<p>What exactly are the "coveted" positions in engineering (non-cs related)? Let's face it, the majority of engineering jobs out there are dead-end. You are given a computer program to work with and you spit data into it, doing the same general process over and over again with a few deviations here and there. The amount of value you add, and the opportunity for growth, is really quite little when you look at the big picture of things. </p>
<p>For the most ambitious engineers with 3.9+ GPAs from top 10 schools, what opportunities are there in the job market that correlate with their abilities and offer potential to revolutionize industries and make a real impact with continual salary growth? Do these positions only lie with the best funded biotech/nanotech startups? Unfortunately, most of these startups look for people who are already leaders in their fields and not college grads.</p>
<p>I don't want to work at GE, Lockheed, Boeing, or other such firms that my classmates were so excited about. Turns out when they actually co-oped for them, they found that the work environment blows if you're at all entrepreneurial and ambitious, and barely any innovation goes on there. For now, I find myself opting for the sakky-route and shooting for management consulting with an eventual entry into VC or private equity. Until there are high-reward positions for high-achieving engineers, there is really no incentive for me to go into engineering.</p>
<p>I think you pretty much hit it on the head. The best job for you depends on what your priorities are and how much weight you put on each factor. If money is by far the most important to you, the best job may not be in engineering. For others, money may be secondary as long as they can live a comfortable lifestyle.</p>
<p>Personally, I wanted to be involved in large-scale high-profile construction projects so when I was looking for a full-time job, I was looking at the larger companies in the field. Smaller companies tend to give you more responsibility faster and you get involved in more aspects of a project than larger companies.</p>
<p>I would like to be an Imagineer for Disney. At least for a time, it sounds like fun.</p>
<p>I am going to stay in biotech, seems like a lot of people like this field. However, I'm thinking about moving into business development and strategy and away from engineering, though I may come back to it.</p>
<p>Maybe we should pair up and create something awesome so they have to hire us. What kind of engineer are you? They seem to take people from all walks of life and background. I figured Chem E. would be a tough sale though.</p>
<p>1337hax0r, I think that's a fairly bleak outlook on the state of engineering jobs. Surely some engineering jobs can be fun... if all you do is operate a computer program all day, I agree, that's not too stimulating. But surely with seniority and accomplishment comes recognition and more interesting projects.</p>
<p>Is this not the case?</p>
<p>Fortunately, I'm CS so this thread by definition does not apply to me.</p>
<p>Auburn: It's true that there are some interesting positions in engineering, but they require you to highly specialize. For example, to get into IDEO I would have to devote all my energy to designing products and show them a diverse portfolio. Or for a top biofeul startup I would have to demonstrate a concentrated background in fermentation processes, microbiology, or something similar. This specialization is one way to get into the interesting jobs, but it's not for me since it cuts out other options. I can't devote my life to one little sliver of engineering/science when I like so many topics (otherwise I would get a phD). These top firms don't recruit on potential, but a highly specialized background.</p>
<p>For something like your chosen field, cs, you don't need to specialize in operating systems, web-dev, databases, etc. All you need is an extremely solid understanding of theoretical computer science to get into a place like Google.</p>
<p>Another thing to keep in mind is that you can become an engineering consultant and work for yourself. My husband and I are both engineers and started our own firm out of our house 10 years ago. It's a great lifestyle - we live on a wooded lot next to a river, and look out at snow-covered trees while we're working. Our schedule is very flexible, so that I can go to our kids' sporting events and go for a run whenever I feel like it. We make more than we ever did working for big companies. We design lots of kinds of structures, so it's never boring. And I assure you we're not just crunching numbers.</p>
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For something like your chosen field, cs, you don't need to specialize in operating systems, web-dev, databases, etc. All you need is an extremely solid understanding of theoretical computer science to get into a place like Google.
<p>There is a lot of testimony about what kinds of questions are asked on Google interviews. It's not a given that you'll get into Google or anywhere else even if you have an extremely solid understanding of CS theory. You might get into a place like that if they have a specific need for that type of person, and you have a reputation that preceeds you.</p>
<p>Eh that article sounds like a bunch of people complaining that the hiring process was too long and intensive. Also complaining about benefits, management, and the like is rather base when you start comparing Google to other institutions of its size. The article also proves a bit ridiculous when you start comparing the ratio of satisfied/unsatisfied employees with other companies. Also, I find it rather obvious that you won't get into Google with just an understanding of CS theory...there are many more credentials involved. The point I was making was that you can specialize in something <em>after</em> you get into Google. Most Stanford cs undergrads who walk into Google are just nasty general programmers with a diverse range of abilities (the Stanford name is also a big factor). Regardless, this has little to do with the discussion at hand.</p>
<p>Some people actually do specialize in a subfield of CS prior to employment, such as operating systems or databases. In some cases, it's because it's something they really like; in other cases, it provides the opportunity to stand out and be noticed. As far as Google and other top software companies go, it varies quite a lot - there are people who work at those places who have a diverse set of abilities and interests, there are mad coders, there are theoreticians, there are specialists, and so forth.</p>
<p>Another site you could go to for more information about software company hiring is</p>
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For now, I find myself opting for the sakky-route and shooting for management consulting with an eventual entry into VC or private equity.
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<p>For the record, those are not "my" routes in the sense that I am trying to convince anybody to take those options.</p>
<p>All I have ever said is that a lot of people do choose those options, and I have provided the reasons for why. But I am not the reason for why they took those routes. They made that choice all by themselves.</p>
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It is amazing that all you have to say is sakky and everyone knows who you are talking about, lol. Sakky, The Postinator.
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sakky: filling your forums with walls of text one thread at a time.
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<p>If you guys don't like my posts, then don't read them. Nobody is forcing you. Do us both a favor and skip right over them every time.</p>
<p>But those who want to read them should be allowed to do so</p>