Terrible job market for recent grads
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Anonymous
He could try dating HR Girls! |
Anonymous
| Has he talked with any military recruiters to see how he can apply the computer engineering degree as an officer? If he's in good health, he might qualify to join the military, which gives him a guaranteed job. |
Anonymous
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I hired during the 2008 downturn. I second, third, etc. the piece about volunteering. The issue is that depending on how long things take to turn around, there will be a whole new crop of graduates right around the corner. And, when looking at a resume of someone who graduated months or years ago and a brand new graduate, the former will be at a disadvantage unless he or she can show they did something/anything with that time.
One practical possibility - can he tutor? In addition to the non-profits, Wyzant is an online tutoring platform. Maybe consider tutoring in classes he did well in while he looks for a job. |
Anonymous
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I can try to help.
What specific upper level CS/ECE electives did he take? Does he happen to know either Verilog or VHDL? US citizen and clean record? Approximate GPA. |
Anonymous
+1 There are still silicon valley job openings - and his big plus is that as a new grad he is cheaper than someone who is 45. |
Anonymous
Here is a Navy officer job that has a shortage of qualified BS Computer Engineering candidates (don't let a recruiter tell you otherwise): "https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Detailing/Officer/Pers-47-IWC/Cyber-Warfare-Engineering/" He serves 4 years, qualifies as a veteran with veterans benefits, and would leave having highly valuable job skills. Odds are that his first assignment in that job would be to 10th Fleet at Ft Meade If you do this, make sure the recruiter specifies this precise job designation on all the paperwork, instead of leaving it blank or writing unrestricted line officer or such like. If the recruiter refuses to guarantee the job designator, then walk out the door. Also, consider applying for a reserve officer (not active duty) position with the same job. |
Anonymous
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Here is a similar UsAF option:
"https://www.airforce.com/careers/specialty-careers/cyber-direct-commissioning" For USAF, initial training might be at Ft Meade or in San Antonio. Important to get the right job designator string written on the paperwork and signed by the recruiter. Same caveats as for Navy recruiters apply to USAF recruiters. |
Anonymous
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Hi Op, has he apply to places like CA or Seattle?
Some of them have better in salary than here. What kind of internship he had? |
Anonymous
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Even though there is a civil service hiring freeze, the DoD budget overall is not being cut. The many local DoD sites are being forced to hire contractors because they cannot hire civil service right now.
DC's advantage is that he is looking for an entry-level salary not a salary for someone with 20 years experience. There is a small trick to applying. Write a cover letter (paper and USPS, not email) and include a resume. In the cover letter, write that you are willing to consider either government or contractor positions. Also say that you are flexible about what you will work on. The government can give your resume to their contractor if they are interested in your skill set. In the resume, be certain to explicitly say "US Citizen" if you are. They cannot legally ask sometimes, but they only can hire US citizens. If you do not say this, they likely will not act on your letter. Local options include at least Naval Surface Warfare Centers ar Carderock or Indian Head, DISA at Ft Meade, NSA at Ft Meade, ARL at Ft Belvoir, NGA at Ft Belvoir north site, and Naval Sea systems command in DC. |
Anonymous
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Jobs market for entry level workers is tanking
