Do they need engineers in North Dakota? (Fargo, Bismarck: apartment, student loan) - (ND) - City-Data Forum

windsorwindsor1 · 10-18-2013, 11:37 AM

With all the transportation and housing problems, as well as the oil boom itself, I imagine engineers would be in demand.

I'm from Ohio, graduating with a Civil Engineering degree in December, and looking for an entry-level engineering job. There are some jobs here in Ohio, but the cost of living is very low, and so is the pay. I could get an easy job with ODOT for 40k, or make more with a private firm that will likely fire me in six months. There are some jobs in Ohio, but employees are viewed as expendable here. Job fairs I went to were not encouraging, except for companies that wanted me to relocate out of state. $40k may sound high, but not with my student loan payments.

I did some research (other threads in this forum were helpful), and with the higher cost of living ($1500 for an apartment, higher heating bills) I would have to make $60k a year to equal the $40k I'd get at home with ODOT. I'm looking at Minot, but I'll move anywhere where there's work. I've read that Minot isn't exactly family friendly right now, and that's fine. My wife and I are looking to be a DINK (Double income, no kids). I'm 32, a little older than most college grads.

I'm gonna put some resumes out online this weekend. Any hints on where else to look or who i can call? I want to have a job lined up first instead of just winging it. I have to be smart about this. Is the amount I need to make unreasonable for a college grad with no experience?

Another problem is moving to North Dakota in the winter. I'm used to snow, but not -20 degrees. I'd have to actually make it up there first.

Thanks for any info or hints you can give me. We like Ohio but are tired of it and want to experience other parts of this great country.

joeng99 · 10-18-2013, 12:29 PM

Hello,

I'm also curious as to the job market for civil engineers in Ohio. Have you applied to any of the companies? Did many of your classmates from previous years easily find jobs?

dutchinnd · 10-18-2013, 01:16 PM

There are two firms that I know of in Fargo, with branch offices elsewhere in the region that are currently hiring. Some of the positions are in Fargo, but their websites list the openings for all their offices:
KLJ (KLJ), formerly known as Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson
Ulteig (Ulteig | Engineering, Surveying, and Consulting Services)

Fargo has better cost of living than Minot, but I have no idea about their pay scales. Both firms have quite good reputations.

dutchinnd · 10-18-2013, 01:18 PM

Oops--forgot Moore Engineering in West Fargo, which also does transportation: Moore Engineering, Inc. - West Fargo

Corbay · 10-18-2013, 08:04 PM

Interstate Engineering in Jamestown is hiring.
Careers | Interstate Engineering

joeng99 · 10-18-2013, 11:56 PM

Unfortunately those companies are looking for people with experience.

Corbay · 10-19-2013, 05:46 AM

I bet most of them are willing to hire a fresh graduate, and do some training.

joeng99 · 10-20-2013, 01:59 AM

I hope that is the case, but there is a glut of civil engineering majors w/o jobs in California region. I would suspect it is the same nationwide.

Corbay · 10-20-2013, 07:08 AM

I guess those CA graduates need to move to N.D. there is a shortage of them here. As someone who uses engineering companies, they are swamped with work, and it takes a long time for basic work to get completed.

flyingcat2k · 10-20-2013, 08:01 PM

I would agree, there are openings for civils in ND. I think the issue is giving relocation packages to new grads who are not from northern areas. The petroleum firms do use civil firms as well but most of that work will be done at HQ in Denver, OKC, Tulsa or Houston. There are fresh grads coming out of school in Fargo and Grand Forks. Maybe Bismarck or Dickinson would be better areas to try for. Just because people don't want to move to "flyover country" doesn't mean there is a glut everywhere.