5 answers
Dylan
Student
Des Moines, Iowa
1
Question
Updated
251 views
Hey how to I get a job after college as an engineer?
I'm a student at the university of Iowa.
I don't have a resume
I'm a freshman.
And getting a job after college sounds impossible. I don't know if I will have to apply to everywhere when I graduate or if I will be able to get summer internships.
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4 answers
Francesco Preti
Sustainability, Data analytics, Emissions Reporting
3
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Francesco’s Answer
Hi Dylan,
To boost your profile, try focusing on data analysis skills. This area is full of opportunities right now. Start by getting really good at Excel, like using pivot tables and advanced formulas. Then, think about learning Python or R for more advanced analytics. Knowing cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is also useful since many companies are moving their data there.
Data skills are great because they apply to many fields. As an engineering graduate, you could work on risk models at an insurance company, check property performance for a real estate firm, or do market research for a consulting group. These skills can open doors in any industry because every business needs people who can understand their data.
When looking for a job, be open to your first role. If you get a decent offer from a good company, it might be worth accepting. Once you're working, you'll build a network that will help with future opportunities.
Make LinkedIn a powerful tool for you. When you find interesting job postings, don't just apply online. Research the company, find the hiring manager or team lead on LinkedIn, and send a thoughtful message. Show genuine interest in the role and ask questions about the team or challenges they face. This will help you stand out.
The main thing is to start somewhere and keep building from there.
To boost your profile, try focusing on data analysis skills. This area is full of opportunities right now. Start by getting really good at Excel, like using pivot tables and advanced formulas. Then, think about learning Python or R for more advanced analytics. Knowing cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is also useful since many companies are moving their data there.
Data skills are great because they apply to many fields. As an engineering graduate, you could work on risk models at an insurance company, check property performance for a real estate firm, or do market research for a consulting group. These skills can open doors in any industry because every business needs people who can understand their data.
When looking for a job, be open to your first role. If you get a decent offer from a good company, it might be worth accepting. Once you're working, you'll build a network that will help with future opportunities.
Make LinkedIn a powerful tool for you. When you find interesting job postings, don't just apply online. Research the company, find the hiring manager or team lead on LinkedIn, and send a thoughtful message. Show genuine interest in the role and ask questions about the team or challenges they face. This will help you stand out.
The main thing is to start somewhere and keep building from there.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
First of all, you shouldn’t worry about getting a job offer as a freshman, because you’re still learning and gaining experience. Job offers are given to applicants who demonstrate the required knowledge and skills in their field. I highly recommend that you focus on continuing to learn, strengthening your knowledge and skills, working on personal projects, participating in labs and workshops, and truly understanding the concepts. You can also strengthen your skills by taking hands-on training at vocational colleges, directly volunteering in the industry, or networking with professionals, which will give you practical experience, guidance, and exposure to real-world work.
Right now, what’s expected from you is to attend lectures regularly, participate actively in class, ask questions, complete exercises and projects, submit assignments on time, and study consistently so you can do well in your exams and maintain a strong GPA. Later, in your second, third, or final year, you can start applying for internships, volunteering opportunities, or shadowing experiences in engineering fields related to your studies. By the time you graduate, you’ll have both knowledge and practical experience.
I can also help you prepare a professional resume and practice for behavioral and technical interviews before your actual job interviews. Be confident in your abilities, believe that you are capable of fitting the role, and don’t fear that you won’t be employable.
Right now, what’s expected from you is to attend lectures regularly, participate actively in class, ask questions, complete exercises and projects, submit assignments on time, and study consistently so you can do well in your exams and maintain a strong GPA. Later, in your second, third, or final year, you can start applying for internships, volunteering opportunities, or shadowing experiences in engineering fields related to your studies. By the time you graduate, you’ll have both knowledge and practical experience.
I can also help you prepare a professional resume and practice for behavioral and technical interviews before your actual job interviews. Be confident in your abilities, believe that you are capable of fitting the role, and don’t fear that you won’t be employable.
Cory Yeager, PE, SE, MsC, PPM
65
Answers
Updated
Cory’s Answer
Well… there is no straight line answer cause every work/employer has local and regional factors and every employee has personal and personnel factors.
I am going to spare the response that is really long and full of my personal story. Your question is very direct but the fact of the matter is you have years of school left and may not end up as an engineer. Best advice to anyone in your situation is to be patient but try at doesn’t mean wait like it did in my time. It does mean be proactive and give yourself time to allow your choices to age, refine or change over time.
I started out in bridge design and now do transmission design. To this point my story includes using each one of the following to find a person then a job or a job. The key to know which one to do is knowing what job you want cause random effort and energy get random outcomes. To give yourself a chance you have to be focused with energy and effort. To this point you can do any of the following but you will likely end up generally looking cause you need info or you will be researching cause you think you know where and what you’re doing.
If you are general then focus on the campus resources like career fairs (there should be a general and technical job fair). I volunteer at my office and go to local colleges year round.
If you know what or where your going, then focus on the were to make sure you know what is available in area or focus on the what and see where the work is available. In this scenario, as an infrastructure engineer I cannot expect a job remote or at home cause the work is in the field.
Ideas below(again I have used each one directly or indirectly to get a job)
professional societies, networking online, looking internships, look for career fairs on campus or local, find an employer that excites you to see whether they hire your field or have a local office, find a mentor to work on resume and career skills accumulation
I am going to spare the response that is really long and full of my personal story. Your question is very direct but the fact of the matter is you have years of school left and may not end up as an engineer. Best advice to anyone in your situation is to be patient but try at doesn’t mean wait like it did in my time. It does mean be proactive and give yourself time to allow your choices to age, refine or change over time.
I started out in bridge design and now do transmission design. To this point my story includes using each one of the following to find a person then a job or a job. The key to know which one to do is knowing what job you want cause random effort and energy get random outcomes. To give yourself a chance you have to be focused with energy and effort. To this point you can do any of the following but you will likely end up generally looking cause you need info or you will be researching cause you think you know where and what you’re doing.
If you are general then focus on the campus resources like career fairs (there should be a general and technical job fair). I volunteer at my office and go to local colleges year round.
If you know what or where your going, then focus on the were to make sure you know what is available in area or focus on the what and see where the work is available. In this scenario, as an infrastructure engineer I cannot expect a job remote or at home cause the work is in the field.
Ideas below(again I have used each one directly or indirectly to get a job)
professional societies, networking online, looking internships, look for career fairs on campus or local, find an employer that excites you to see whether they hire your field or have a local office, find a mentor to work on resume and career skills accumulation
Indrani Mandal
Software Technology Consultant
12
Answers
Uithoorn, North Holland, Netherlands
Updated
Indrani’s Answer
Doing internships related to your field while in college is extremely important. They help you build practical skills, gain exposure to real professional environments, and understand how the industry works. Internships also give you a valuable opportunity to network, which often plays a key role in finding a job after graduation.
Additionally, make sure to open a LinkedIn account, refine your profile, and clearly highlight that you are “Open to Work.” Start building your network step by step—connect with recruiters, professionals in your field, and alumni. A strong LinkedIn presence can significantly improve your chances of finding the right job that matches your interests.
Additionally, make sure to open a LinkedIn account, refine your profile, and clearly highlight that you are “Open to Work.” Start building your network step by step—connect with recruiters, professionals in your field, and alumni. A strong LinkedIn presence can significantly improve your chances of finding the right job that matches your interests.