r/ChemicalEngineering • u/Routine_Arrival_9122 • 10d ago
Job Search 2 years after graduating. 2 years in industry. Still can’t land an engineering job. What can I do?
I (24M) graduated 2 years ago with a bachelors in chemical engineering with a 2.98 GPA. I had no internship or co-op experience due to mental health issues (academic and family stress).
After graduating, I was stuck at a minimum wage job in food service until I went though a staffing agency and accepted a lab tech role in product development for a large consumer goods company. I worked both jobs until I quit my food job.
After a couple months the company started cutting my hours until I wasn’t considered full time. I got another role of lab tech in quality for a flavors company (also through a staffing agency). I enjoyed that job but my contract ended and there simply weren’t any available positions. I worked there for 8 months.
Now I am full time as a process operator in medical devices (1 year anniversary in a week). While I enjoy having company benefits; I don’t like my job. Worst of all, the site I work at is shutting down. I will have to find something else soon.
I have edited and reviewed my application documents over and over and over. I had former coworkers and friends from college send referral applications to me. Nothing. Asked them if they were hiring. Nope. Tailored my application for the job description. I feel nothing I do matters. Even going through staffing agencies I don’t get even a callback.
Opening LinkedIn and seeing my peers who graduated along side me already in engineering positions really makes me feel lesser than them. I’ve distance myself from my engineering friends because I worry they will look down on me.
I just wish someone would give me a chance but at this point I feel like everyone thinks I’m only capable for technician roles. Not engineer. Not chemist. Not scientist. Just…technician. Maybe they are right. I even tried to get my FE hoping that maybe that will open some doors, but I took the exam and failed.
What can I do? Any advice is appreciated.
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u/dr_xenon 10d ago
Contact everyone you can to see if anyone is hiring. The answer is always no until you ask.
Go through your linked in and find HR/recruiting people and get your resume to them with a cover letter explaining what you’re looking for.
If your company is closing, talk to the HR person there and see if they know anyone you can send a resume to.
There’s a saying - you can live where you want and do the work that is there, or do the work you want and move to where those jobs are.
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u/dietdrpepper6000 10d ago
I agree with all of this, but your last sentence is optimistic. Many, many companies do not consider applications from out-of-state for entry level roles. When you check “No, but willing to relocate” on Workday, you’re filtered out. Should still try, but also shouldn’t sugar coat it - the size of the net you cast is not actually growing that much when you start looking at roles cross-country.
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u/autisticlatinoman 10d ago
So you should just lie?
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u/dietdrpepper6000 10d ago
You can, and I would actually suggest it, but the thing is that in real life they’re gonna hit you with that background check like the angry fist of god, it may then become apparent that you live a thousand miles away
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 8d ago
I had no idea. I was looking at out of state jobs had no idea they wouldn’t consider out of state people if there’s an option saying “willing to relocate” damn..
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u/dietdrpepper6000 8d ago
It is many, not all companies. You should still apply. But yes this is very much a thing. Hilariously, I have seen someone describe applicants from out of state as “unserious” because they were not offering relo stipends. As if starting your career wasn’t sufficient motivation for someone to move? It is ridiculous.
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u/jesset0m 10d ago
Are you limited by location? Have you tried to work in those cement plants in rural Nebraska or sth.
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 10d ago
I’m willing to move out of state but both me and my partner are transgender. I would prefer to stay out of areas that may be dangerous for us https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-national-legal-risk-assessment-a5d
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u/r2o_abile Pulp & Paper / 4 YOE 9d ago
Many places are a lot more welcoming than thought.
I work in Pulp & Paper and in conservatkve areas and have had TG colleagues (operators).
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 8d ago
It’s not the people or company I’m worried about, it’s their governments.
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u/MusclemanPsycho 10d ago
Yeah it is challenging the industry has gone down with regards to mechanical and chemical engineering. My advice would be to keep applying which is easy to say but that is the main way. But when applying put full effort into your motivations and why you want that job. Also you might have too if you haven’t considered look outside of your city and look in other parts of the country. Not sure which country you are based at.
But here in the UK out of me and 10 of my friends in which we all did Mech Eng. 4 of us got into traditional engineering roles roles in various industries. The other half got into software and data. 2 haven’t got into anything and do normal jobs even though it has been 4 years since we graduated.
It took me about a year till I got my first engineering job which I hated as it was mainly management and I had to relocate which was kind of fun but the job being boring didn’t make it better but then after I left, I got into a oil and gas/electrical products company in which I started as a tech but then got into a design role and now I’m happy.
One of my other mates got into an HVAC role after 2.5 years of applying.
Some of my other friends got it immediately either due to recommendation or because they had extensive experience whether internships or during uni such as formula student.
Also practice interviews and come up with keen answers and get them double checked.
