Episode 51 of the Engineering Success Podcast
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LinkedIn Lunatics/Career Craziness
1. Best rejection I’ve had
2. Such advanced. Most innovation. Agree??
Interview Question of the Week:
Sent in by Mel Phillips: Tell Me About A Time You Failed
Yeah, you’re just going to have to listen to the podcast for this story 🙂 It starts at about the eight minute mark.
Engineering College Q’s
3. What should I pick for college? Automotive or mechanical engineering?
Hey guys I’m still in high school and few months from now I’ll graduating but I’m still not still sure of which course should I study for college. I’m into cars btw that’s why those two are my choices.
Edit: I need some hint and clues about those two. I want to know which of that courses fits me. Thanks for anyone who will give me tips I need.
I’m in an awkward position where I’ll graduate May 2025, but only have a couple classes my last semester. It makes more sense to me to add a minor than go to school part-time my last semester (part-time is expensive as hell and I don’t get grants or scholarships on it).
My main contenders are currently
Data Science (15 credits needed)
Journalism (15 credits needed)
Physics (10 credits needed)
Pure Math (12 credits needed)
Applied Math (9 credits needed)
Economics (9 credits needed)
Biology (7 credits needed)
What minor makes the most sense for a Mechanical Engineering student? Math and Physics seem kind of redundant with an Engineering degree, even though there’s quite a few different classes).
5. Employer wants my salary history going back 10 years (I know… this is out of place)
A company that I am in the final stages of employment with sent me over a background screening form which they want me to list not just my prior employment history of dates (which they can see from my resume) but also the salary I was paid.
Is this a red flag? I’ve never had an organization ask for this before in writing.
6. Do companies really care about student organizations?
Do companies really care or look into any clubs or organizations that you joined? I understand if it helps and even benefits, but is it really necessary?
I joined a few clubs and they are good, but they’re not what I am interested in and unfortunately they’re pretty much the only interesting ones that I could find. I don’t want to be that guy that just do the work when needed because I understand there’s more passionate people than me and I don’t want to hold them down or anything like that.
Also, finding time for them and studying has been a huge challenge, especially since I’m commuting.
If I could focus on internships/co-ops and my gpa, would that be enough?
Career Advice
7. Is random work experience necessary ?
Not talking about internships, but rather odd part time jobs.
I am wondering how does it look on a cv not working during school time ??
I am blessed that where i am tuituon is covered and gov grants are ok.
I feel guilty saying this, but I’d rather spend extra time on fun and as stupid as it sounds going into raves on the weekends rather than working. And of course besides keeping a good GPA.
So I’m not sure if having odd job experience will boost your cv, or are internships enough ?
8. Was just rejected after 3 interviews, a salary negotiation, and a 15 hour “project”
Feeling the feels today after I received a rejection call for a position that would truly be a “dream job” for me. I put probably 60+ hours into learning about the company, going through their training program, and even producing a real world project for them that took roughly 15-20 hours. (Over one weekend because they said they just needed it in a rush and then they could move forward with me.)
Today I was told that they just don’t know what they want and they are starting again from ground zero to redesign the position. Also they couldn’t hire me because I would require too much “mentorship” and the CEO is too busy (I have 12+ years experience).
Here’s the real rub. I actually pulled out of the interview process a week ago due to a few red flags I was seeing with the company. The CEO then called me 4x (I missed the first 3 calls and he kept trying) and begged me to reconsider, and told me if I could just do this project to demonstrate my skills that they were really ready to move forward.
So I did the project, sent it to them and then 2 weeks later I got a call today saying basically the opposite of everything he told me when he called. But good news! I made it as far as any candidate for this particular position has ever made it. Swell.
I’m sad that I won’t get to do the actual job which would have been fun but I know I dodged a bullet working with these people. I still feel sad and used. It feels like they just wanted my ideas and sample work and I wouldn’t be shocked to find they go with an internal candidate.
9. Just had a company lower the salary after I accepted offer. Ever happen to anyone else?
I have 7 years of experience in my field, and have not had an issue like this before. Had another offer I liked but the benefits were better with this one. Used the other offer to negotiate a higher salary.
So after all of that, they notice I didn’t get a bachelor. They then proceed to let me know they have to offer me a lower salary, 10k lower. This already felt like a lowball salary to start. I ended up declining the low-low ball offer because it just tainted any joy I had with the idea of working with them.
I just had a near panic attack Monday because I am positive the other company wouldn’t have done this and haven’t ever had this happen before. I did reach out to the other offer but I’m not optimistic (I don’t blame them) but it really took the steam out of my job search and it’s just been a low point in a already struggle bus year.
Just needed to vent. This felt insane and my friends and family are like shocked as well. My anxiety is now through the roof. I have a reliable part time gig keeping me afloat but this just really lowered my optimism.
Has this happened to any of y’all?
10. Is it pointless to negotiate for 65k when offered 60k?
This is my first full time job after graduating a few months ago. I was offered 60k when the range was 60-70k. The position is entry level and they stated they wanted someone fresh out of college. (Idk if this is relevant they also reached out to me first)
I have 3 years of relevant business internship experience (and years of retail experience which may not be relevant but hey it gave me some transferable skills.)
My sibling is telling me it’s not worth negotiating because 5k doesn’t add much to your pay check. I understand but I am commuting an hour so that’s at least gas money lol.… I received an offer in June which I declined (because it wasn’t a good fit for me) and they offered me 65k + bonus so I feel like 65k isn’t crazy to ask for.
Anyone have advice or tips on first if it is worth asking for and what I should say in my negotiation email? I never negotiated before.
EDIT: thanks for the advice everyone. Besides my sibling I have no one to ask to get advice regarding this kind of stuff. I’m sorry if my post is pointless but I literally just wanted a second opinion. ** I am obviously grateful for the offer*
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Subscribe on YouTube to watch short excerpts of podcast episodes addressing specific topics: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj86alc3a7_A_PibgYpkWFg Daniel is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Trinity University’s B.S. in Engineering Science and currently works in Commercial Management in the Engineering and Construction Consulting Industry. All views expressed on this podcast are his own and do not reflect the opinions or views of his employer. Music by Maxgotthetracks: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Pclog68AY1
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