This will be my first “real” job. I’ve worked while in high school and college but it was the standard little stuff and standard internships.
Like so many kids my head has been down in the books since 7th grade and I only lifted it up to do sports and activities.
And then being an engineer at Cornell , I also just kept my head down studying.
Now im about to graduate in December with my masters in Engineering and I put my resume out for the first time.
I have no wisdom with regards to the real world of tech.
My dad works hard as a builder (and he doesn’t know tech) and my mom is a stay at home Mom.
And surprise I’m getting offers already…
The confusion is that everyone is really nice and it’s hard to decipher the reality that exists beyond the interview room.
I’ve been interviewing with defense contractors like Raytheon and Boeing (offers In high 70’s) and FFRDC’s like MITRE, Lincoln Labs, and Draper (Mid 80’s).
Both places are very different one building capability and the other geared toward research.
As I’m getting ready for my last semester I’m surprised at how dumb I feel with regards to the real world.
Any words of wisdom?
I’m not whining or complaining just reaching out random thoughts.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Lincoln labs, and to a lesser extent the other FFRDCs, are run more like universities. Lincoln Labs is part of MIT, so that isn’t surprising. Raytheon and Boeing are enormous, bureaucratic companies. With all those places, the nature of the job may be such they can’t tell you what the job is until after you start working.
My first job out of college with a BSEE was for one of those places that could not really tell me what I was going to be working on due to the secure nature of the job. It was the most fascinating job I ever had. However, perhaps you should look at your career further out that your first job. People that have worked at MITRE (for instance) are highly regarded at the major defense contractors. You may consider taking one of those research type jobs then considering a defense contractor position down the road. Just a thought. Good luck.
Thank you… it’s easy to forget the long term view.
I was looking near term and I was just wondering what kind of job I could get. I seriously underestimated the interest I received.
The long term view is even harder. How do I answer the question “what do I want to be when I grow up”. I envy the people that can answer that question. For me, every problem is awesome. I love getting swallowed up by a challenge and then popping out the other side with an insight. I think I’m intellectually immature, since I could spend hours playing with a problem…and it’s even more fun when you can share the challenge with others.
Thank you.
I would also look closely at the benefits offered especially health insurance.
I would consider the geographic location of each job, what housing is available and how you would commute to work (car public transportation) and if you like the people you are interviewing with. Ask yourself if you see yourself as a fit at each option.
Congratulations and good luck to you. You’ve worked hard and earned it. You sound very humble…a nice quality that I see less and less these days. Enjoy - you’ll be great!