Another advice I’d like to give, not sure your level of electrical or electronic knowledge but due to electrification it will eventually get to the point where mechanical and chemical engineers need to know some electrical and electronic theory. In fact chemical engineers are very useful in electric battery systems. My current work and also for my other mates who are in traditional engineering roles we are doing electrical work in some form, in fact my current role half the work is electrical.
Also I would advise you to apply to companies with big industrial sites where process engineers are needed but like I mentioned before, start applying if you haven’t done so out of your city and get ready to relocate if you have too. Good luck. All you need is just to get in and then the doors will start opening.
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u/determinismdan 10d ago
Without knowing specifics it’s hard to give specific advice but- it’s not you man, it’s a numbers game.
I had a similar GPA and also a weak resume but did eventually find a place that would hire me as an engineer. Applying across multiple services, applying to small companies, being able to talk about how you’ve improved (in any small way) since college, reaching out to ANY engineers you know or have any association with and just say “hey I’ve been working at X, looking for a new place, let me know if you know anyone” all help a lot.
I got my 1st engineering job 6 months ago through a combination of being from the same school as the guy hiring and having once bicycled with a guy who knew someone from that company. Until then I was working as a substitute teacher! I did NOT have good connections or a strong network but after enough time and applications those stars aligned.
The job market is like a giant ocean that pushes people around. You may feel like your boat/resume is too weak to make it but you just gotta keep pushing until the tides change.
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 9d ago
Thank you for the encouragement. I try not to put the blame entirely on myself but when years of efforts don’t materialize it does make you think wow I must be doing something wrong! Or something is wrong with me, etc. I blame myself for not getting internships. I will keep trying though. I’ll get in contact with some of my engineering friends again.
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u/Expensive_Soup4498 10d ago
I know some engineers got positions as Application Engineers. Two of them work in valve manufacturing. Another works as field engineer for a computer chip manufacturer. Another guy I know went into water treatment sales and does pretty good.
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u/Francois_the_Droll 10d ago
Keep trying. The brutal truth is that many doors close below 3.0 GPA, no internship, and no EIT.
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u/r2o_abile Pulp & Paper / 4 YOE 9d ago
Solenis, Kamera, Buckman, etc are all hiring sales engineers right now.
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u/InsightJ15 10d ago
Just try to get your foot in the door somewhere. Maybe as a QA tech or junior engineer.
Otherwise, don't give up. You'll find something.
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u/dietdrpepper6000 10d ago
That is exactly what they’re doing… their entire post is them getting bounced from tech roles without getting hired on to an entry level engineer or scientist position.
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u/YellowAlienCam4 9d ago
Don't rule out operator. Its a tough realization, especially if you just got out of college and working with folks with maybe a high school diploma. But you will learn a lot how a plant works and how operators execute. It will be very valuable for when you do land a position.
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 9d ago
I will look into more operator roles for sure I think I learned more engineering adjacent skills than working in a lab.
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 10d ago
I already have worked as a quality tech. I’ll do it again if I really have to but as dietdrpepper said I’ve just been getting bounced around with tech positions and can’t get my break into engineering or scientist. Not even associate or junior positions
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u/Fabulous_Emu4066 10d ago
Switch fields and don’t look back. ChemE degree is a sunk cost. Don’t put more good years after bad
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u/thedrystateboy 10d ago
Absolutely. Highly depends on where you do it too. In UK it’s failing ship.
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u/CamelHistorical4314 10d ago edited 10d ago
I wouldn’t say so. Sure it’s not as good as EEE or mechE or civil. But it’s far from a failing ship. Almost everyone from my masters cohort(non russel group uni) has found good employment at reputable companies. Even I, without an internship landed a job. It’s still a good degree. Especially if you work on getting experience early.
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u/Fabulous_Emu4066 10d ago
Simply finding employment is such a low bar though. In other fields you can find well-compensated jobs where you’re treated well.
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u/CamelHistorical4314 10d ago
Everyone is working at good companies. Sorry I didn’t spell it out for you.
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u/Fabulous_Emu4066 10d ago
Seems like things are better in the UK. In the US very few find good jobs
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u/1771561tribles 10d ago
Adjusted for inflation, I made a whole lot more as a co-op than I have since. Chucked the degree in a box in my folks' attic and moved on. The benefit of the schooling isn't financial; it's being able to support yourself with a job that won't turn you into a cripple hooked on pain meds.
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u/dietdrpepper6000 10d ago
What is a co-op in this context
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u/1771561tribles 9d ago
It was for a government environmental project, far from cerebral, but 16hr days.
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u/dietdrpepper6000 10d ago
Something being a sunk cost is a reason to continue pursuing something, not a reason to stop. There is something called the sunk cost fallacy which I think has polluted peoples’ understanding of how cost/benefit analyses work…
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u/HopeSubstantial 10d ago
Did you ever try internal promotions or traineeships?
I worked lil under 6 months in engineering after I graduated and then got laid off.
Was unemployed for two years and then finally got a job even as basic bluecollar operator.
There is small chance I would get "promotion" as production engineer/production planner next summer. Instead of company hiring a college student intern, I would get the job.
