ESM Graduates: Whats Next

1
ESM Graduates Whats Next?
2
The ESM degree gives you

• A broad base of fundamentals that allows you to
  grasp virtually any engineering concept
• A strong math background that enables you to
  understand and derive complex system models
• The ability to work in both design and research
  fields
• Mechanical
• Civil
• Aero
• Bio-Medical
• Other

3
Job or Grad School?

• Experience
• What research/professional experiences have you
  had during your undergrad?
• Other job experiences?
• What experiences did you enjoy most?
• Where were you most successful?
• State of mind
• Ready for something different?
• Need a break from academics?
• Eager to continue research and lab work?
• Future Plans
• Motivations lifestyle? career? location?
• Have an area of interest?
• Still undecided

4
Back to the University

• Define a field of study
• Consider advisor, program and university
• University/department overall climate,
  relationships among colleagues, funding levels,
  teaching opportunities, atmosphere
• Advisor day to day existence hours in the lab,
  publication expectations, level of mentoring.
  Find out how long his/her students take to
  graduate
• Process Qualifying exam, Prelim, Courses,
  Dissertation Requirements
• Visit the university
• Interview with potential Advisors
• Review literature form the group
• Funded programs past and present
• Talk to the students
• Ask about hours, support, collegiality
  (competition vs. collaboration), continuity of
  funding, opportunities to attend meetings, visit
  industry
• See what it is like to live there

5
Selecting Graduate Research

• Available projects
• Applied
• Theoretical
• Experimental
• Theory Experiment
• Interdisciplinary
• Who is funding the work
• Federal/State
• Industry (publishing and IP)
• University seed
• Foundation
• Internal
• Negotiating your contribution and
  Thesis/Dissertation
• Understand your role and your deliverables
• Understand the desired interactions
• Contract for thesis/dissertation

6
Conducting Academic Research

• Senior design as a rough draft
• Learn the journals in your field well
• What material they publish
• What format/style/content expectations are
• Attend conferences both to learn material and to
  learn how people present. Observe what works/what
  doesnt
• Read your advisors/lab groups work to get a
  sense of his/her approach
• Be prepared to negotiate expectations/demands
  professionally
• Seek out University Writing Center for help if
  available

7
To the Job Market

• Finding a job takes time, so prepare your resume
  and start looking early.
• Create a résumé and cover letter that will get
  you an interview http//wiz.cath.vt.edu/tw/Techni
  calWriting/jobapp/index.htm .
• Make an appointment with the Comm Program staff
  to review your résumé (including scannable and
  HTML versions if necessary).
• Visit the university career-planning center or
  library to read up on writing a résumé and
  interviewing.
• Consider CoE Seminars http//www.career.vt.edu/WO
  RKSHOP/CollegeofEngineeringEvents.htm
• Attend EXPO Sept. 21-22
• Be creative in discerning positions youre
  qualified for.
• Identify your skills and be relatively aggressive
  in selling them.
• Develop and use a network to identify and secure
  a job
• Constantly review advertisements in science and
  engineering magazines and journals, in newspapers
  in cities where science and engineering
  employment centers are, and on the Internet.
• Be as clear as possible about what you are
  looking for so that when you see an opening, you
  can market yourselfyour education, skills, and
  attributes.
• Tailor résumé and cover letter to specific jobs.

8
Learning the Job

• Seek out mentors if the company doesnt provide
  them
• Find out about company policies (written and
  unwritten)
• Listen and observe
• How the business/department/group runs
• Who does what
• How interpersonal relationships play out
• What the company culture is
• Dont be afraid to ask questions
• Treat people professionally and respectfully
• Trust what youve learned
• Trust technicians especially those whove been
  around a long time
• Often some of the most important relationships
  are with the people who can get things done
  office managers, technicians, support staff,
  maintenance people (true in grad school as well)

9
Engineering Compensation

• Salary
• http//www.jobstar.org/tools/salary/sal-comp.cfmE
  ngineering
• http//www.careerjournal.com/salaryhiring/industri
  es/engineers/index.html
• http//www.engr.utk.edu/org/studorg/ans/salary.htm
  l
• Google Engineering Salary Survey
• Other
• Signing bonus
• Moving
• Vacation
• Transportation and commuting
• Continuing Education
• Health and Recreation

10
Salary by Function