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Plutonius

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Entry Level Engineer
« on: Jan 21, 2011, 02:59 »
I recently graduated college with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have EIT cerfication in the state of ohio and graduated with around a 3.4 GPA. My two favorite classes during college were definitely thermodynamics and heat transfer and I am downright fascinated with anything that runs on the Rankine Cycle.

Well anywho...

I applied for entry level mechanical engineering positions at Exelon, Progress Energy and PG&E (Diablo Canyon). I was wondering how long does it take for a response from those companies? I applied for Progress back in December and my status has recently changedfrom Applied to Under Consideration.

PG&E is a bit strange as their particular job opening has been open since November but I only just applied for the position on the 9th of January.

I definitely have the drive and the desire to start my engineering career in the Nuclear field (or Coal/Natural Gas).
« Last Edit: Jan 21, 2011, 08:32 by Plutonius »

Offline Hawkbill

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #1 on: Jan 21, 2011, 04:47 »
Quote
I was wondering how long does it take for a response from those companies?

Probably about 2-3 weeks after you've given up hope from hearing from them.

dtucker89

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #2 on: Jan 21, 2011, 05:09 »
That made my day, Hawkbill.

Daniel

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #3 on: Jan 21, 2011, 05:40 »
I did not intend for my comment to come off as anything related to defiance.
Defiant? No. Motivated? Yes!

That is about as much as I expected. I guess waiting is becoming my full time job :)
« Last Edit: Jan 21, 2011, 05:57 by Plutonius »

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #4 on: Jan 21, 2011, 08:33 »
Perhaps I misinterpreted your use of the word 'defiantly'.

Oh darn, spelling mistakes can certainly alter the mean of a sentence.  ;)

Offline HydroDave63

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #5 on: Jan 21, 2011, 08:47 »
Oh darn, spelling mistakes can certainly alter the mean of a sentence.  ;)

On the other hand, it could be an innovative new interview technique...

"Duuude, I frickin' dare you to hire me into your otherwise scrub organization..."  :P

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #6 on: Jan 22, 2011, 11:50 »
On the other hand, it could be an innovative new interview technique...

"Duuude, I frickin' dare you to hire me into your otherwise scrub organization..."  :P

I can only imagine how that particular interview technique would lead to.  :o


I do have a second question though. Has anyone ever experienced a job opening that has been active for 3+ months? Is that a bad sign?
« Last Edit: Jan 22, 2011, 11:52 by Plutonius »

Offline ceefroe

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #7 on: Jan 22, 2011, 12:24 »
I applied for an Auxiliary Op job 7/31/2010, took the POSS 10/25/2010, interviewed on 01/04/2011, and am currently waiting to hear back (they said about another week or two).  The posting was only up for about a week on Entergy's website though. If the trend stays true, I should hear back from them sometime in the beginning of April   :P

Remember Pluto, their timeline is never the same as yours.

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #8 on: Jan 22, 2011, 12:29 »
I applied for an Auxiliary Op job 7/31/2010, took the POSS 10/25/2010, interviewed on 01/04/2011, and am currently waiting to hear back (they said about another week or two).  The posting was only up for about a week on Entergy's website though. If the trend stays true, I should hear back from them sometime in the beginning of April   :P

Remember Pluto, their timeline is never the same as yours.

Not to mention they downgraded me from Planet to Planetoid! Do you have any idea what the odds of getting an interview are when you`re simply a run of the mill Planetoid?
« Last Edit: Jan 22, 2011, 12:30 by Plutonius »

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #9 on: Jan 23, 2011, 12:12 »
One last question, I promise!

How important is a EIT certificate with respect to engineering positions at a Nuclear Power Plant?
« Last Edit: Jan 23, 2011, 12:14 by Plutonius »

Offline HydroDave63

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #10 on: Jan 23, 2011, 06:08 »
One last question, I promise!

How important is a EIT certificate with respect to engineering positions at a Nuclear Power Plant?

Makes you more interesting for new hire. Won't get paid more or be anyone's boss for it.

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #11 on: Jan 23, 2011, 07:45 »
Makes you more interesting for new hire. Won't get paid more or be anyone's boss for it.

That is good to hear. I certainly don`t expect a higher wage or being anyone's boss. One has to gain experience before such things. All I want to do is get my foot in the door and bust my butt.
« Last Edit: Jan 23, 2011, 07:47 by Plutonius »

lionhart

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #12 on: Jan 23, 2011, 10:49 »
My timeline for NLO.

