r/engineering • u/AutoModerator • Apr 13 '26
Weekly Discussion Weekly Career Discussion Thread (13 Apr 2026)
# Intro
Welcome to the weekly career discussion thread, where you can talk about all career & professional topics. Topics may include:
* Professional career guidance & questions; e.g. job hunting advice, job offers comparisons, how to network
* Educational guidance & questions; e.g. what engineering discipline to major in, which university is good,
* Feedback on your résumé, CV, cover letter, etc.
* The job market, compensation, relocation, and other topics on the economics of engineering.
> [Archive of past threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/search?q=flair%3A%22weekly+discussion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
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## Guidelines
- **Before asking any questions, consult [the AskEngineers wiki.](https://new.reddit.com/r/askengineers/wiki/faq)\*\* There are detailed answers to common questions on:
* Job compensation
* Cost of Living adjustments
* Advice for how to decide on an engineering major
* How to choose which university to attend
Most subreddit rules still apply and will be enforced, especially R7 and R9 (with the obvious exceptions of R1 and R3)
Job POSTINGS must go into the latest [**Monthly Hiring Thread.**]((https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/search?q=flair%3A%22hiring+thread%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)) Any that are posted here will be removed, and you'll be kindly redirected to the hiring thread.
**Do not request interviews in this thread!** If you need to interview an engineer for your school assignment, use the list in the sidebar.
## Resources
* [The AskEngineers wiki](https://new.reddit.com/r/askengineers/wiki/faq)
* [The AskEngineers Quarterly Salary Survey](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/search/?q=flair%3A%22salary+survey%22&include_over_18=on&restrict_sr=on&t=all&sort=new)
* **For students:** [*"What's your average day like as an engineer?"*](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/wiki/faq#wiki_what.27s_your_average_day_like_as_an_engineer.3F) We recommend that you spend an hour or so reading about what engineers actually do at work. This will help you make a more informed decision on which major to choose, or at least give you enough info to ask follow-up questions here.
* For those of you interested in a career in software development / Computer Science, go to r/cscareerquestions.
2
u/Sure-Ad8068 Apr 14 '26
How do I get better at explaining complex presentation and improving my listening skills? I am just awful at this right now.
1
u/raoulduke25 Structural P.E. Apr 14 '26
Practise with something simple. As you gain confidence, increase the complexity. Eventually, you will need to make outlines beforehand that trace the linear progression of the story you're telling. Define the structure, find the path, and then follow it.
But first things first: start simple.
2
Apr 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Equivalent-Visual225 Apr 16 '26
So true, I want to get out of defense so bad, but I feel like there's nowhere to go
1
u/Unknown601 Apr 15 '26
Hello Engineers!
I'm looking for someone with experience in Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Industrial Design. This is, of course, paid work :)
Preferably located in Serbia or Romania. (Remote Work)
The work:
Taking on project tasks to take exciting sub-assembly designs through to final refinement and completion.
Such as:
Custom Cables.
Basic Wiring Hardnesses.
Plastic Injection Moldings.
Basic Electronics.
Technical Documentation.
If you have relevant experience, please send me a DM.
1
u/deevil_knievel Apr 17 '26
Any experienced engineers out there with a relatively broad engineering knowledge base that can answer a question regarding the Florida general contracting license exam?
For a couple years now I have wanted to get my GC license for tits and pickles, and nothing to do with career goals. I read a bunch of recommendations that the minimum study time before this exam is 2 to 4 months. Sounds like how long it would take a sharp apprentice with a 2-year tech degree, but this was a comment from an engineer. Is that seriously legit? I didn't even spend that much time studying for the most difficult of upper level physics undergrad courses. So I took a sample exam online, kind of skimmed it answering 50 questions in maybe 10 minutes, and scored a 65% benchmark. Passing is 70%. Most of the questions I missed were loosely about specific figures like contractual bond percentage used in calculations or code spacing required for duct straps. The type of information that wouldn't be too difficult to regurgitate after skimming a study book in one pass.
Not that it matters, but I would argue that I made a 70%, because I disagree with at least three or four of the answers on the exam. You are going to tell me that compression fittings are not a valid conduit to enclosure sealing method for C2D1 environments? Uhh, aren't liquid tight fittings the most common seal off method for EX applications below C1D1? How are these fittings not considered compression fittings lol. The exam I saw stated that only boss type fittings meet C2D1 requirements... which is flat wrong. Even NPT is acceptable with five turns minimum, so IDK which version of NEC 500 these folks have, but it is certainly different from the one I have.
TLDR: Am I crazy in thinking that I can skim a cliff notes type book for a week and pass the FL GC exam if I was able to raw dog a sample exam and almost pass it? I don't remember my score, but I passed the civil PE renewal exam for a dense, older co-worker and my undergrad probably only overlaps 50% with a civil degree.
1
Apr 17 '26
[deleted]
1
u/meermars Apr 24 '26
Sounds like you already have a plan, what's stopping you taking this job? You might even end up enjoying it.
1
u/Pretend-Designer3980 Apr 18 '26
I am currently formatting my resume. I went to a local state school near where I grew up and got a 3.9 which I'm really proud of. This actually led me to going to a top-3 school in my field but when I got there I got trucked by the academic rigor and ended my Master's with a 3.3 (which isn't awful but not great considering companies filter out at 3.5). On my resume, should I include both GPAs, just my undergrad, or neither?
1
u/meermars Apr 24 '26
I'm assuming you are a new grad. I would prepare CVs both with and without the MEng GPA (put in the BEng GPA) and check what the response rate is for both (different positions obv). Generally speaking, GPA is only important if you are going for a) ultra competitive positions b) you don't have much in terms of experience. If you have already a few year's experience, leave off the GPAs entirely.
1
u/Commercial-Army-5843 May 04 '26
Hi everyone,
My name is Osher Frank. I am a licensed architect and 3D designer with around 16 years of experience in architecture, Rhino 3D, visualization, and real-time environments. I am now looking to apply my skills to boat and yacht-related projects, especially where strong 3D modeling, design development, and visual communication are needed.
My strongest skills are:
Rhino 3D modeling
Surface modeling and cleanup https://www.artstation.com/artwork/dyZg8x
Marine interiors and spatial layouts
Exterior concept modeling
3D models from sketches, photos, or reference drawings
Visualization for client presentations
Unreal Engine / real-time walkthroughs
Architectural detailing and fabrication thinking
I am not presenting myself as a naval architect for engineering, stability, or structural certification work. My value is on the design, modeling, visualization, and CAD-development side, working alongside boat designers, builders, or naval architects who need clear 3D output.
I can help with:
concept boat/yacht models
interior layouts
presentation renders
Rhino models for review
reverse-engineering from photos or drawings
client-facing visual packages
design support for small craft, yacht interiors, or marine products
Portfolio:
https://www.artstation.com/osherfrank
Full work
2
u/Tessamagressa Apr 13 '26
I'm an environmental engineer with an energy engineering minor, I have an interview coming up, I've gotten a lot of interview advice but none that are engineering specific, I would love to hear some things about what to point out on my resume, what recruiters are looking for if anyway knows. I can also provide more information if that's helpful :)