<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>What are your feelings on rotational programs for engineers? As a first job do you think they are worth it? What if you want to change industry after its completion? Would this lock u into the same industry for a while? Please give me pros and cons.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>
It depends a lot on the actual program, but generally yes. You don’t know a whole lot about industry when you first graduate, and these are designed to give you some breadth and hopefully find you a good permanent position.</p>
<p>I turned down one company because I did not like their program - it was very rigid and offered little of interest. I accepted another offer and really liked their rotational program - it was extremely flexible and helped me find a position that I probably would not have been hired directly into.</p>
<p>
Then do so. When you take the job, they will tell you the terms of your contract (if any), and once you are able to leave, you can leave. Will all that knowledge be portable to a new industry? Probably not, but most will, and that will be a small issue at that point.</p>
<p>
Pros: You get to learn and try out departments that you may like and may work with in the future. Depending on the program, you may be able to try out a variety of positions that you would not normally commit to, and may likewise be able to try out positions for which you would normally be considered a poor candidate. If you have a poor showing in one department, it is only a temporary setback as you will be able to simply shift laterally rather than being saddled with a weak start in your permanent job.</p>
<p>Cons: You are delayed starting your permanent job. You may never get a shot in the departments you want. Your ability to get a promotion MAY be delayed (but usually only by a small amount).</p>
<p>Great comments, thanks cosmicfish! How long have you been at your program? or have you completed it already? where did you end up?</p>
<p>I spent about two years in my program - a 4-month system support rotation that I did NOT like, a 12-month component design rotation that I LOVED, and (quite suddenly) a 6-month system architecture rotation that became my permanent position in 2008. I am still with the same company, doing that same type of work.</p>