Tips for re-emerging into the market with BSEE? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bitbanger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2018, 12:28:38 am
content: Hi folks -My career is suddenly facing a bit of an identity crisis.I graduated 13 years ago with an AAS in electronics and immediately began doing circuit and board level design work. It was exactly what I dreamed of doing (it still is!) and I continued doing that for a few years.Fast forward ten years to today. It took me three years working and taking classes (both full time) but I finished my BSEE December last year.In the ten years since leaving the pure design role, I've worked at increasing levels of design abstraction, furthering me from "grass-roots" circuit design. For various reasons (higher pay, family, moving, etc) I took roles such as Application Engineering, 6+ years automated test fixture design for lab research, 4+ years in an industrial setting doing advanced electrical/electronics diagnostics. I have *found* a way to work with or involve myself with electronics in every role. Unfortunately at all of these employers I have most often been the sole "EE", which has been isolating and didn't allow for much professional growth. Granted I've been designing, building circuits as my hobby over those ten years, but it doesn't compare to having co-workers to bounce thoughts off of. That said being the "one man band" has meant the pay has increased and prospects have always been very good.Unfortunately now that I finally finished my degree and am targeting circuit design roles, employers (I believe) simply see three years design experience, over ten years ago.I believe I would be selling myself a bit short applying to "recent graduate" positions; I feel my experience has a tangible worth. However while I'm getting in front of employers I'm failing to get even Jr level work due to lack of experience. Partly understandable.What are your thoughts on this conundrum? Have you faced a similar situation, and if so, how did you emerge? To be clear I don't believe the world owes me a thing, including any particular role. However I'm looking for advice on how to better market myself back into a design role: leveraging my existing diagnostic/repair/troubleshooting and design experience in exchange for the chance to develop my design skills further alongside Senior-level staff.Thanks for taking the time to read ('tough to sum up a life story!)Best,Jamiehttp://www.jamiekline.com

author: bitbanger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2018, 01:20:49 am
content: That's good insight - the FAE role was in safety systems for mobile cranes, and the heavy equipment industry pays EEs well. That said it's tough to escape grimy environments and dismal office spaces in those sectors (spent many many years in freezing weather diagnosing sensors, endless hours in windowless basement labs and in car-seat-staining factories), desk engineer or not. "Beggers can't be choosers" but partly for those reasons the bright shiny consumer sector is of particular appeal.

author: bitbanger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2018, 01:57:03 am
content: Hah that's a mighty fair (albeit biased) point, but I'd like to optimistically believe that my past doesn't entirely dictate my future. That said I do feel from a career age standpoint this is sort of my "last shot" to get back to circuit design.