I first studied Bachelors in Electrical Engineering. It was mostly focused with power electronics, electrical machines, transformers, control ect. Digital, analog and telecom was not main focus. We also learned some C and SPICE programs like PSpice to simulate circuits. Then I took a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering on radio-wave propagation, antennas, transmission lines and signal processing. My thesis was theoretical, so no internship.


After graduation, many years I looked for job or PhD in the field related to my master’s degree. But I didn't even get a single interview, mostly because of lack of experience I guess. Years past I became around 30 and was living in depression. I tried even for short term for pocket money dishwashing and newspaper delivery and couldn’t manage both mentally and physically.


At the end I got a part time job in a civil engineering company as a tech which deals with wind fluid dynamics measurements, mechanical vibrations of structures ect. They have workshop where many tools and lab equipment for electronics as well. They also have a AC motor for creating wind. But I wasn’t doing engineering job mostly technical.


After a year they asked me if I would like to be hired as an electrical engineer as full time permanent contract in their company since the rest were civil and mechanical engineers. I also had to do tasks like paper works checking some values for calibrations ect which I never liked that part. One does not need any degree for those tasks. Anyway I accepted this offer 5 years ago because I suffered too much from unemployment and didn’t want to be back in those suicidal days. Now Im 35 and have a more comfortable situation, at least I don't do anymore those paper work. I have a desk all sort of electronic lab equipment on my table.


I mostly deal with when there are noise/inference issues in a measurement system and try to solve them. And maybe designing simple analog circuit two times a year. Very rare using microcontroller. They deal with interesting things but I was just calibrating instruments there or sometimes making analog circuits like sine to square wave converters or analog time delay relays. I also check a lot of instrumentation amplifiers and read a lot about them. I give technical support when they make measurement projects sometimes make boxes for their measurements systems.


But all these do not satisfy me. There is no other EE in the company only me. I feel like I’m all alone with simple tasks and not enough challenge for my career. Yes they can’t do what I do there but as an EE they are trivial tasks. This makes me stuck with this company and makes me to get other job harder, since companies require many years of specific experience.


For the last couple of years, I have been reading a lot about analog electronics transistors, opAmps, inAmps to keep my knowledge alive. I learned LTSpice and MATLAB very well throughout the years and designed couple of PCBs in Altium. I follow online courses in analog signal processing and analog electronics theory. I also recently started online course in power electronics. So because of disinterest and lack of challenge at work I spend so much effort to study electronics myself more than in school times. Every day after work I go to library and study. But when I apply for a job I still get no interview.


Electrical engineering is like an ocean. I’m hired as an EE but I’m really scared about my career. I had/have many interests radio engineering or signal processing like in my masters, instrumentation and power electronics. Basically any filed of EE is fine. I even thought to stop work and start another Master’s but it is too risky after many years I might not get even this kind of job. I’m really eager to learn and develop myself but at the end of the day without relevant experience the education doesn’t count.


Sometimes I start a book to make a transceiver but then I start to think it is waste of time. It will remain as hobby no one will hire. Then I start reading about general electronics theory. But I feel like to choose one and focus on it.


I’m kind of lost about what to choose and focus. I don't even know whether the game over for me. I have no one to share my concerns in my life or get advice. Regarding my background and experience what would be your advice? I would really appreciate your suggestions or tips and I’m ready to answer if you have questions about my question.

 

This may make you laugh, but I suggest finding yourself a good life coach. Their job is to help you identify your personal dreams and desires and then formulate a plan for achieving them. It’s not as simple as it sounds and the good ones have a lot of training and tools to help.

Many professionals get a form of coaching from their colleagues. That appears unavailable in your situation so I recommend you seek out professional organizations to join. Go to their local meetings and attend the annual expo, if there is such a thing. Present a paper. That’s also a good way to meet potential new employers.

 

Where do you live and with what companies have you applied for work?

 

It's really hard to believe such a post. Where are you at? No matter. You have to be willing to travel. Travel and re-locate to find employer, and willing to accept traveling jobs.

Most companies have problems filling jobs that require travel. And pay a premium.

Power generation, distribution, transportation, industrial maintenance, and regulatory work.......all will take un-experineced EE graduates.

Anybody will hire an EE. Where do you live?

 

Where do you live and with what companies have you applied for work?

