sit in front of a computer screen for the rest of my life. How do I find my perfect fitting?

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Thank you comment icon I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that commented. It was very insightful and helpful. It definitely has given me something to look into and do some more inner thinking on what I truly want. Connor
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Haiyan’s Answer

Clarify your values: Take a moment to think about what matters most to you in a job. It could be work-life balance, job stability, chances to grow, or making a positive impact on society. For instance, if having a good work-life balance is key, you might choose to steer clear of jobs that often need lots of overtime. Knowing your values will guide you to a job that truly fits you.

Identify your interests: Look beyond your engineering interests and think about other hobbies or activities you enjoy. Maybe you love being outdoors, working with others, or getting creative. These interests might open doors to unique engineering roles or careers that mix engineering with other exciting fields. Follow your passions, and you might discover a path that's perfect for you.

Assess your skills: Write down your technical skills and also your soft skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership. This will help you see where you can shine. Knowing your skills will lead you to jobs where you can use them best and make a real difference.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Haiyan! Connor
Thank you comment icon 100% this. My nephew graduated from college a few years ago with a degree in Mathematics. When he started to look for a job, he realized he didn't want to do any of them! He went back to college and is now a High School Math Teacher and loves it! Tyler Landas
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Christina’s Answer

A good tool to understand potential good job fits is to take a Clifton Strengths assessment which will provide you feedback on your strengths and what jobs match your strengths and interests. Also, think outside of the box, there are many jobs that need math and engineering skills but get you away from a sitting in front of a computer like civil engineers who need to be outside to supervise construction sites, forest engineers surveying land, geotechnical engineers investigating earth materials and collecting samples, environmental engineers conducting site assessments and investigations, structural engineers inspecting bridges and buildings for flaws, landscape architect designing outdoor spaces, etc.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Connor
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Patrick’s Answer

This is a common question that lots of people think about. I remember feeling the same way when I finished school. Start by choosing the field you want to work in and the role you’d like to begin with. For instance, if you like computers, working in telecommunications might be a good fit. If you enjoy interacting with people, technical sales could be a great option. In this role, you won't be stuck at a computer all day, but you will need to know about them. If technical sales interests you, consider looking into companies like Cisco, Ericsson, Juniper, or Nokia. Remember, it’s important to be open to new experiences. Early in your career, you have more chances to try different jobs and roles. Don’t hesitate to explore new opportunities within your company, at a new company, or even in a different industry. Just keep in mind that after 7-10 years in one field, changing careers can be tougher. Lastly, no job is perfect. Aim for a job that challenges you and makes you proud to say, "I’m proud of what I do."
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the help. Connor
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Brian’s Answer

Finding your dream job is an exciting journey, and it's important to remember that what you consider your dream job can change as you grow. Career planning and taking action on your plans can make a big difference. Begin by building a strong foundation with education and certifications. These will help you secure your first job. When I finished college, my biggest hurdle was the slow pace of moving up. I was used to the fast changes from one semester to the next. Starting a full-time job required me to adjust my expectations, much like a sprinter learning to run a marathon. This shift in mindset is crucial in discovering your dream job. As I progressed in my career, I noticed my goals changing and evolving.

For those starting out, Teklemuz offers valuable advice: explore opportunities with non-traditional engineering organizations like construction and civil engineering.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Connor
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Tyler’s Answer

While you're in college, I really encourage you to look for internships, co-ops, or research opportunities. These experiences give you a chance to see what it's like to work in different roles at various companies or organizations. Trying out these short-term opportunities helps you discover what you love or maybe what you don’t, and that’s perfectly fine because they don’t last long. This way, you learn what suits you best without being stuck in a long-term commitment.

Plus, there are many engineering jobs that are very hands-on and engaging.
Thank you comment icon Loved reading this, thanks! Connor
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

If you love math and problem-solving but don't want a desk job, there are exciting options for you! You can use your engineering skills in hands-on roles like a field engineer, civil engineer, or R&D specialist. These jobs let you tackle real-world challenges and use your expertise in testing, prototyping, and troubleshooting. To grow your skills, look for internships, co-ops, or projects that focus on practical experience instead of just screen time.

It's also important to explore different types of engineering to find what you love most. Whether it's mechanical, electrical, civil, environmental, water, or marine engineering, try out various roles and trust your instincts to see what excites you. Networking with professionals can show you how your skills fit into different areas. Hybrid roles, like test engineering or technical product management, mix hands-on work with problem-solving, allowing you to use your engineering knowledge without being stuck at a desk. By exploring different paths and following your instincts, you'll find the career that truly feels like your dream job.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Connor
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Lulia’s Answer

Solving problems is needed in every discipline. Trying out different engineering clubs, attending summer camps can help get exposure to different opportunities as well as the environments. Bio tech, agricultural engineering, marine biology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering include different environments, each with its own problem spaces and challenges. Consider taking Systems Engineering in college, as that can give you the foundational skills to take your problem solving passion and use it to engineer solutions in any discipline.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice. Connor
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Kent’s Answer

While in college, I went to as many job fairs as I could, not only to get my resumes out there, but also to learn more about the companies and talk with employees and get their prospective of the company and career choice they took. From one of the job fairs, I was flown to Dallas, TX for an in person interview. In the interview, I discussed my passion for automation with my programming skills and that lead to me being hired. Though I didn't know anything about telecom at the time, I was able to take many manual processes and automate them and received high recognition and many awards and also compensation levels were boosted. So don't be afraid to talk with others about their career choices and get their prospective of their company and career choice.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Kent! Connor
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Veasna’s Answer

How did you find your dream job?

Don't be afraid to explore and make a shift if you do not enjoy the job you end up in. You can always change your job at a later date. But it seems like you are in the correct field as you love math and problem solving.

How do I find my perfect fitting?

There are many different fields in Engineering that do not involve sitting in front of a computer all day. Examples include:

- Civil
- Mechanical
- Geo
- Oil & Gas

Look for opportunities to work with professors who research in the work you're interested in. They can help you find opportunities. Take advantage of any internship opportunities to explore different aspects of Engineering.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Connor
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Misha’s Answer

Your dream job may be fluid - passion and purpose help you create that. Identify opportunities that may be hands on/working with customers that allow you to be in the field. Make a choice and start moving.


On behalf of Cloudera new hires: Matthew, Adil, Gabriel, Stacy, and Shane

Misha recommends the following next steps:

Build your network - this is priceless
Identify a mentor(s), seek advice, have a sounding board
Identify companies you’re interested in joining
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Connor
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Nivedita’s Answer

There is no dream job! But a job where you like to go, that motivates you, you feel you a make a difference and where your work will be acknowledged would be an Ideal job. If you do not want to sit with laptop all day, you can work on some hobbies which would be the next interesting thing to do post working hours. I like to read.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Nivedita for the advice. Connor
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