<p>As the title of the post says, I am graduating in May and during the four years as a student I have been a TA for a technical course and secured 4 internships ( two with fortune 100 companies) but all have been CS/IT related. I worked during the semester as a part time employee.</p>
<p>After working in the finance(tech) and IT areas I've decided to stick to electrical engineering since I never enjoyed the work in IT which initially seemed so great. Problem is I can't seem to get a single call from companies that hire "legit" electrical engineers ( power, electronics,controls) even though I have taken mostly EE classes and CS classes were taken for those free elective requirements...and genuine passion since I'm a nerd :)</p>
<p>My friend who couldn't find a single internship landed an entry level EE job with a great utility company with an above average salary. Here I am looking at people land jobs at prestigious engineering firms and I can't even make it to the interview having done so well. I believe the experience I have is creating a shadow over my resume bringing a recruiter to point that I may not be the right guy for that particular industry.</p>
<p>What now? I have learned much from my work experiences and can even say I am probably a bit over qualified for an entry level CS/IT position but it's not what I want. I am very confused and have no idea what's going to happen.</p>
<p>I am assuming your GPA is above 3.0?</p>
<p>Apply to CS type of jobs as well as EE type of jobs. Better to have a CS type of job over no job, even if an EE type of job is what you really want.</p>
<p>If you are lucky, you may find a CS type of job doing something where CS is applied to some EE area, or which the employer also does EE type of things. That may help you eventually transition over to a more EE type of job later.</p>
<p>Otherwise, it is better to be looking for a job while employed than while unemployed.</p>
<p>You’re leaving out some info like what school you’re graduating from and your GPA.</p>
<p>My gpa is 3.17 which above average for my major ( cs classes ~3.8) right now but I have never been asked for it in any interview. I’ve heard that gpa just gets you through screening at HR and that’s about it. My school is 2nd tier( ABET) in tri- state area. It’s not top 100 obviously so I don’t want to mention it.</p>
<p>ucb, I’m actually working pt at the moment in a … cs job. I am grateful for my current position but you have to understand that if I accept a full time job in anything, I plan on giving it everything so I can do well and move up. I don’t know if I can do that with these IT jobs. It’ll just delay something that i should have chose in the beginning. </p>
<p>I appreciate your opinions.</p>
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<p>Note that CS is different from IT. CS jobs should be computer software or hardware development or QA, and make use of many of concepts you learned in CS courses. IT jobs are typically system and network administration and are commonly done by people with primarily business backgrounds plus perhaps some vendor specific certifications (nevertheless, some CS background would make you a better IT person on technical matters than the typical IT person). Many CS jobs are in areas where IT is an application (e.g. developing software and hardware for routers and switches).</p>
<p>Would you be able to relatively easily convert to full time in your current CS job after graduation? If so, consider that your “safety”, but keep applying to both EE jobs and “better” CS jobs. “Better” CS jobs would be those where CS is applied to EE areas, or in companies where there are also EE jobs, to give internal transfer opportunities. If not (or your current job is an IT job that is not very technical), cast a wider net when applying to CS jobs, since any decent CS job is would be better than no job.</p>
<p>I am aware of the distinction between CS ( software development ) and IT jobs. In technology operations I would work with the network and system admins who indeed have technical roles. The service management group comprise of people with non-technical degrees and some training prior to entering the career. I thought about going into technology consulting but one offer had a 100% travel requirement which seems ridiculous to me so I walked away. Google has an entry level program (Internal Technology Residency Program) which lasts 24 months I believe before they place you into a specific group. Unfortunately I was rejected which probably had to do with my gpa and school more than anything.</p>
<p>I’ll keep looking for information. Thanks</p>