Currently I live and work in Denmark/Copenhagen as an expat for seven years. Before I lived and had masters in Sweden. Originally from another country. I applied hundreds of companies small middle big size. Yo may only heard of international ones Siemens, Vestas, Maersk ect. There are many companies here local as well. They only hire people with 6 to 10 years of experience in a very specific field. Like "At least 6 years of experience in audio design" ect. I also have no prof. network here. Im confused what to do to find a way out. If I see any light I can even spend half of my salary for that. But they dont have such courses or any option here so far I couldn't find. I can only think of an online masters. But I dont trust education's power on employment after such bad experience. All I can say here the wind power sector is huge in this country.

 

If you've applied to hundreds of companies of all sizes and not gotten a single interview, then there is possibly a problem with your resume or what you put on the job applications. You might take your resume and a few of the applications you've filled out and have someone look them over. If you don't want to have someone at your current company do that, then go to a trade fair, an employment office, the career center at a local university, a local professional society meeting, such as IEEE or any of several others.

But definitely do something different than what you have been doing, because clearly it isn't working too well.

You might consider applying to those companies for an electrical technician level position and working your way up as you gain experience. Point out that they are getting an inexperienced masters-level engineer at a technician's pay that is eager to learn THEIR particular trade so as to become a masters-level engineer with significant experience that is precisely relevant to THEIR particular trade.

 

This outreach by you may be a critical step. You must also consider timing. Companies and positions you sought a few years ago may now be open, available, looking for people.

There's a website called eng-tips you might add to your network.

The IEEE is a great and accessible organization in some areas. Universities and technical schools have groups of people affiliated with them, and clubs. Amateur radio clubs frequently have members who are retired from professional engineering but could prove to be a valuable resource.

 

No your career is definately not dead. You are obviously very skilled, you just need to get your foot in the door of a career that you're going to be happy with. After I finished my BEng Hons I started working on minimum wage for 6months in a PCB factory (knowing my passion was electronics). Although the money was poor I found it interesting to understand the process of manufacturing PCB's and I got experience that way. I also spent a few weeks drilling and tapping holes in Airbus (terrible place to work), before finally getting a engineering role managing a few test technicians. I have recently started a new role which is mainly focused on testing electronics and I am finally happy, but the whole process took 6 years end to end, and many many MANY hours of search and applying for positions.

What worked for me is tailoring your CV to suit the position/company you are interested in. Only highlight the skills and qualifications that are relevent (in some cases you could be over qualified!). Linkedin is also a fantastic place for recruiters to find you, so get active on there. I have heard that salary wise there isn't alot of difference between BEng and masters (hence why I didn't go on to finish one). I have friends that earn more money than me but have lesser qualifications, so qualifications aren't necessarily everything.

 

One of the main reasons I asked this question was because I also need some opinions which sub-branch of EE jobs makes my chance higher regarding my history.

My BSc. degree is 11 years old and my MSc. degree is 7 years old now. And plus I only have five years of experience in this company. Which type of EE jobs makes more sense to apply where my experience counts? For example recently I started to study power-electronics from scratch again which we have seen at BSc. and I'm following a course online. But I'm not sure if it is waste of time. On the other hand I have written that I deal with some transducer calibrations, data-acquisitions, data-analysis, analog inAmps for force transducers ect. which are more related maybe a bit to signals and systems and data-acquisition, filtering or analog electronics. But not in design level. Even mechanical engineers can do most part of these. For example recently I deal with shifting from single-ended to differential-ended data-acquisition system and trying to find out common mode noises and differential mode noises in the system. I have designed some simple analog circuits but again it is not daily basis.I gained a good knowledge in data-acquisition in this company.

So basically I have "theoretical knowledge" from my studies and from my own self-studies ongoing, plus I have the practical job experience I mentioned. So regarding all these I want to find one or two subfields and focus on those which would make me part of EE. But which one? Instrumentation? Power electronics? RF? I have no knowledge about VHDL for instance.

I mean if I keep this job and keep making applications and study myself a subject of EE, which field of it would make sense for a possible employment, regarding my knowledge and experience so far?

ps: The problem with high-current jobs like distribution, generation, grid integration ect. one cannot get experience at home. But like power electronics and RF I was thinking I would even design something at home and feel more confident when I apply for a job. But still what subfield I really cannot relate my history to my choice of focus. Im afraid to waste my time again.

