It’s frustrating when people tell you that you need experience before you can get a job in your field, but the only work you’ve done is non-technical, like serving customers at the local pub or restaurant.
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) would like to offer some practical advice to get you job-ready when you graduate. The key thing to remember is that, in addition to your technical knowledge, employers are looking at your non-technical skills as the factors that set you apart from other applicants.
According to a recent study by Engineers Canada (www.engineerscanada.ca), the good news is that an overwhelming majority (87%) of engineering employers consider graduates from Canadian universities, including yours, as having the engineering or technical knowledge necessary for entry-level jobs.
These same engineering employers do not, however, hold the same positive view of the non-technical skills of recent graduates: Only 64% expressed satisfaction. Non-technical skills include general communication, inter-personal skills and being a team player. In addition, working with non-technical staff and report writing were deemed to be very important skills for successful applicants.
So, what will set you apart in those cover letters and conversations with company representatives at a career fair? It’s the non-technical skills mentioned above, but there’s more to consider.
Let’s take a student working as a server and making his or her way through an accredited university engineering program. Sometime during fourth year, the soon-to-be grad starts looking for and applying to entry-level engineering positions like those listed on OSPE’s (members only) job posting site, on company websites or by other sources. He or she quickly realizes that while all jobs require an engineering degree and some technical specifics, most postings also list a wide range of non-technical experience and expertise for employment, such as:
- excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
- ability to work both independently and in a team
- demonstrated creativity
- aptitude for leadership
- communication, customer-service and interpersonal skills, and
- outstanding organizational skills
Instead of becoming discouraged, students should look at the skills they have developed in their current non-technical position. As a server, they’ve learned how to keep their customers happy while dealing with challenges in an often fast-paced environment. They’ve learned to work independently, but they still belong to a team of employees. They’ve made quick decisions and demonstrated leadership in challenging situations while interacting with a wide range of personalities–all examples of the soft skills employers deem invaluable.
Finally, at career fairs, make sure you know what the company you’re approaching does! This should be a natural first step, but it’s surprising how many students neglect to do this. Before you approach a prospective employer, do your homework. Look the company up on the Internet; find out what it does and the projects it’s working on; look at its career section to view jobs, even if you’re not fully qualified for them. Then, approach the representative at the booth to ask questions or comment on some of the company’s work, to show that you’re familiar with it. While you may not end up working there, chances you’ll be remembered much more favourably than someone seeking work but not knowing what the company is all about.
These are just a few of the many suggestions OSPE has to offer you. Something to think about if you are an engineering student is to join OSPE as a student member for only $25 a year (plus HST) and tap into OSPE’s members-only job posting site.
Bottom line- persevere, establish strategic ways to search for jobs, set yourself apart and take stock of all your skills.
Good luck!
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
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