Switching Industries

[cjohnso0]

Hi folks,

I've been reading through some of these career-based posts and found lots of information to ponder. Now I've got a question of my own I'd like to pose.

I am currently working in the aerospace industry (3 years now) for a turbine overhaul and repair company. Originally, my job was to develop repairs for defective engine components. Over the last 1 to 1.5 years, my job has changed gears to processing jobs that come through the shop.

My big question of the day, is how hard is it to find a job in a different industry, doing different work? Example, my dream job (so I hope) would be working at an automotive company doing R+D on engines, as I enjoy heat transfer and thermo.

I graduated in 2001 with my BSME, and am about 1/2 through my MSME.

Any help, ideas, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Binary]

In the current job climate, switching industries is very tough because employers are typically looking for an exact fit.

However, if your MSME has some focus on automotive then that should help.

It would also help if you can network and find an internal contact so that your resume actually gets looked at for more than 10 seconds as someone picks it off of the pile.

Try to identify the skills and experience from your current position which are directly applicable to your desired position and then play those up on your resume/cover letter.

My personal experience has been that it's tough to switch industries but not impossible.

 

[Comcokid]

cjohnso0
Begin to form more direct connections to your target industry. In your case, get an SAE memberbership to start - the SAE covers both Aerospace, automotive, and other vehicles (

http://www.sae.org).

This will fit with both your current and target employment. This gives you one more connecting thread on your resume.

Also, keep your eyes open to less ovibous companies that may be involved with the technologies you would like to work on. Detroit is not the only one doing engine R&D. Industrial and marine companies are very involved also (Caterpillar, Cummins, Mercury Marine, etc.). Use your time till you finish your MSME to investigate and select the best companies and get to know them.

 

[jpankask]

Check with your university career and employment services (as it's called at my university). They should have a listing of companies that hire in the area you are looking. They may also have a resume/job service or on-campus interviewing that will help you get a foot in the door with a new company in the area of your interests. Most companies are not going to come to university looking for MS students but a few will. Those that aren't looking specifically for a master's student might be pleasantly surprised to find you when they get a chance to talk with you and look over your resume. Good luck.

 

[GregLocock]

You might need to consider two steps:

1) get into R&D on aerospace turbines

then

2) transfer across to R&D on automotive engines

This should not stop you from applying direct for automotive jobs in the interim, of course.

FWIW I work for one of the big 3 in Australia and we happily interview aerospace guys (so long as they'll do FMEAs OUR way, not their way). There again we still have a skills shortage out here.



Cheers

Greg Locock