Where in Southern California can I find Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs? (Los Angeles: job market, school)

[volosong]

Bachelors? Don't know if they have anything open, but you might try Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Think they have on-line listings of available positions. With all the robots and spacecraft they build, I'd expect they would employ a 'ton' of MEs.

[Pennychaser11]

Aren't you suppose to start work in Vernon?
Entry jobs are tough in most fields in socal. Like you whole bunch of new grads from out of state flock to CA for jobs, pushing housing prices higher while competing for limited number of job openings.

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by Pennychaser11

Aren't you suppose to start work in Vernon?
Entry jobs are tough in most fields in socal. Like you whole bunch of new grads from out of state flock to CA for jobs, pushing housing prices higher while competing for limited number of job openings.

I thought I was too, but they didnt call back after the second interview. I just wanted to plan a few steps ahead and find a decent area to live in around there assuming they did hire me.

Thats cool ive been told SoCal is tough to get hired in. No worries ill look eslwhere

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by volosong

Bachelors? Don't know if they have anything open, but you might try Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Think they have on-line listings of available positions. With all the robots and spacecraft they build, I'd expect they would employ a 'ton' of MEs.

I think they only allow candidates with a high GPA over there. Mine was really low which is why I am inclined towards getting a masters in ME (family can support for a few years) and see if that will help.
Competition is fierce nowadays!

[Joe33]

Its almost impossible to get a real engineering job these days.
Try looking at sales jobs where they want an engineer for.

Yes, the whole STEM thing is a bunch of BS. Almost all entry level jobs go to H1_B holders these days and anything else you really got to know your stuff or they just hire some consulting group from India to do it.

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by Joe33

Its almost impossible to get a real engineering job these days.
Try looking at sales jobs where they want an engineer for.

Yes, the whole STEM thing is a bunch of BS. Almost all entry level jobs go to H1_B holders these days and anything else you really got to know your stuff or they just hire some consulting group from India to do it.

thats just an extreme opinion but to each his own

[Pennychaser11]

Originally Posted by varun2123

thats just an extreme opinion but to each his own

He's got a point. Not to sound too negative, it's just the way it is. I have a degree in chemistry and currently work at management level. We have hired entry level chemists making $15/hr. She went to a nice private school in TX, and to expensive private university, only to make $15/hr. She was let go due to her performance. I have seen jobs that pay $13/hr for someone with science degree and it's ridiculous. I also know someone who is a BSME from UCSD and after almost a year landed a temp job making $20/hr, which I think it's too low. I can give so many examples of this. I was ME major back in college as well but switched to biochemistry to pursue pharmacy school, but school debt scared me away. Stay positive and keep looking, you'll end up with something.

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by Pennychaser11

He's got a point. Not to sound too negative, it's just the way it is. I have a degree in chemistry and currently work at management level. We have hired entry level chemists making $15/hr. She went to a nice private school in TX, and to expensive private university, only to make $15/hr. She was let go due to her performance. I have seen jobs that pay $13/hr for someone with science degree and it's ridiculous. I also know someone who is a BSME from UCSD and after almost a year landed a temp job making $20/hr, which I think it's too low. I can give so many examples of this. I was ME major back in college as well but switched to biochemistry to pursue pharmacy school, but school debt scared me away. Stay positive and keep looking, you'll end up with something.

you're points are valid. I know Chem majors at best will only get lab tech jobs which are **** pay. I do agree this whole STEM field thing is either bull**** or finding jobs in general regardless of any field is just tough in 2016.

[thenext88]

I know your pain. I graduated in 09 right after the big crash. I was top 5% in my ME class, and I still couldn't find a job. I went back to school for a few years which delayed the "SoCal dream" for a few years. I developed a few skills for a very hot market (data science) and now I'm living comfortably in Santa Monica. Better late than never.

It's really tough right to find something right out of school. The reality is you're going up against candidates who have 1-2 years of experience or M.S. degrees, and maybe even some PhDs. The what you know (and even more importantly - can show) wins out. Those with 1-2 years or higher degree are going to have that.

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by thenext88

I know your pain. I graduated in 09 right after the big crash. I was top 5% in my ME class, and I still couldn't find a job. I went back to school for a few years which delayed the "SoCal dream" for a few years. I developed a few skills for a very hot market (data science) and now I'm living comfortably in Santa Monica. Better late than never.

It's really tough right to find something right out of school. The reality is you're going up against candidates who have 1-2 years of experience or M.S. degrees, and maybe even some PhDs. The what you know (and even more importantly - can show) wins out. Those with 1-2 years or higher degree are going to have that.

If i cant find anything within the next few months will it be bad if I get my MSME instead? I dont have any professional experience and I'm turning 27 in a few months.