Im totally confused. I would appreciate to have your input about these.

 

Join professional societies that are related to your interests and attend meetings. Be active in your chapters to the extent possible -volunteer for those jobs nobody else seems to want. Read the journals and meet the authors interest you at chapter larger meetings. Activities like these will likely lead to meeting people from whom you can learn -that way you won't feel so isolated, and they might lead to finding new job opportunities.

 

I first studied Bachelors in Electrical Engineering. It was mostly focused with power electronics, electrical machines, transformers, control ect. Digital, analog and telecom was not main focus. We also learned some C and SPICE programs like PSpice to simulate circuits. Then I took a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering on radio-wave propagation, antennas, transmission lines and signal processing. My thesis was theoretical, so no internship.


After graduation, many years I looked for job or PhD in the field related to my master’s degree. But I didn't even get a single interview, mostly because of lack of experience I guess. Years past I became around 30 and was living in depression. I tried even for short term for pocket money dishwashing and newspaper delivery and couldn’t manage both mentally and physically.


At the end I got a part time job in a civil engineering company as a tech which deals with wind fluid dynamics measurements, mechanical vibrations of structures ect. They have workshop where many tools and lab equipment for electronics as well. They also have a AC motor for creating wind. But I wasn’t doing engineering job mostly technical.


After a year they asked me if I would like to be hired as an electrical engineer as full time permanent contract in their company since the rest were civil and mechanical engineers. I also had to do tasks like paper works checking some values for calibrations ect which I never liked that part. One does not need any degree for those tasks. Anyway I accepted this offer 5 years ago because I suffered too much from unemployment and didn’t want to be back in those suicidal days. Now Im 35 and have a more comfortable situation, at least I don't do anymore those paper work. I have a desk all sort of electronic lab equipment on my table.


I mostly deal with when there are noise/inference issues in a measurement system and try to solve them. And maybe designing simple analog circuit two times a year. Very rare using microcontroller. They deal with interesting things but I was just calibrating instruments there or sometimes making analog circuits like sine to square wave converters or analog time delay relays. I also check a lot of instrumentation amplifiers and read a lot about them. I give technical support when they make measurement projects sometimes make boxes for their measurements systems.


But all these do not satisfy me. There is no other EE in the company only me. I feel like I’m all alone with simple tasks and not enough challenge for my career. Yes they can’t do what I do there but as an EE they are trivial tasks. This makes me stuck with this company and makes me to get other job harder, since companies require many years of specific experience.


For the last couple of years, I have been reading a lot about analog electronics transistors, opAmps, inAmps to keep my knowledge alive. I learned LTSpice and MATLAB very well throughout the years and designed couple of PCBs in Altium. I follow online courses in analog signal processing and analog electronics theory. I also recently started online course in power electronics. So because of disinterest and lack of challenge at work I spend so much effort to study electronics myself more than in school times. Every day after work I go to library and study. But when I apply for a job I still get no interview.


Electrical engineering is like an ocean. I’m hired as an EE but I’m really scared about my career. I had/have many interests radio engineering or signal processing like in my masters, instrumentation and power electronics. Basically any filed of EE is fine. I even thought to stop work and start another Master’s but it is too risky after many years I might not get even this kind of job. I’m really eager to learn and develop myself but at the end of the day without relevant experience the education doesn’t count.


Sometimes I start a book to make a transceiver but then I start to think it is waste of time. It will remain as hobby no one will hire. Then I start reading about general electronics theory. But I feel like to choose one and focus on it.


I’m kind of lost about what to choose and focus. I don't even know whether the game over for me. I have no one to share my concerns in my life or get advice. Regarding my background and experience what would be your advice? I would really appreciate your suggestions or tips and I’m ready to answer if you have questions about my question.

Have you considered starting your own business? Unless you're working for yourself, you're just making someone else rich. Read this EXCELLENT essay by my hero, Paul Graham: http://www.paulgraham.com/wealth.html

 

Have you considered starting your own business? Unless you're working for yourself, you're just making someone else rich. Read this EXCELLENT essay by my hero, Paul Graham: http://www.paulgraham.com/wealth.html

I dont have enough skills, experience, capital, ambition, innovative ideas and interest for business. If I were a software developer maybe but in this field what can I do myself? Power requires millions of dollar. Analog electronics, no one will buy my product which will look like a hobby project. Im not expert in any areas just have the education. Im not the right type for bussiness..

