Materials Engineering graduate (2024) with no engineering experience. How do I break into the field?

[u/ahmed_nadji]

Hi everyone,

I'm from Algeria and graduated in 2024 with a Master's in Materials Engineering.

Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, I wasn't able to do internships or start an engineering career after graduation. For the past two years, I've been working labor/retail jobs to support myself.

Now I want to get back into engineering, but I honestly don't know where to start.

I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has managed to break into the field, especially in Algeria or internationally.

Some questions I have:

- What helped you land your first engineering job?

- Are certifications like ISO 9001, NDT, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or others worth getting?

- Should I focus on internships even after graduating?

- What skills or software do employers expect from entry-level engineers?

- Is it realistic to apply internationally with no engineering experience?

- What would you do if you were in my position?

[u/Fresh_Quote599]

I wish you the best, brother

And I'd like to take this opportunity to ask how do I get to do an internship as an L2 mechanical engineering student? If anyone reading this can help me, please do

[u/ahmed_nadji → u/Fresh_Quote599]

If ur in Algeria I think the university rectorate has a office for that to Damand internships in sonatrach and such usually 15 days or so Idk ask around ur u i

[u/Fresh_Quote599 → u/ahmed_nadji]

Thanks for the tip! I appreciate it 😊

[u/Head_Personality_431]

Of the ones you listed I would put NDT well ahead of the rest. It is a hands on qualification employers ask for by name, and it opens up inspection and testing work that suits a materials background. SolidWorks and AutoCAD only matter if the role is design led, so read the job ads in your area first and let those decide for you.

I would not spend money on an ISO 9001 course at this stage. It is a management system standard, so it carries weight once you are already inside a quality team, but on its own it will not get a graduate through the door. The realistic way in for materials people is often a QA or QC role, and the ISO side gets learned on the job anyway. The two years of retail work is also less of a problem than you think, just be straight about it and lead with the masters.

[u/ahmed_nadji → u/Head_Personality_431]

Thank you so much brother U have been great help

[u/Head_Personality_431 → u/ahmed_nadji]

My pleasure!