Donovan Casterline ⋅ Harbor City, CA U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal ⋅ 6 years served

Hi all,

Thank you to everyone for responding to my question and for providing invaluable experience and insight. I apologize for the late reply. I had a tough time last semester, and I took a step away from job searching over the winter break so that I could focus on success for my final semester.

I am going to finish out my Spring semester (and with it, my Bachelor's degree) before trying to find gainful employment. In the meantime, I intend to go to networking and hiring events to begin to meet people and explore my options.

Again, thank you all for your responses.

Respectfully,
Donovan

Jeremiah McKenna ⋅ Metairie, LA U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 5 years served

I'm not sure what you consider 'entry level' but that is a good way to start, and probably the way you will get into these companies, since that is the way a majority of us started.
Believe me, a lot of companies don't consider Military experience their industry experience, unless of course you have been performing that MOS for the last 4+ years. Being that you are a student, or are just entering this arena, you should be prepared to start at an entry level position just to get your foot in the door.
Even with all of the Military leadership and organizational, operational skills I had while enlisted, I was still looked at as newly entering the work force, and I had jobs before I enlisted. I thought that these companies were looking for the skills I brought to the table, even though a lot of them said they loved hiring Veterans.

Jeremiah McKenna ⋅ Metairie, LA U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 5 years served

I know that Tesla is in the geo area that you are in, and they are in need of talent. I also know that Apple is expanding manufacturing in the U.S. in the near future and Amazon is also building in the near future. Amazon has a huge facility in the greater Seattle, WA area, and they like hiring Veterans, especially those with college degrees.
Speaking of manufacturing, the Aerospace industry is huge in Seattle, and Boeing hires a lot of Veterans. Another company in that area that I know may be interesting to you is Hexcel. But as I stated, there are a ton of aerospace manufacturing companies in that area that you may be interested in.

Paul Dietrich ⋅ Staten Island, NY Phillips Petroleum ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi Donovan, in my previous job as program manager I was always on the look out for potential future employees and always sponsored two or three engineering students for internships. This route gives the student the opportunity to see what the job is all about and gives the employers the opportunity to see the potential employee in the work environment. On average we would hire 3-5 from a field of 15 or more engineers. I worked for Phillips so there should be links at phillips.com for internships in the engineering field but we looked mostly for Chem Engineers due to our business so you may wish to look at manufacturers for an opening closer to your expertise. Even though you are in senior year, I would still look for openings in the spring time frame and if you perform well you will likely get a job offer. Good Luck and thank you for serving.

David Eastman ⋅ Gresham, OR Gamma Therapeutics, Inc. ⋅ 35 years experience

Hello, Donovan

Thank you for your service. You are entering a highly desirable field and so job opportunities should be everywhere. In your field it is not unusual for you to acquire a paid student internship for a three month period that then turns into a new, high paying job. My son did this at a Japanese semiconductor company 2 years ago and now heads up his particular department.

I would network with the local manufacturing companies and talk with their HR people to learn if they hire paid interns. Yes, you probably could find an unpaid student internship but there is no reason to do so. The sooner you start working in your chosen profession, the better. And more often than not, paid internships turn into full time work.

You can also find out from people working in the field about the professional organizations they belong to and then you can go to their events and network with them. It is a great way to learn about the companies that are hiring in your profession.

Also, think about Oregon, A lot of hiring going on in your focus area.

Good luck and much success.

David Eastman, CEO, US Navy Veteran, ASW Avionics.

Donovan Casterline ⋅ Harbor City, CA U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal ⋅ 6 years served

Hi Bobby

Yes, that would be terrific actually. It's been difficult searching locally and hoping for the best.

Thank you!

Bobby Shell ⋅ High Ridge, MO Hex Tech ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Donovan
I could send you a list of companies that could be willing to hire people fitting your qualifications if you would like.

Warm Regards,
Bobby