Engineering Career Services

Alumni

Job Search Strategies for Young Alums

1.     Search for Engineering Jobs – send us an email (ecsiastate.edu) requesting alumni service so that you can view active job postings in our job database, ISU CMS.

2.     Federal Government Jobs – usajobs.gov

3.     State of Iowa Jobs – iowaworkforce.org, smartcareermove.com

4.     ISU Alumni Association - isualum.org/en/careers_education/career_services.cfm

5.     Non-profit and volunteerism – idealist.org

6.     Commercial and advice sites – experience.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com, jobweb.com

7.     Geographical ideas

a.     Newspapers - newslink.org

b.    Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce

c.     Do ISU CMS sort on locations and ‘cold call’ companies (Prospecting Letter)

d.    Look up “Engineering” in online yellow pages (switchboard.com, anywho.com)

8.     Become member of your major’s professional org and NETWORK

9.     Update social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn) and use for fellow alum networking and groups associated with your profession.

10.  In your area, attend other schools’ career fairs and career services offices for services

How to Advance in Your Career

1. Focus on continual learning. You can best position yourself professionally by always seeking learning activities - become active in your professional organization, get further education, and seek advice from more experienced engineers.  Constantly take what you learn and apply it in new and practical situations.  Through trial and error and taking risks in learning you will continue to grow professionally and be a resource for yourself and your company. 

2. Build and sustain professional networks. With the fabric of workforce talent set to retire in the next 10-15 years one of the subtle yet crucial pieces that is lost are the professional networks that had been built up over the years.  As a young professional you must be effective in building internal and external connections for company business and for your own knowledge expansion.  Within your company you must constantly practice building strategic relationships that: develop others’ and your own ideas, subordinates personal goals, and facilitates agreement for the betterment of the project, customer needs, or product life cycle.

3. Take on projects that are challenging. Project management skills are the most highly sought after experiences by companies looking to hire or promote employees.  Professionals that can effectively prioritize goals, leverage resources, delegate responsibility, stay focused on timelines and budgets, and work continually in a framework of integrity and customer service are the premium talents that companies cherish.