Practical Experience

Engineering graduates are likely to get their first job through a college interview. You will be competing for jobs against your classmates, most of whom are likely to have taken similar classes. The best way to differentiate yourself is to get some practical experience. This is obviously something you have to think about well before you start interviewing - even your freshman year isn't too early. Get an on-campus research position, find a summer job in a technical field, or better yet join a co-op or intern program. The job doesn't have to be directly related to composites. The key is to show that you can work outside of an academic environment.

After you have had your first job, practical experience translates into being well-rounded. Even if you specialize in stress analysis, employers like to see that you are willing to work in the shop, getting your hands dirty. This shows not only that you have a better understanding of the materials you work with, but that you are flexible enough to work other jobs as demand changes. It also doesn't hurt to continue your education, by attending short courses and training seminars, and by reading journals and new books to keep up on industry trends and developments.

Interviews

All jobs start with an interview, and you should consult one of the general resources for information on preparing and handling your interview. Be prepared to ask questions of your own, not just answer them. This is your chance to show off your practical knowledge. Don't just ask about company policies - ask about and comment on their current projects. If you're an engineer, don't ignore the technicians on the shop floor. You will be working with them on a daily basis, and they may have a lot of say in whether or not you get the job.

I carry a portfolio to all of my interviews. It is a three-ring binder with summary viewgraphs of my work and pictures of the structures I have built. Actual hardware is always more impressive than words. The portfolio also allows me to give an impromptu presentation or get into a detailed technical discussion about a project.

Classified Ads

Looking for a job through ads used to mean reading the Sunday papers. In technical fields, it means checking the trade journals and other professional publications. Nowadays, it also means searching the Internet job sites.

Don't discount newspapers, especially those from cities that have a high concentration of companies in your field. In composites, this means Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver and Baltimore/DC. Other areas might be fruitful, too: I have found composites jobs in the Albuquerque Journal and the Wall Street Journal.

Trade journals include High Performance Composites, Composites Technology and Composites Fabrication. Publications from closely related industries, such as Aviation Week & Space Technology, can also be a good source of composite job ads.

Internet Resources

The big jobs sites have tens of thousands of listings. Although only a very small number are related to composites, their search engines allow you to quickly find appropriate jobs. Don't limit your search term to just composites: other words that might work well include FEA, mechanical engineer, polymers and other terms related to specialties within the field. The About Career sites provides links to just about all of the big jobs boards, but I suggest starting with Hot Jobs, Monster.com and America's Job Bank. For Hot Jobs, I have a few pre-defined searches on the Essentials page. I even provide a special Jobs section on the Forum section of this site where employers occasionally post openings.

Recruiters

Recruitment firms are contacted directly by employers to fill positions. They also provide career counseling, helping you package yourself to make a better impression on prospective employers. Firms that specialize in technical and composite professionals are listed on the Employment Services page. Not all employers work with recruiters, but some jobs may be available only through recruiters.

Many recruiters now list their openings online. In addition to the general jobs boards, it doesn't hurt to peruse the recruiter sites. You will have to apply for the job through the recruiter (the employer name won't even be listed), but at least you get to see the offerings before signing up with a specific recruiter.

Networking

One of the most important things you can do throughout your career is to maintain a network of contacts in your industry. This is important for your daily job functions, not just when looking for a new employer. You will be talking to manufacturers, suppliers, researchers, salesmen, customers, and other contractors and professionals. Your primary goal is to form a good working relationship with the people outside your company, but you never know where those contacts might lead. Many companies interview job candidates based on personal recommendations. Not only does this mean you will hear about jobs that aren't advertised, but employers also tend to give more weight to prospects who are brought in this way.

Professional Societies

Actively participating in a professional society is an important part of networking. Most also provide career development resources. In the North American composites industry, SAMPE and CFA are the two biggest associations. SAMPE runs a career fair at its annual exhibition (ISSE) every year, and they also publish job opening and job wanted ads in their newsletter.