The hunt is on…

I have been working as a co-op at NxStage for three months now, and it appears there will not be any full time positions opening this summer that I would fit. This means that it is time to start my job search.

I went on a job search about 6 months ago, and I didn’t have too much luck. I applied for jobs online, built profiles for Monster and CareerBuilder, went to career fairs, went to career services, talked to my professors, and talked to my friends. However, I fell short of obtaining a full time job. I did manage to receive my co-op position here at NxStage as my backup plan. This time, I don’t want to fall back on an internship or a co-op, its all or nothing, full-time salary position or bust.

Since my main interest lies in medical devices, I am going to start by searching the career pages of every medical device company I know the name of. I will apply for jobs that seem to be a good fit for me, as well as some that may be a stretch. If I don’t find any jobs that match, I will send my resume anyways. As time goes by, if I am not getting interviews or offers, I will broaden my search into other markets.
Job searching can be very tough, frustrating and tiring. Some say that searching for a full time job is a full time job itself. Here are some tips I have for job searching:
Make a list of companies: Using an excel spreadsheet, make a list of companies you have applied for and want to apply for. Make note of the date you applied, any responses you received, whether you sent a cover letter and resume, and whether you followed up. Staying on top of things will make the searches much easier; it can also give you insight to when you should follow up and check the site for new listings.
Never send the same resume twice: This one was news for me, I have heard that you should customize the cover letter to address the company and the position you are applying for. However, I never knew that you should try to reflect the job description with your resume. Apparently, a generic resume looks lazy and mass produced. It will appear that you do not have much interest in the position, regardless of how long you spend writing the cover letter.
Network, Network, Network: There is no such thing as too many sources for job listings. Don’t just check the company websites, check Monster, check CareerBuilder, and check Craigslist! Talk to your friends, colleagues, professors, parents, and whoever. You never know who has connections to a company you might be interested in.
Don’t consider your peers competition: Although my former classmates may be applying to the same position as me, I have found that you are more likely to get exposure to more jobs if you share information. Also, if you get information about a job that might not be a fit for you, refer your friends to it, it will make you a valuable resource and a team player.

Please feel free to comment if you have any suggestions!

Reaching for the next rung in the corporate ladder…

So I have been working this co-op for about 2 months now. I am pretty sure that I will be replaced after 9 – 10 months, and I want to work at this company for at least 6 months. Ideally, I want my next position to be a full time engineering position, whether that is here or elsewhere. For these reasons, I decided it would be a good idea to start job hunting.

I am currently putting most of my effort into finding openings at NxStage, and proving myself to be a valuable candidate. NxStage is a small company, but it is growing. Optimistically, I would be able to find a full time opening here. But there is no way that I am putting all my eggs in one basket.

I recently updated my resume, I posted a limited version of it below this post. Feel free to check it out and give me any advice. I took out some of my personal information, but if any employers want a full updated version, email me and let me know.

My plan is to send this resume out to as many medical devices companies that I know the name of, and ask for an entry level position. Hopefully in the next month or two I can get some interviews scheduled, and we’ll see where things go from there. I’ll make sure to keep you posted! Thanks for reading.

Resume

GUTHRIE GORDON

Email: Guthrie_Gordon@student.uml.edu

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a full time position in engineering, utilizing my skills in plastics processing, research and development, and manufacturing

EDUCATION

B.S. in Plastics Engineering: University of Massachusetts Lowell: Francis B. College of Engineering Class of 2009 - Graduating GPA: 3.0

WORK EXPERIENCE

NxStage Medical, Lawrence MA, Research and Development Co-op, January 2010 - Present

· Write and perform validation and testing protocols

· Design and implement testing fixtures using Solidworks

· Analyze data using Minitab quality software

· Update/obsolete quality controlled documents using Agile

· Write technical validation reports

Teleflex Medical, Jaffrey NH, Manufacturing Engineering Intern, July 2009 - December 2009

· Validate products for use in manufacturing

· Write and revise quality controlled documents

· Trained machine operators for heat shrink expansion lines

· Troubleshooting process problems for heat shrink expansion machines

Advanced Polymers Inc. (medical devices) Salem, NH Research and Development Intern, July 2008- September 2008

· Write and implement test procedures into manufacturing

· Design and build testing fixtures using Inventor

· Monitor and assist in processing of medical balloons

· Review and update quality controlled documents

Husky Injection Molding Systems Milton, VT Hot Runners Division, Product Development Co-op, January 2008- June 2008

