I see that some large companies hire top grads into leadership development programs for engineering (and other areas). These entry level programs rotate the candidate to a few different jobs over 2-3 years, giving them exposure to various areas of the company and offering visibility and networking with key executives. Seems like a great opportunity for early career growth. Anyone have experience with these programs? Are they as worthwhile as they appear? Is the starting salary and growth potential any different than a typical entry level job in that field?
I know a number of guys (yes, all male) who have been through the GE Edison program. They are given lots of responsibility right out of the gate and are required to work on their MS degrees. Highly recommend these positions to kids who qualify.
They identify new or recent grads who they see as having upper management potential. Being tall, attractive, and socially adept with great UG grades seemed to be the commonality. Though I never worked with him, a college friend went through a similar thing with Lockheed and was an engineering manager before he was 30.
Well that’s promising. DS, current junior, has an internship this summer with a company that has such a program. Their website says most candidates were interns for them. He’s 6-5, somewhat attractive, fairly adept socially, and has a 4.0.
I worked for a major oil company for >20 years. In our company, employees in a similar program are typically well-thought of as the program is quite selective. Rotations give exposure to multiple areas, which allows the new employee to both gain knowledge across a wider breadth of the corporation and rapidly build a network of colleagues. Importantly, many of these colleagues turn into resources for everything from solving engineering challenges (tapping into expertise in other parts of the business) to navigating corporate politics. Some of them may become mentors or advocates. The biggest downside is that some programs require relocations, temporary housing, etc. (but there’s typically good corporate logistics support) and you may not always get your first choice assignment (in the rotations, and for your first “full-time” assignment after). Overall, most new employees feel the advantages strongly outweigh any disadvantages. (And I know many females, as well as males, that have started this way!)
In 1984 I turned down an GE offer for MMP (Mfg Mgt Program)… Note that I am 5’ 2" and not especially attractive or socially adept. I don’t think MMP had the masters academics like Edison. One of my friends did Edison, and I should note that he was average height or less. .
MMP had 4 rotations in TBD locations, with little employee input. For me that was a disadvantage. But I could see how some grads would welcome the opportunity to try different places.
Bumping this for more opinions. DS is halfway through his internship, enjoying the work and the company. They will soon be offering jobs in their leadership development program to their most promising interns, and he hopes to get the offer. If so, is there any reason not to jump on it?