Applied Aug.
Interviewed Nov.
Offered in Jan.
Now I have a start date in March.

lionhart

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #13 on: Jan 24, 2011, 11:16 »
Congratulations on getting a job.  How does your post relate to becoming an entry level Engineer?

In reference to Utilities hiring time tables mentioned in above post.



"I applied for entry level mechanical engineering positions at Exelon, Progress Energy and PG&E (Diablo Canyon). I was wondering how long does it take for a response from those companies? I applied for Progress back in December and my status has recently changedfrom Applied to Under Consideration."

"Probably about 2-3 weeks after you've given up hope from hearing from them."

"I applied for an Auxiliary Op job 7/31/2010, took the POSS 10/25/2010, interviewed on 01/04/2011, and am currently waiting to hear back (they said about another week or two).  The posting was only up for about a week on Entergy's website though. If the trend stays true, I should hear back from them sometime in the beginning of April   Tongue

Remember Pluto, their timeline is never the same as yours."


« Last Edit: Jan 24, 2011, 11:19 by lionhart »

Offline Benwah033

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #14 on: Jan 24, 2011, 07:56 »
One last question, I promise!

How important is a EIT certificate with respect to engineering positions at a Nuclear Power Plant?

An EIT certificate is not important at all because there is nothing different between an engineer who passes his EIT and one who doesn't take it.  A PE license could potentially be worth something, but if you are working in the thermo/heat transfer area it won't be important to you either.  PEs are typically usefull in civil/structural work, with some piping-related work for mechanical engineers, but not-so-much on the thermo side.

Offline Smooth Operator

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #15 on: Jan 27, 2011, 11:43 »
An EIT certificate is not important at all because there is nothing different between an engineer who passes his EIT and one who doesn't take it.  A PE license could potentially be worth something, but if you are working in the thermo/heat transfer area it won't be important to you either.  PEs are typically usefull in civil/structural work, with some piping-related work for mechanical engineers, but not-so-much on the thermo side.

I disagree. I have read engineer job postings and many prefer EIT.
It won't hurt. If it cam down to you and someone without EIT, it could be a tipping point in your favor.
Exelon gives a small bonus to passing your EIT, so it must be somewhat significant.

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #16 on: Jan 27, 2011, 02:39 »
Unfortunately the HR software Exelon decided to implement is a bit archaic. I have applied for other companies that used the same software and the HR status seems to never change from the "applied" status.

I recently applied for an entry level engineering position at Palo Verde and Xcel Energy. With so many applications, I am hoping for just one response in the coming months.
« Last Edit: Jan 27, 2011, 02:43 by Plutonius »

Offline tr

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #17 on: Jan 28, 2011, 06:06 »
Do you have access to Nuclear News?  There are often ads in the back by companies that are hiring.  Also check on Monster.com, as I know people who have gotten engineering jobs with Exelon through it (apply to hire in 1 month).  Other utilities (like mine) can take months and months.

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #18 on: Jan 28, 2011, 09:32 »
Do you have access to Nuclear News?  There are often ads in the back by companies that are hiring.  Also check on Monster.com, as I know people who have gotten engineering jobs with Exelon through it (apply to hire in 1 month).  Other utilities (like mine) can take months and months.

I actually use Indeed.com. It is basically a giant search engine that includes practically everything, including monster. I also search for entry level positions on the each companies career section. Yes, it does take quite a while, but I am dedicated.
« Last Edit: Jan 28, 2011, 09:34 by Plutonius »

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #19 on: Jan 31, 2011, 01:48 »
Is there anything else I could do to improve my chances of getting an interview?

JustinHEMI05

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #20 on: Jan 31, 2011, 02:05 »
Pray.

Justin

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #21 on: Jan 31, 2011, 02:16 »
Pray.

Justin

Been there, done that! :)

JustinHEMI05

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #22 on: Jan 31, 2011, 02:25 »
How about know someone that can hand deliver your resume?

Justin

Plutonius

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #23 on: Jan 31, 2011, 03:06 »
How about know someone that can hand deliver your resume?

Justin

Unfortunately I do not.

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Entry Level Engineer
« Reply #24 on: Feb 07, 2011, 05:02 »
Unfortunately I do not.

Ask HR person to. thats what I ended up doing :)

FWIW my timeline..

applied october to about 15 different utilities for different types of jobs.

looked around for a while. Heard NOTHING FROM ANY ONE for months.

then in early december, I got calls from 5 different plants to take MASS, TECH, and POSS tests. Passed all of them, got interview requests from several different companies.

interviewed at my current plant, offered a job 2 HOURS after (not common of course), and started 2 weeks later.

When it rains it pours. Just keep applying to places, and keep your head up :)

 


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