graduating, but need to brush up on some things

[jayken]

First of all, I'm an electrical engineer graduating within a couple weeks . For various reasons the process to my graduation has been a long one, and I've forgotten a great deal of things about ciruit design... and in general a lot from my first three years here at university. I did take two internships, but application of what I learned at university was fairly low.

Just wondering how this will affect getting a job... I'm afraid they'll ask me a question I won't be able to answer, and I don't have time right now studying for finals to also be worrying about relearning engineering fundamentals.

That said, I am fully confident that once my foot is in the door I can make contributions, I just need to get up to speed.

Also, the job front seems a bit slow at the moment, maybe because this is an atypical time to graduate... a lot of my favorite tech companies in the area aren't hiring (intel, lattice, cypress etc). I'm starting to wonder if I should try job sites like monster and career builder.

 

[Ashereng]

I would try your own school's referral services for alumni first. At least that is usually free, and more focused.

With regards to not being able to answer simple basic questions on an interview, and whether that would affect getting a job, I will be blunt - "What do you think?".

You are in an interview, and I ask you some simple questions that any first or second year should know, and you can't answer them. Sooooo, why would I hire you again, when the next candidate is answering all of my questions, and then some?

You say you can contribute, once you get up to speed. I must hear this hundreds of times from every interviewee. I would suggest you get up to speed and then go for interviews. Otherwise, you are wasting both of our time.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[IRstuff]

Take your best shot and as with the NJROTC inspection my son went to, you can answer, "I don't know Sir, but I will immediately find out."

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[jayken]

thanks to you both for the advice, ive found that even with studying for finals, i might be able to squeeze in some time studying some engineering fundamentals...

also, for any other EE's out there, technically speaking the field i wont to go into is component engineering correct? I want to work with circuits, ICs, PCBs.

 

[IRstuff]

Component engineering wouldn't be that, specifically. Are you talking about circuit design?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[jayken]

yea, circuit design is basically what i want to continue... im just not sure what the position is called... would i call myself a "circuit design engineer"?

 

[dvd]

You probably know more than you realize. If someone asks you a question that you don't know the answer to, you should explain the thought process for solving the problem. There is a big difference between not having a clue and not knowing every formula.

You won't even get an interview if you don't show some potential through what appears on your resume. Make sure you have a resume that doesn't create false expectations, but don't sell yourself short.

 

[IRstuff]

Then call it circuit design. But, circuit design involves some or all of the following:

component selection --> picking the right environmental performance and packaging

parts management --> don't use too many unique parts

component tolerancing --> your design needs work at all the temperature extremes of the system

thermal management --> how are you going to get the heat out?

PCB layout --> a bad layout can introduce parasitics that kill your circuit.


TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Zapster]

Have you considered sitting for the PE exam at sometime in the future? If you get the PE license, even if your industry does not require it, you will have more opportunities. So with that said, I would recommend that you sign up to take the FE exam now. You will then have a clear objective to work towards for the fundamentals.

 

[jayken]

thanks for the additional comments Will keep the resume tips in mind.

FE exam sounds like an excellent idea, wouldn't be a bad idea to be certified.

Well I've decided to work through a book by Sedra/Smith called Microeletronic Circuits... goes all the way from basic concepts through analog and digital circuits. Should be everything I need... will take a while though

 

[tem1234]

jeremykim,

I don't think you should be afraid about this. I don't remember somebody asking me a real technical question in an interview. Typically question are for sizing your personnality.

When i began to work where i am, i realized that i didn't know much, but i'm able to learn. In university, you didn't learn what you will need in your future job, but you learn to learn! (i don't know if this sentence makes senses, sorry for my english)

Interviewer will look at your personality and motivation, so it's important to talk about project that you did, association you are involve...

But of course when your first step will be made in the company, you will have to look up at your old school book to refresh your mind about what you need in your new job

good luck

 

[IRstuff]

Usually, for new grads, we do ask technical questions, particularly if it's related to coursework taken.

One time I asked a new applicant what the input threshold of a TTL gate was. He had no clue, so I explained the problem. The next guy asked the same question with the same result. One other guy also asked the same question with the same result. While our division passed, he was still transferred from the sister division that was laying people off into another division.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[doberdorks]

When i began to work where i am, i realized that i didn't know much, but i'm able to learn. In university, you didn't learn what you will need in your future job, but you learn to learn! (i don't know if this sentence makes senses, sorry for my english)

I have always claimed that a university degree in engineering is like a obedience school certificate -- it proves I'm trainable.

SLH

 

[Noway2]

jeremykim,

The Sedra/Smith book is a classic one used by many universities. I even have a copy of it sitting on my bookshelf.

While I do consult it occasionally, my experience is that it's analysis approach is focuses WAY to heavily on principles that are not generally applicable to real world applications. For example, almost every bipolar transistor problem relies on knowing the exact value of the transistors beta.

If you are looking for a book that is good at bridging the gap between engineering school and the real world, pick up a copy of The Art of Electronics and the associated work book. I bought it a few years back and I will admit that I finally understood stuff that had eluded me for years that was taught in school.

Another suggestion would be to review your circuit analysis book, starting from the beginning. Now that you have (hopefully) gained experience with non linear device, active components, and storage elements you will have a much different view of how to approach basic circuit analysis.

I would also recommend reviewing your calculus and especially your differential equations material. This information will be helpful if you ever want to get into signal processing applications.

Lastly, in all likelihood, it will take you several years of work experience before you are able to really do true design work. Engineering school, in addition to some fundamental basics, teaches you how to think, analyze and how to learn, not how to design.

 

[calguy07]

i'm in my first job out of school and i felt the same way. its hard to remember things several yrs down the road when you've only seen something for a semester once before anyway. the only things i remembered were the absolutely basic stuff that seemed to appear over and over in coursework.

engineering is too vast to expect anyone to remember something really specific. having said that it would be a good idea to brush up on the coursework you claim to specialize in (assuming you did...most of us specialized in a sub branch in EE and i listed specific courses on my resume).

no matter what you know, once you get the job there's still tons of learning to be done and you'll feel like you don't know anything. i'm doing ok now for myself.

for the most part in an interview the best you can in preparation is to know YOURSELF. they'll likely want to get to know you and make sure you fit into the company. if they do ask technical questions it would most likely be related to the work they do so brush up on those areas just in case; i.e. if you go to interview for a telecommunications or software company, wouldn't make sense to brush up on transformers/motors/power system protection, etc, now would it?? lol! you have to focus on how YOU can HELP THEM. in an interview its all about them!! what THEY NEED, not what you want.

 

[AlmostPE]

Rather than study old material, I think it is more beneficial for you to research about the company you are going to have an interview with. Learn more what they actually do. I think you will relearn the stuff from school a lot quicker once you start your job.

 

[jayken]

thanks for the additional replies... all good information. I feel very confident about walking into an interview now