Thglimited - Heavy Industries

I was a little wary when I chose to do the SAE Formula Hybrid project because I was afraid of getting stuck in the automotive industry.  My engineering education showed me the many options I have as a mechanical engineer.  Instead of highlighting one that I’m interested in, it showed me that a lot is interesting.  I want to have a diverse career.  I like product development and developing green technology.  It sounds like great fun, and I feel that design is my strength and talent.  I like energy and utilities because it has a great impact on the environment and I can focus on sustainability.

Well, before rambling on, I should mention that beggars can’t be choosers.  I have noticed that engineering jobs are very particular in the candidates they’re looking for and everyone is looking for experienced professionals.  I have seen many mechanical design engineering positions and I even started focusing on them, but there must be a large pool of individuals looking for entry-level design work.  They have had the highest applicant volumes and I received automated rejections.

Another point to note is CVS.  I intend to call tomorrow and let Robert Valley know that I need to be formally terminated.  I called the CVS in Portland, the nearest and likely the only one in the area.  The manager said, “we are not a typical CVS, we don’t have much of a front end.  We mostly ship out our products and medications.  We are looking for a part time shipper, though.”  He asked me for my email and said he would send information and an application.  (He hasn’t).

This job that I have been offered at Daimler Truck North America is intended for Mechanical Engineer 1.  Sounds good so far.  It’s part of the Reliability team.  Basically, broken down big rigs come in and report to this department.  The truck is checked out and any broken parts are identified, documented (my role), and sent to the engineering departments that designed them (not me).   I believe I do something along the lines of a temporary fix or replacement while the other engineers work on a long-term solution or recall.  The job is very hands on and dirty with documentation as a high priority.

So, in order to be fully considered for this engineering position, I have to call tomorrow, before noon, and express my interest in it.  The engineer/manager wants to bring on someone that is going to love their job every day.

I was a little sad to hear that I won’t be anywhere near SolidWorks or CATIA (design software) for the length of my contract.  This is a hands on job with some failure analysis and testing with extensive documentation.  It will be very lucrative and will look good on my resume and give me the years of experience other companies are looking for.  It will not, however, give me design experience to put on my resume and give me a boost in that direction.  I won’t get to influence new developments and push green technology, but thankfully, this company is doing its best to do so even without pushing the envelop too far.

This is the perfect time for a job like this, though.  I think this is a perfect early-career, introduction-to-engineering job.  I think I could have a lot of fun working with teammates and dealing directly with machines.  I get the impression that I am going to be bridging the communication between mechanics and engineers-which I secretly enjoy doing.

My gut is telling me to hold out for greater and grander, but the realist is telling me to take what I can get.  The economist is saying moooo-neeeee.  The romanticist is crying for attention and wants to make a difference.  And I am probably going to tell the manager what he wants to hear so that I can take this job, do my very best, and make the most out of it.