 

cmd64;
Get a job as a bartender; good pay, lots of chicks, high demand, and good hours. I was an engineering manager for years, and I see no reason to hire you. You seem like a jack of all trades and master of none. If you want a meaningful job in electronics pick a field, master the theory, and get a job in the field. Simple if your life is on the straight.

 

cmd64;
Get a job as a bartender; good pay, lots of chicks, high demand, and good hours. I was an engineering manager for years, and I see no reason to hire you. You seem like a jack of all trades and master of none. If you want a meaningful job in electronics pick a field, master the theory, and get a job in the field. Simple if your life is on the straight.

Thank you for your honest comment. Do you think if I master it myself, let's say "power electronics" and start even designing at home; would one still hire me without a relevant job experience? The reason I'm master of none is because I couldn't get a job opportunity where I can be specialised after graduation. Yes it was painful.

 

You have to have confidence, faith in yourself, and guts. I walked into a company office, introduced myself, told them what I am good at doing. They hired me instantly on contract, became their chief product designer, and worked for them for ten years as a private consultant designing all their products, involving both hardware and software design. This is a industrial electronics company and have been bought out by a large international company.

 

You have to have confidence, faith in yourself, and guts. I walked into a company office, introduced myself, told them what I am good at doing. They hired me instantly on contract, became their chief product designer, and worked for them for ten years as a private consultant designing all their products, involving both hardware and software design. This is a industrial electronics company and have been bought out by a large international company.

The thing is this is like chicken and egg question. Which one comes first thing. The companies scan the CVs and choose the best candidate who has relevant experience in a company many years. I have theoretical knowledge and I have written my job experience and education in the question. My job experience is not relevant to my masters degree. And my bachelors and masters are also different topics even though they are both EE.

So given my education and experience and disinterest in my current job Im kind of lost what to do. I dont know even I dedicate myself to a particular topic(self studying and self learning) if I get a job without the relevant job experience. Secondly which topic makes the chances for me higher regarding my education.

What I want to say is that in masters I studied radio wave propagation and signal processing. In bachelors I studied electrical machines and power electronics and some analog digital electronics and some control theory,. And in my job I deal with instrument calibration, load cells, inAmps ect. I just deal with them, nothing advanced. Check noise sometimes make simple circuits like 60s electronics ect. If I look at job ads they require too many experience.

Which direction should I focus and seek a career Im not sure. Time is passing and I even dont know if it is too late. I could also take another master degree but too risky for economical reasons.

Do you think if I study a particular topic myself and even make some designs, would companies still call me for interview? How would I present myself if I apply for a job without a job experience but with a good understanding of theory myself. Telling them I have experience at home doesn't sound good here. The bottom line is getting the first job is almost impossible in normal ways in my situation. They don't care about education of self study they all care about relevant work experience.

I once tried to shift to programming and learned some .Net but I noticed it was too late for me, and costed me time. I dedicated 10 years of my life to EE. And what I get is suggestions to be a bartender which means go and suicide..

 

It sounds like, according to you, no one ever gets a job fresh out of college with no experience. So what do all of the people just getting their first degrees do?

You've gotten lots of suggestions other than to explore the exciting world of bartending, but if that's the one you want to focus on because it fits in with your poor self-image of yourself, there's not much we can do to help.

 

It sounds like, according to you, no one ever gets a job fresh out of college with no experience. So what do all of the people just getting their first degrees do?

You've gotten lots of suggestions other than to explore the exciting world of bartending, but if that's the one you want to focus on because it fits in with your poor self-image of yourself, there's not much we can do to help.

I really dont know how they get hired the freshly graduated. Probably they had lucky internships. It never happened to me.

 

Probably they had lucky internships. It never happened to me.

Dear @cmd64

Don't see the problem only, just try every possible solution. everyone has problem in life. You have to solve problem yourself only.

I am sure you will get success because i know efforts and handwork never waste. just belief on yourself that is main thing in life

 

Many timesthe right person for a job is relatively inexperienced. The possible reasons as that such prople are not too expensive to petform minor tasks or that they can easily learn the "correct" way to do things.

For such jobs hiring managers need to see that the applicant has the necessary minimum skill set and the ability to learn and grow in the job.