<p>Hello Folks -</p>
<p>I know people have raised similar topics before, but I am desperately asking for help. Basically I need some advice on how to break into the career.</p>
<p>I'll get to the point- I'm not sure if I am going to make it in the engineering field because of my low grades. I have almost graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering (from a very good school that is very reputable).</p>
<p>I graduated from high school with a 3.79, but just never adjusted to college fully. I can try to make up excuses- but what it comes down to is that I just couldn't get it together until it was too late. So it looks as though I will be graduating with a 2.7.</p>
<p>I'm doing whatever I can to make the best case for myself. I have been working very hard as a volunteer everyday in a lab on campus. Even though technically I am just a volunteer- they did give me my own project to work on. I guess any of you who has done research will realize that 90 % of the time research is just getting the equipment to work right. So I am not sure if I will actually get enough accomplished to publish something by the time I graduate (in December). However it is just something to add to the resume.</p>
<p>What else can I possibly do? I really want just a chance to break into the field- if not aerospace at least something engineering. I realize that there is no way I will get the best engineering job right away. I may have to apply to all of the smaller- lesser known companies at first. </p>
<p>However I am concerned that I may not get any job in the engineering field.
I am just very concerned because I see my friends who have graduated with 3.4, 3.5, etc still finding it difficult to get a job in aerospace. What is the most logical course of action for me? Where do I go to look, who do I contact, what else can I do, etc. ? any thought would be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>What year are you? Also, when you do go searching for a job, just apply to everything you could enjoy doing. Apply to big companies and small ones. The weaker GPA will be tough to overcome, but if you develop unique skills, it could weigh less. Consider developing some good software development skills, for example. I know most aeros in school don’t code much, and when they do they use MATLAB. However, coding is a valuable skill to learn and will help you stand out!</p>
<p>I have just one more course to go exactly- assuming I get at least a B in that class- I will have 2.7. I thought about doing a full semester just to maybe raise that up to 2.8, but it just wouldn’t be worth it with the amount of credits that would require. </p>
<p>Hmmm any idea what are the smaller companies I could be applying to?</p>
<p>Well there’s no getting around the facts, is there? You dug yourself into a hole with your grades. Now you do what you can to pick up the pieces, but you’re pretty clearly coming from behind. The only way to remedy your situation is the hard way - by finding a job and proving yourself so that the low GPA doesn’t matter anymore. </p>
<p>Finding a job for a low GPA student in a cyclical industry in a down economy is not exactly the easiest task, but it can be done (might take a few months of job searching FWIW). You said it yourself - your 3.5 GPA friends have trouble too, so why wouldn’t you have even more? Unless you have some really good connections or an exotic skill that a certain employer needs, you won’t find a job ahead of well-qualified good students.</p>
<p>Look for engineering jobs, and look for just general quantitative jobs that engineers are considered to be good at. Just realize that the cards aren’t really in your favor, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t go your way. And if you don’t end up finding an AeroE job, life goes on.</p>
<p>yes I agree- I’ve dug myself into a hole. There is no getting around that fact- but I just want to at least try to get myself out of it. </p>
<p>The way I see it, most realistically I would need to try to go after all the smaller companies. Maybe the ones that are up and coming. What Would be helpful for me right now, is some sort of website that lists pretty much all Aero/ engineering companies. </p>
<p>I know finding a job is a job onto itself for anybody- I’ve just made it that much more difficult for myself. I have to at least try though.</p>
<p>Google is the closest you will get, realistically. No one really keeps an up-to-date laundry list of every single company that you would want to apply for.</p>
<p>AeroE has a lot of projects that really have a sort of economy of scale. Finding employment through smaller companies will be that much more difficult.</p>
<p>If you are working in a lab, I would recommend you go to graduate school. A 2.7 GPA will not even get you past resume screening at any of the recognizable aerospace companies. (Min is 3.5 usually, and in this economy, they are going to be really picky). </p>
<p>Go to graduate school for your Masters, finish with a high GPA, and publish a couple papers. That might open the door for you. </p>
<p>Or look for smaller companies that has contracts with bigger companies. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>