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Real job situation at home?

  • 09-03-2010 04:36AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭


    So what's the engineering situation really like at home? It seems a bit better than it was this time last year when I was looking for grad jobs but it still doesn't look great.

    I got a job over here in the US when I graduated, my contract and visa are coming to an end over here now and it looks like I'll be moving home so I'm just curious. I do have the option to get another visa, but I'll have to find a job out here, I don't want to end up stuck at home with no money. Most of my class seem to either have emmigrated or are back at school. Actually I only know of one that got a job at home.

    By the way, I have a 1st class honours degree in Electronic Eng (Level 8) with about 18months experience.


Comments

  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,255 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Be thankful you arent a civil engineer!

    Have a look at the likes of monster and irishjobs.ie and see what kind of jobs are going there.

    I'd stay in America if it was me


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 368 ✭✭backboiler


    it depends on what area you're looking at. Hardware design jobs are generally much harder to find than "softer" related disciplines like embedded software roles.
    Manufacturing-related roles have probably suffered most in the last few years.
    Also many EEs end up doing pure software and there seems to be no shortage of replacement positions available for those laid off in this area.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭spideog7


    backboiler wrote: »
    it depends on what area you're looking at. Hardware design jobs are generally much harder to find than "softer" related disciplines like embedded software roles.
    ...
    Also many EEs end up doing pure software

    That's what I'm doing now and I'm trying to move away from it, but it's tough with little or no demonstrable experience in hardware. I guess you have to be lucky and find a break where people are looking for entry level stuff. Recently I've read advertisements for jobs that I'm bang on qualified for and where I can demonstrate a lot of experience but I just don't have any interest in them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,819 ✭✭✭dan_d


    I'd stay there a while longer if I was you - but then I'm a civil.....

    Still tough all round though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 528 ✭✭✭bit of a bogey


    I'd stay where you are!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,396 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    spideog7 wrote: »
    That's what I'm doing now and I'm trying to move away from it, but it's tough with little or no demonstrable experience in hardware. I guess you have to be lucky and find a break where people are looking for entry level stuff. Recently I've read advertisements for jobs that I'm bang on qualified for and where I can demonstrate a lot of experience but I just don't have any interest in them.

    Is there any chance of getting some hardware experience in your current company?

    Embedded people with both hardware and software experience quite sought after.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭spideog7


    I'd stay where you are!

    Contract's up in May though, so I'll have to get work somewhere one way or the other.

    Is there any chance of getting some hardware experience in your current company?

    I'm trying to do that, looks like I won't have enough time to get some work on the hardware project I was hoping to work on though, current project is highest priority and it's all software, maybe some GPU programming. I have some hardware project experience from my co-op.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,255 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Can you get your contract extended?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭CptMackey


    godtabh wrote: »
    Be thankful you arent a civil engineer!

    Have a look at the likes of monster and irishjobs.ie and see what kind of jobs are going there.

    I'd stay in America if it was me

    Just made my day even worse :(

    OP dont come back here. The country is finished


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 Ninja101


    CptMackey wrote: »
    The country is finished

    It really is, isn't it? It's depressing. Ba5tards.
    We should set up a committee to complain to EI about it. I'm sure they will take our complaints on board and "touch base going forward" about it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭CptMackey


    Ninja101 wrote: »
    It really is, isn't it? It's depressing. Ba5tards.
    We should set up a committee to complain to EI about it. I'm sure they will take our complaints on board and "touch base going forward" about it.

    no real fate in EI. They should be out there dealing with the government and companies trying to create employment for engineers no matter what field people are working in


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭spideog7


    godtabh wrote: »
    Can you get your contract extended?

    Nope.

    Thanks for all ye're replies anyway lads, even though none of ye had good news!! Saturday is the St. Patrick's Day parade here, I plan to go boozing from the rugby match on so with a bit of luck I'll start chatting to the right people :D if not at least I'll forget my jobless worries for a few hours!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭BlackEdelweiss


    Do a bit of research online before coming home and try to find the town with the nicest dole office before deciding where to settle. A few points to look for are
    a: What level of shelter is there for you when you are queuing up in the rain around the corner from it.
    b: How bitter the staff are now that they have the busiest job in the country.
    c: What the local clientele are like, this is quite important as you will be spending some memorable hours sandwiched in between their conversations in the que.

    On a more positive note, England seems to be picking up in several areas, not sure about yours but companies I have been talking to are saying they have started hiring again. The olympics are bringing alot of work there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41 CompositeJohn


    Stay there fella, my girl is from PA and is studying in Penn State. Lifestyle is great over there and if you can get another visa go for it, however you managed to get one in the first place! Have been over quite a bit and has a lot of pluses compared to here. Shes coming this direction and I am dreading her trying to find a job.

    That said I myself am moving back from Belfast to a Manufacturing job (Materials) in Galway and cant wait to get started. There does seem to be jobs out there if you look for them. Plenty more in my line in the UK too, thankfully composites seems to be the buzz word of late.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 Pand3mik


    how'd you get your job in the US. I thought many of the companies were only hiring US citizens? Would love the experience of working over there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭spideog7


    I got the job through IAESTE as I was a graduate. Most companies do not require that you be a citizen unless they work with military or other government organisations. Most of them won't sponsor you for a visa though, especially now that there are so many US citizens out of work.

    I'm not a loving my work at the minute, but it looks like I'll have to stay in it as there's nothing at home and I don't think I'd have much chance of getting a different job around here, with such little experience and only being here temporarily.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭devinejay


    Wasn't really sure if I should start a new thread for this, but here goes.

    I'm a second year engineering student in TCD, and soon enough I have to choose which stream of engineering I'd like to get my degree in. I know things are tough all over, and it's hard to tell what they'll be like in 2/3 years time, but I've been asking around to try and at least get an idea what job prospects I might have.

    So basically my question is;
    In Ireland now, and in the near future, is there a clear divide in the job opportunities for a graduate with a degree in mechanical and manufacturing engineering and one with a degree in computer and electronic engineering (the two streams I'm considering)

    I'd probably prefer to do mech eng, but I have the impression I'd have better luck getting a job out of C&E.

    Any thoughts/advice is greatly appreciated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭random.stranger


    I don't envy you devinejay, were living in such uncertain times.

    As a rough measure I did a nationwide job search for both job titles on monster.ie. I got 17 results for mechanical engineer & 32 for electronic engineer (this is a very rough measure, not all vacancies were necessarily relevent).

    What will turn out to be the best choice in two years time is anyone's guess. All this talk of smart economy from politicians is beginning to sound like the same old speach to me, with little substance to back it up.

    My guess would be that Product Development/Design or R&D would be a good area to try to get into (in either discipline) as they are high value added jobs, but that's all it is- a guess.

    Best of luck


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭devinejay


    Thanks for your reply, like I said, any help is appreciated.

    I have been looking at monster and jobs.ie, it gives an interesting indication. I was also talking to an engineer I know from work (I'm a barman), things seem pretty shíte for him at the moment, he's a bit old school and the jobs market isn't great. He mentioned that there was jobs in the manufacturing process area, efficiency and economy of production stuff.

    I'll probably make up my mind last minute, and hope for the best!



    Another slightly related question, is work experience an issue? I know my sister had a pain of a time getting employed with her science degree (to the point where she went back to college) because everywhere wanted 6 months experience, but she had no way of getting it!


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