On Thursday, April 9, Amtek Company Consultant Alex Baddock joined a panel discussion for Howard University’s American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to discuss engineering education and offer career advice to graduating seniors.
The panel also included Ivanna Goldsberry, P.E., Environmental Engineer at Tetra Tech and Najiy Munir, Senior Consultant at Deloitte.
A lot of topics were covered throughout the evening. Here’s just a sampling.
On what certificates students should strive to acquire before entering the job market…
Ultimately, it depends what area of engineering you’re going into – is it mechanical? Environmental? Civil?
The FE certificate is looked upon favorably in most fields. When it comes to mechanical engineering, it’s really important to stay educated and certified in design. For example, job applicants who are Certified SolidWorks Associates or hold another similar design certification have a huge advantage over other candidates.
On work-life balance…
After graduating college and finding a job, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line on work vs. play. All of the panelists echoed the same sentiment: You need to find out what works best for you and then consciously set time for both work and play in your schedule.
Either find a job that sets those boundaries for you or learn how to set them yourself. This may be challenging at first but it’s important to do so early on in your career so that you don’t find yourself working 24/7.
On dealing with equality in the workplace (discrimination, racism, etc.)…
This can be especially difficult to deal with. Your organization should have HR policies in place to help you navigate situations like these.
Ultimately, do the best work you can possibly do and be proud of the work you accomplish. If you continue to work hard and stay dedicated, you should be recognized for the quality of your work and value you bring to your organization.
On advice for graduating seniors looking to enter the job market…
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. While you may feel embarrassed to ask a certain question, more often than not, everyone else in the room has the same question but may be too afraid to ask. Moreover, curiosity is oftentimes rewarded in the workplace. It shows you are interested, inquisitive and committed to learning and improving.
What advice would you give to graduating seniors?
