ME needs career advice

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I’m looking for some career guidance from experienced engineers and recent grads. A little about myself:</p>

<p>Attending a top 30 USNWR engineering school
2nd semester Jr. ME major (4.0 GPA)
2 internships with NASA @ JPL (a third on the way)
Soon to be published as ME (field: robotics)…hopefully
Very likely interning with Exxon in 2012 (they requested I apply and interview went very well)
BS Environmental Studies (2007, 3.46 GPA)</p>

<p>Here’s the problem, I have no idea what I want to do. A better way of saying it would be that I want to do everything; I really enjoy learning new things in all areas of engineering. With the internships I’m planning on doing I don’t expect to graduate until at least 2013, so I have time, but I’m feeling the pressure to make a career decision. </p>

<p>Right now I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with options. I know, that’s really not something to cry about, but I need to make a decision soon. Grad school is definitely a possibility, but only if it’s top 10. Any thoughts on the best course of action? Small company vs. large company vs govt. vs. academia? What opens the most doors? Also, how does it look/how easy is it to switch industries later in your career? Any insight is welcomed, thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>You will be fine, relax. Just apply to as many jobs as you can, and take whatever positions seems the best. It’s scary, but there’s no roadmaps in the real world. You’re an Engineer, your job prospects will always be good.</p>

3

<p>You may want to look into GE’s Edison Program. They groom their best recruits for management by giving recent grads tons of responsibility and rotating them through different assignments. They require and pay for a masters degree.</p>

4

<p>^ Thanks Magnetron. I’ve never heard of the Edison program…it sounds like a great opportunity.</p>

5

<p>Here’s a link with info on GE’s EEDP (Edison Engineering Development Program) as well as other GE entry level development programs: [GE</a> Entry-Level Leadership Programs](<a href=“http://www.ge.com/careers/students/entry-level.html]GE”>Jobs for Students at GE)</p>