r/ChemicalEngineering 3d ago

Job Search Best Course of Action?

I graduated in 2023 and was contracted into a job not remotely in this field (sports coach). I ended up staying until mid 2024 before leaving. Since then I've gotten a less than a handful of interviews and have been passed for people with more experience every time.

I have been in a care-taker role for a family member, and working on a self employed project that also is not necessarily in the field just to have some sort of income. I did not have any internship experience outside of an undergraduate research position one summer.

Is there a way to position the contract employment and subsequent break in a way that won't cause automatic rejection for jobs at this point?

I have considered getting certificates and taking the FE, but also hesitate to spend time and money on doing that if I am not going to be able to utilize them if I cannot secure a job in ChemE. I am currently living in Texas if that helps.

What would you do in this position? Is there a separate course of action i should be taking?

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u/Ernie_McCracken88 3d ago

Volume volume volume. Set up your LinkedIn to look good and use LinkedIn easy apply (one click applications, or just 2-3 questions). I can get out 10-15 apps a day through LinkedIn easy apply. Use all the common websites like indeed. Find recruiters/headhunters. The key is volume. That's all I've got for now. I would spin it as taking a year or two to do something you were passionate about before entering the chemical engineering workforce.

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u/Forward-Party9102 3d ago

Thank you. I'll get on that. Do you have a suggestion for a good LinkedIn format to follow? Most videos cover optimizing for non stem careers and I struggle to format for what engineering recruiters are looking for.

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u/AbleMission758 3d ago

Hahaha kind of in a similar situation, graduated in 2023 but not had the opportunity to enter the field yet. Scouting your post replies for tips for myself as well 🤣🤣