IT jobs have been decreasing for a few years now Look at Reddit to gauge what is going on https://www.reddit.com/r/Layoffs/ According to an article in Newsweek, more than 120 employers have submitted WARN (Worker Adjustment & Retaining Notification Act) notices to prepare for layoffs. If you work for any of these listed companies, brace for impact (not alphabetical order): The full list, based on WARN notices via WARNTracker.com, includes: Michael's Cookies Blue Shield of California Axient LLC BHFO Boston Scientific Corporation US Conference of Catholic Bishops RTX Movate Portland, Oregon Facility IDEA Southern Louisiana Idea Innovation Envision Physician Services Southeast Service Corporation Services for Education Durham School Services Corteva Northland College Graphic Packaging International Merlin Magic Shop JVS Masonry Grede Concordia University SSC Services FedEx Robert Kaufman Co Transdev Pretium Packaging Department of Health and Human Services Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute ST. Distributing SHG Redemption Restaurants Classic Beverage of Southern California Mandarin Oriental Freedom House Cornish College of the Arts Brinker International Roche Molecular Systems Gilead Sciences HSNi SouthState Bank VF's Dickies Headquarters Safeway Compass Group American Bar Association CSG Systems American Academy of Dramatic Arts Milgard Manufacturing Block American Medical Response Ambulance Service Key Energy Services SK hynix America Amentum Southeast Service Corporation Niantic National Distribution Centers Rem Optical Company Cruise CARGO Therapeutics Wells Fargo Atara Biotherapeutics SLS South Beach Employer Southern California Edison Company Mattel All For Kids Spoonful Management ICS Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits of Louisiana COR Restaurant Services AT&T INOAC Exterior Systems Collins Aerospace VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Jhpiego Corporation Johns Hopkins University Pitney Bowes Penney OpCo Grocery Delivery E Services Gate Gourmet Amazon Cepheid Onsemi Chewy Country Pure Foods F&E Aircraft Maintenance Output Services Group American Institutes of Research Cow Palace General Dynamics Bell-Carter Foods Ryder-Hutchins Centerra The Cheesecake Factory SP+, a Metropolis Company Primo Brands UPS Creative Associates International Royal Palm South Beach Miami Sodexo Microchip RR Donnelley PT Solutions Leidos Holdings Central Garden & Pet Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Stockton Recycling Ascent Professional Staffing CBRE Charter Communications Northlake Engineering Tri Cor Direct Incorporated GEP Administrative Services Ameri Kleen Starbucks Corteva TL Cannon Management Miami Mezze Ritz-Carlton Hotel Burke Williams F21 OpCO Catholic Charities of Orange Frito-Lay American Freight US Foods Barrette Outdoor Living Atlas Holdings Evans Bank Macy's BetMGM UNFI Essendant JP Morgan Chase |
Anonymous
| BS Computer Engineering is much more commonly an R&D job and much less commonly IT. |
Anonymous
That was the global financial crisis. This crap economy, particularly in the DMV area is a Trump induced crisis--teach your kid elections have consequences. |
Anonymous
OP. I'm in no way an expert but I have a kid that graduated CS in Dec and is looking as well. He does have an offer from a midwest company where he has interned/worked part-time during college so he's not too worried. He has had several near misses and is finally getting some traction. Last stages (team matching or variant). I'd recommend the following based on what i'm seeing with my son: - Reach out to companies your son interviewed with, came close to an offer but they didn't have anything at that time. Things have changed. - For new jobs, apply only to companies where he (or you guys) have contacts. A referred resume at least gets a look and maybe more. - Reach out to Linkedin contacts (or establish some) at target companies that have recently switched or planning to switch to RTO. A friend's son works for Intel in CA but moved to NYC because it was remote work. Intel now wants everyone back 5 days a week and he's not going back. Make an aggressive pitch about how you love personal interaction, love working in the office, etc. - If you know anyone at GMU Engineering, reach out to them and get in contact with CE professors in that department. Last year, when my kid was checking out GMU, they were talking about how many of their students are placed before they finish college and they have to work hard to convince them to complete their degrees. Them profs. have contacts in the local area for CE jobs. |
Anonymous
Is he adjusting his resume for each application? Writing thoughtful cover letters? Has he asked anyone to review his resume? If he's been looking since August 2024, that's only about 4 applications per day. That's really low for someone looking for work for so long. I understand it's soul-sucking, but he's got to adjust his expectations. |
Anonymous
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FWIW my May 2025 college grad from another public VA state school has a job. They applied last summer for an internship from LinkedIn. Got the internship and a FT offer on graduation. My point is - look in unexpected places. I also thinking temping is another good option - both you and the company get a good look at fit.
PS - I have a friend that has a small DOD contractor shop. They are always on the look out for recent CS grads that can get a security clearance. It's harder than you might think. |