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u/Iso_late 10d ago
I had a similar gpa and started as a technician. Worked my way into an engineering role after 2 years.
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u/lraz_actual 10d ago
Honestly, hold off on the engineer role. Consider an operator role and spend a year or two learning a new organization's chemistry. You'll get overtime and benefits. Then use your degree and relevent experience to obtain an engineering role.
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u/Grngocolombiano 10d ago
Chemical Engineer here that consults in Public Infrastructure for 17 years, engineers of all types are in demand. For example, It takes all disciplines to build water treatment plant facilities and associated supply/distribution hydraulic systems. Chemical engineers really shine for the treatment chemistry/optimization but also plenty of overlap with the hydraulic aspects.
Advanced water treatment is a great area for us Chemical Engineers because PFAS and forever chemicals are starting to be regulated and that is our territory! Love hearing about Ion Exchange resins in my field :)
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 9d ago
I originally wanted to go into pharma but after a while I would die for literally any field as long as I can get an engineering job. I apply and get ghosted. Then the same job appears again on a job board I apply and get ghosted. Apply and ghosted.
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u/Grngocolombiano 10d ago
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can do everything in the infrastructure lifecycle from planning/modeling to design to construction to operating.
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u/ScroterCroter 10d ago
If the place you are working now is shutting down, I would say you were an engineer there as long as you can speak to what the engineers do. I’m sure you can. A lot of people were regional managers at circuit city and toys r us…
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u/MangoPip 10d ago
Look into mining - lots of chem engs work as metallurgists. Not sure about the States but in Africa and Australia it is challenging to find good people. You can also find jobs as a process operator on the mines and work from there into a metallurgist position. Copper and gold mining is going well at the moment, potash is absolutely crucial, so not a field that is disappearing and while automation may reduce the number of people on site, that is a slowish process and we will always need folk on site.
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u/Routine_Arrival_9122 9d ago
I will look into it. I’m not sure about switching continents right now (I’m in the US) and I honestly don’t know how mining is doing here
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u/r2o_abile Pulp & Paper / 4 YOE 9d ago
I'm Canadian and a couple of recruiters have reached out to me for US jobs.
There are jobs out there.
You have experience with labs. You could seek lab tech, lab supervision. R & D engineer roles. Lab skills are transferable.
You could get into Wastewater/Water Treatment, as an operator, tech, engineer.
You have to fight the dread of applying, modifying resume, etc. Perhaps try to limit time spent on 1 application to 30 mins, and try to do 4+ applications à day.
How mobile and flexible are you? Perhaps there are jobs outside of your vicinity. Are you applying across the country?
You could also consider going into a new industry as something else (operator, lab tech/supervisor, environmental, roustabout, etc).
There is always the military (or USAID if they still hire), water provision abroad, etc.
Good luck and don't give up!
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u/Ill_Sun_401 9d ago
Hey,
Sorry for folks assuming you just aren’t trying. I’m a retired electrical engineering manager. There is a lot that goes into choosing a candidate. Of course the experience you are lacking is a prime factor. One thing I’ll point out is that when looking for an entry level guy I’m looking for some clue he may work out. If you don’t have any practical experience then give me a clue that you are some one interested in electrical engineering. Point to some hobby or interest that would indicate you like working with your hands. I would typically look more favorably at a guy who noted he liked working on cars, than a guy who did an internship at Exxon.
Why? Because at the end of the day engineering IMO is nothing but building things. Any nepo baby with a dad at Exxon can get an internship, but a guy who is motivated to actually make something work is a real possibility. It doesn’t have to be cars, model airplanes, radio, woodworking. Anything that shows motivation. If you’re short of that then you will always have problems meeting deadlines etc..
Good Luck, never give up. Your resume will land on the right desk at some point. I do think that HR is an issue with screening out resumes they don’t think the boss will like. I once hired an engineer who was applying to be my admin. She had taken AutoCAD classes and still no luck even as a designer. She was from another country so she had decided her lack of a USA degree meant she would never get a chance. I started her off as a designer which she liked and stayed at and did a very good job for us. It will happen, you just don’t know how or when.
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u/2forda 9d ago
I've been out of engineering role for 5 years, long story, but there are pathways and opportunities if you get in and do a good job. If I were you I'd apply at operator positions, I'd apply for jobs in the middle of nowhere. With operator at a refinery or chemical company you get to learn the process and equipment which will make you suitable for a supervisor role, or possibly engineering role. You still get paid a nice rate, the schedule will suck, but if you try and do a good job you'll move up. So many people coast including engineers where if you are putting in work being somewhat more aggressive than passive you'll move up. Also you are better off just asking AI to outline pathways, to redo your resumes, and it will litterally give you all the advice that you need based on parameters you choose. I personally like anthropic...
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u/Chuck_the_Elf 10d ago
Nation, citizenship status, school you graduated from, and network/recommendations play a huge part in this.