· Perform validation and test protocols

· Design and implement testing equipment

· Write and review user manuals for new equipment

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

· Minitab Quality E-Training

· Paulson Injection Molding E-Training

· Experienced with Solidworks

· Familiar with Moldflow, Moldex3D, and Autodesk Inventor

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS

· Barry W. Perry Family Scholarship

· Keyboard group Scholarship

· Independent Alumni Scholarship

· CPR and First Aid Certification

· OSHA Certification

· Engineering Dean’s List Fall 2008

· Engineering Dean’s List Fall 2009

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/COMMUNITY SERVICE

· UML Student Bloggers, Fall 2008 – Fall 2009 http://blog.uml.edu/hawktalk/guthrie/

· Personal Blog, Present http://guthriegordon.blogspot.com/

· Tour guide of Bourgeois Hall for prospective residents Fall 2007

· Tour guide of Plastics Engineering department for prospective students Fall 2007

Co-op to Corner Office Campaign

So I have finished college, taken my last final examinations, and pulled my GPA up past a 3.0. I was looking for my entry into the real world. The job market was very tough and very competitive. I scrambled many months trying to find a full time engineering position, with a good starting salary and benefits, but came up short.

Luckily, I considered this happening before I graduated and also applied for many intern and co-op positions. My backup plan paid off, because I was offered a full time co-op position at a medical devices company called NxStage Medical. They offered me a R&D position in disposables engineering with a pretty decent hourly rate.

So I didn’t land the permanent position…So what? I got my foot in the door, and that’s huge. I am going to do everything that I can to use this co-op as a stepping stone towards my professional career. I consider this the official launch for my Co-op to Corner Office Campaign!

Many people treat co-op/intern positions as part time jobs, credit requirements for school, and or resume builders. This is not a good state of mind; you will end up dragging your feet, disliking your work, and certainly not getting the most out of your time. I see a co-op/intern position as an extended interview. If you can prove to your supervisor that you are a valuable candidate, you might be offered a full time position. Here are some tips that I have for co-op/interns and other young professionals:

Dress professionally: In the engineering world, many jobs call for business casual. However, I have always tried to stay on the business end of business casual. You always want to be presentable, because you never know when you will meet someone very important in the company. First impressions last a lifetime.

Make work your #1 priority: If you are offered 40 hours, work 40 hours. You may get warned not to work overtime, but no one will question your work ethic if you go over. Maybe you want to continue to take classes towards your degree, or in my case, start taking classes towards a master’s degree. Try taking night classes or online classes, so that school work will not interfere with your job. Make sure to inform your supervisor about these classes, even if they are completely out of the way.

Try not to be dependent on your supervisor for work: This is especially difficult in the beginning. When you have finished one assignment, and need to check with your supervisor for another. Try and find a few suggestions of work you could be doing. This will make you look more independent and hard working.

Be personable: If you are friendly and interact more with your co-workers, you are much more likely to be noticed around to office. This is especially important if a job opens up in another department.

Make your motives clear: Good luck getting offered a position that you haven’t asked for. You should let your supervisor know that you are interested in a full time position. They will probably give you some good advice on how to move forward, and more importantly, tell you who to talk to.

I hope that these tips can help you on your way to the top of the corporate ladder. Remember to keep your eyes on the next step for your career.

Thanks for reading, I’ll be sure to put up more posts soon!

About me:

Hello everyone. My name is Guthrie Gordon; I’m a 23 year old male from Massachusetts . I just graduated from college in December 2009. I studied plastics engineering at the University of Massachusetts – Lowell . While in college, I started blogging for the school website, and I soon became hooked. Feel free to check out my old blog page at: http://blog.uml.edu/hawktalk/guthrie/

I am currently working a co-op/intern position at a medical devices company called NxStage Medical. I hope to be a full time engineer in July, either at NxStage or somewhere in the medical devices industry. I am very career driven, and I hope to quickly climb through the ranks of the corporate ladder.

I like to blog about my experiences in school, work and job hunting. I feel like I have a lot to offer by telling my stories and giving my opinions. I decided to start writing blogs on Blogger because they appear to get a lot of exposure. I look forward to sharing my stories and hearing your feedback.

Thanks for reading, and check back soon for more