suggestions for going back to school

[huckster989]

My job search has been going petty poorly since ending my ski bum life this winter and I am looking at getting an associates or doing a certificate program in hopes of expanding my resume and skills.

Background:

graduated from WWU (western Washington University) with a general studies degree comprised of communication studies and manufacturing engineering technology. Ideally I was looking to get into a manufacturing planning, material planning, scheduling or something along those lines. I had some interviews right out of school (2008) but they fell with the economy and I have stuck with being a bike mechanic at REI for the time being until this winter when I went to mammoth to relax and be a ski bum bus driver. I have now returned to southern California and I am on the job hunt again for something serious.

I have had very little luck finding positions and work and I am now thinking about going back to school. My parents are trying to encourage me to get into project management but with out industry experience it seems like a waste to me. I always enjoyed working with autoCAD at school and may possible get an associates in drafting / CAD from a local community college.

Anyone have suggestions on what I should look at for education? Ideally I want my education to lead into an industry or job but I'm just not sure which way to go.

thanks

[advres]

I have no suggestions on the schooling but are you 100% stuck on living in Cali? Have you looked at different markets for your current skill set?

[XtrPickels]

Additionally, is there anyway that you can take a position that may be below what you want to do to have experience in the field? An apprenticeship? I'm not really sure if those apply to your field, but years with no relevant experience isn't good for anyone.

[huckster989]

as far as cali goes I plan to move out of here in about a year when my girlfriend finishes her current job (unless I have a job I actually like / want), but I have family back in Seattle so I'm also looking there because a move back would be simple and I would have a place to live and also Denver because the GF wants to move there.

I'm looking into internships a lot right now just trying to find some industry / real world experience but being 2 years out of school makes it very hard.

The frustration part is I recently applied for a couple jobs that would have been perfect, I met the qualifications, had several people edit / review my resume and cover letters and I never hear a thing back! I understand that if I apply for a job a little above my head its expected to be overlooked, but if I"m qualified and ready to work at least toss me an e-mail or something

[MakeFast]

The frustration part is I recently applied for a couple jobs that would have been perfect, I met the qualifications, had several people edit / review my resume and cover letters and I never hear a thing back! I understand that if I apply for a job a little above my head its expected to be overlooked, but if I"m qualified and ready to work at least toss me an e-mail or something

Just an FYI for someone who is searching - don't ever expect to hear back. People are getting 300 applications (at least) for entry-level positions in my field (Law).

At this point, I'm usually shocked when I DO hear back.

edit: As should be obvious - I'm pretty jaded, though.

[hartzejr]

Schedulers always seem to be in demand to some extent. Getting some good experience in P6 through school would definitely help a resume.

[wicked_sick]

To me it sounds like you'd rather be on the office side of things than the shop floor side of things. Getting your hands dirty will really help you decide where you want to go in the field. I think the credentials you've got are enough to get your foot in the door. Apply for a job as a CNC operator or some slightly technical/skilled manufacturing postion. Work hard, learn the processes the plant uses and show your interest in some other areas of the field like QC, Design, programming, scheduling, etc. From my experience I have found that most shop floor workers are a pretty dull bunch with few ambitions beyond collecting their paycheck and going for beer after work. It's pretty easy to stand out, and i've seen a couple guys just this year where I work earn supervisory positions. Of those 3 one is in training to repace a production scheduler.

That's just one way to go.


Manufacturing is a pretty broad field, both in terms of engineering and in Management.

I don't know where you'd go in your area to learn more in the field. BCIT near Vancouver, BC had a BAthcelor of Technology degree in manufacturing... http://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/8600btech#

I'd be enrolled and in class right now if it was a full time program or if I had an employer in the area who would pay my tuition.

[huckster989]

wicked -

thats exactly what I talked to my GF about this evening. I'm looking at floor positions in the aerospace industry and than try to move into the office from there.

thanks for the good ideas. in the mean time I have an interview at a bike shop in the area so I might be able to get some income and get out of the house soon