I’m about to graduate with an IE degree and my gpa is a 2.8. Because of my gpa I had no internships or anything. How am I going to find a job? My school’s IE isn’t very built up. I’ve been looking on job sites, but I don’t see any openings in my area that I qualify for. How am I going to find a job? =/
There are a couple of different approaches. Don’t know what you feel is “near” or even what region you’re in and so on, so this is pretty generic.
Find some engineering contract houses near you. These may be national (Aerotek, SAIC, and a couple others were big names several years ago, maybe still are), regional, or local. In general, the regional and local offices MAY be somewhat less selective - but will be equally or more demanding if that makes any sense.
If you’re a US citizen and comfortable with doing DoD work, also look at engineering contract operations near R&D or other centers (Dayton, Huntsville, Baltimore, Albuquerque, Omaha, Wichita etc).
Be pretty open about the kind of work you’re willing to do and the industry. Maybe working for Ford was never your dream, but the first big thing is getting a job. Finesse can follow. Engineering skills are portable, so don’t panic if your first offer is in Erie, PA (GE’s locomotives, for example).
Should you get a lead/offer at a small contract house, work harder than you can imagine. Right now you have mostly your GPA and diploma to market. Five years from now, the best things you will own will be your name and reputation. Make them as marketable as possible. Be kind and excellent to your coworkers, for example. Share all knowledge you have, etc. Real simple stuff, but one day, someone will say “we need a _____” and someone you impressed will say “I know just the person!”
@50N40W Thanks for the advice. I live in the Dallas/Forth Worth area. Do you know of anything around here?
I’m not real familiar with that area, but would bet there are some smaller contracting firms. The sport is called “fishing” instead of “catching” for a really good reason.
And just like in fishing, if you limit yourself to one spot along the bank, some days they just don’t bite there. In that case, you’ll have better luck if you’re willing to move.
When my parents joined the Peace Corps, during orientation all the volunteers were asked where they wanted to live. Most of the answers were tropical islands or wherever, and after a few moments the instructor said “we’ve discovered that it doesn’t matter where a volunteer goes. If they like what they’re doing, they’ll love the experience.” I think this is true, and I also think that first jobs out of college often aren’t all that likable. Work through that, though, and it can get really good.
I did a simple web search and found a couple of engineering service providers in the Dallas area. Don’t want to endorse any, but they exist.
I can’t recommend an engineer restrict the job search too much, either by industry or location. Geography isn’t as impressed by us as we are by it.
You need to visit your student career center and see if they have alumni contacts with prospective openings at their firms.
With a lower GPA I would tend to looking at smaller companies. It will require more searching on your part. Most big companies get a lot of resumes and can be picky. One of the easiest to use as a sort of their resume stack is GPA. So your chances are not great with the big companies.
@50N40W Thanks for the advice. I have all of my family here, so I’m not sure I’d be willing to move very far. Could you please tell me what you searched for to find the service providers? I’m not entirely sure what you mean when you say service provider. Sorry.
@“aunt bea” I do need to try, but my school’s IE department hasn’t been built up much at all.
@HPuck35 Thanks for the advice. Do you know how I can search? I’ve been searching Indeed and Monster and can’t come up with anything.
Expand your horizons!
Ultimately only you can decide if you want to be an engineer or a barista with an engineering degree.
@eyemgh @4kidsdad I guess you’re right. I figured that in a metroplex as big as DFW I’d be able to find a job.
Sure DFW has a lot of jobs but have you even looked in other nearby metropolitan areas like Houston or Austin or San Antonio? You’d still be in easy driving distance to your family and that would substantially increase the pool of companies you can consider. Otherwise, you may need to open yourself geographically instead of limiting yourself artificially that way, get some experience, and then maybe after a few years you can parlay that experience into getting a job “back home” once you have more experience.
Also, as someone who lived for 6 years in Texas but grew up elsewhere, I promise that Texas isn’t as great as everyone born there seems to think it is.
AMEN, Brother!!! 
DFW has tons of telecommunications firms.
But first, go to your career office at your Univ (even if you have graduated) and make use of the resources there.
As far as where to search out smaller companies to work for:
Indeed and Monster should provide jobs for you. If not, then perhaps your job criteria or location searches are too narrow. Another place to look is Craig’s List.
Use the word “recent graduate” in your search, and check out “developmental” and “rotational” programs (although many specify 3.0 I dud see one 2.8, and some don’t specify). Also add “December 2015” or “Summer 2016” or “Spring 2016” your search. I can’t say it “works” but at least you can weed out the “entry level with 5 years of experience” ones.
Simply Hired also has a search engine called “Majoredin” (all one word) . com you might find something.