CTMechE

Looks interesting, but it reminds me of a qualifications question. Since there are several engineers on the forum, and since there's no separate qualifications thread, I'll ask it here:

Many Mechanical Engineering jobs say that "SolidWorks experience is a plus." It's been 6 yrs since I've graduated, and I used several CAD programs in school, but thanks to my company's legacy "Marine Draftsmen's Association" union, engineers are not allowed to do any drawings or design work.

SolidWorks seems like it's the tool most companies use, but I've never touched it. The question is: where can I get "SolidWorks Experience?"

I realize I can probably pay some decent money and take a class on it, but that's not really my ideal way of learning. I'd want some way to be able to continually keep up to date and improve, rather than just take a one time class.

Any ideas?

boltonblue

it becomes tough to stay current with tools.
in your case becuase of unions.
I'd suggest a class is the easiest.
if you have access to a seat, solidworks has a great on-line tutorial.

it's is ironic that solidworks has student copies for $89 but you have to be a full time student to qualify.
so chumps like you and me can't get/buy 1 year evaluation copies to learn on becuase we're already engineers.

My high school son bought a copy of mathworks.
I'm sure he has found it to be very valuable.

back to topic, find a way to get tools on your machine.
Few places maintain the legacy shop union rules and engineers are expected to do their own drawings.

CTMechE

I've been trying to do that... I have to see if I can get some connections back to college students. Unfortunately, my usual shady routes for media are coming up empty... but I'll keep trying.

I wasn't sure if there was anything obvious I hadn't seen out there. While no mechanical engineer can keep up on all aspects when it comes to tools of the trade, the lack of software design/modeling work for engineers here is a glaring hole when it comes to one of the fundamental skills.

Thanks for the help.

elmmx5

I have access to a bunch of Solidworks media. Licensing is another story.

boltonblue

Licensing is easy.
just write a really big check.

mhdelano

Hi,

I'm going out on a whim here, but would anybody be interested in hiring an entry-level mechanical engineer? I graduated from Lehigh University in 2008 with a BS in mechanical engineering. Worked for a power plant company in New Jersey until energy prices crashed late '08 early '09 and was subsequently laid off.

Other than just asking for a career I also wanted to ask for some advice, haha. Is Mass. a good state for entry level engineering positions? Would I be better off looking somewhere else? I had to move home since my last job, so I've only been looking in Mass. However, I'm starting to wonder if I should expand that search.

Appreciate any help at all.

The Hoth

My group is hiring entry level financial reporting specialists.

If anyone knows someone graduating from college or have 1 to 2 years working experiences in finance and accounting fields and are interested in financial statements and other compliance works, please have him or her contacted me.

josserman

my customer is looking for a SharePoint guru - westport, ct

EOE

Looking for work for over 6 months now. Still nothing. Any one got any leads?

Sending resume out is like sending it in a black hole. Never hear back. I do about 5 to 10 applications a week on Craigslist.

Resume posted on Monster/CareerBuilder/YahooHotJobs

No hits, nothing.


My Resume
http://www.mediafire.com/file/lhyntnthzwj/Dmitriy Resume 2010 (2).doc

Legal Bill

Dimitriy,

I read it. I'd say go back to school. You are competeing against people with just as much experience AND college degrees. In this environment, employers are not too likely to even give you a call when there are ten degreed people looking for the same job. Now is the time to get an education.