Electrical/Mechanical Engineering at UVA & VT – How Are the Job Prospects?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll make this simple. Electrical and Mechanical engineering are very employable, being in high demand. UVA is one of the best public schools in the country with solid engineering. VT is ranked in the top 15 for undergrad engineering. If your student graduates from one of these schools and has a modicum of hustle, then employment is highly likely. UVA is the better school, but VT has better engineering. Either one should get the job done.

VT is ranked #13 for undergrad engineering.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

[Anonymous]

I work at an F500 in the Midwest. We have VT grads because VT does research directly relevant to our industry. UVA would not be a target since our strengths and location would not likely be compelling.

When we're cutting back on hiring, the on-campus recruiting efforts dial back to local (in-state) schools. This saves recruiting money and will always yield candidates. Also, unless insane money is being offered, many people like to stay in the general region where they came from or where their school is. We have wonderful quality of life but we can't fix society's issues. Many young recruits leave at the young family stage to return "home". Because they often have working spouses and need to be around family for fun and help when they have young kids.

I would say that if my company had openings, they would be posted and VT grads would be invited to fly in if selected for an in-person interview. I have no experience with UVA engineers. However, people do have to have reasons why they would like to work for our company that are believable. Someone from the HQ state or nearby states would make some sense. We also get people who have had a life dream of working for our company and they often have evidence.

My guess is, given entry-level hiring slowdowns...the top employers at VA schools are DMV/VA/nearby companies.

[Anonymous]

For most other degrees one should go with UVA. For engineering it is all in the name. VT is the clear choice.

[Anonymous]

Virginia students get internships and jobs at Virginia companies. Who would have thunk it?

[Anonymous]

UVA is the better choice. Many kids change major and some get weeded out from engineering. Plus kids can get a minor or two in other subject areas that will complement the engineering degree (Econ/finance)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where did you get this idea that only government entities recruit at these schools. Top companies recruit at both.

OP explained and did not say only government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll make this simple. Electrical and Mechanical engineering are very employable, being in high demand. UVA is one of the best public schools in the country with solid engineering. VT is ranked in the top 15 for undergrad engineering. If your student graduates from one of these schools and has a modicum of hustle, then employment is highly likely. UVA is the better school, but VT has better engineering. Either one should get the job done.

VT is ranked #13 for undergrad engineering.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

Yep. JUST like PP stated. T15 in engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, why do you think your kid needs to work in a Fortune 500 firm in the first place? Is that your wish or your kid's. Are you really, seriously concerned about your kid getting a good and high paying job with an engineering degree from either Tech or UVA??

You need to land the helicopter. If your kid gets into and graduates from either in engineering they're set.

Calm down. OP did not state kid needed to work at F500. Simply inquired about prospective employers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA is the better choice. Many kids change major and some get weeded out from engineering. Plus kids can get a minor or two in other subject areas that will complement the engineering degree (Econ/finance)

If the choice is between UVA and VT for engineering, then fit should definitely be the deciding factor. Even though VT is a better engineering school, the difference probably isn't significant enough to make a difference in the long run. UVA is the better option if the student isn't completely locked in on engineering and might switch majors. VT's strengths and reputation are built on engineering, whereas UVA is a much better all around school. My kid's high school is a top feeder to both schools, and I don't know anyone who chooses VT over UVA, but according to DCUM it does happen.

You could also look at Georgia Tech and Purdue as stronger engineering options than either VT or UVA. Purdue's OOS tuition will likely be cheaper than UVA's in-state tuition, and GT will be competitive. Of course, out of state brings its own challenges, and these schools lean into STEM even more than VT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA is the better choice. Many kids change major and some get weeded out from engineering. Plus kids can get a minor or two in other subject areas that will complement the engineering degree (Econ/finance)

If the choice is between UVA and VT for engineering, then fit should definitely be the deciding factor. Even though VT is a better engineering school, the difference probably isn't significant enough to make a difference in the long run. UVA is the better option if the student isn't completely locked in on engineering and might switch majors. VT's strengths and reputation are built on engineering, whereas UVA is a much better all around school. My kid's high school is a top feeder to both schools, and I don't know anyone who chooses VT over UVA, but according to DCUM it does happen.

You could also look at Georgia Tech and Purdue as stronger engineering options than either VT or UVA. Purdue's OOS tuition will likely be cheaper than UVA's in-state tuition, and GT will be competitive. Of course, out of state brings its own challenges, and these schools lean into STEM even more than VT.

Don’t be obtuse, of course some kids prefer VT over UVA. It’s really not that big of a deal.

[Anonymous]

When engineers are also able to do consulting and banking interviews, it can be hard to convince them to start for less money in other industries (real engineering jobs).

Consulting and banking often pay more but they consume more work time per week and the high-paying jobs are often in high COL areas. Very few people seem to take that into account. $70K in a place where a nice house costs $300K is a different ballgame than $100K where the same house costs $1-$2M. And you have to decide early in your career what path to take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA is the better choice. Many kids change major and some get weeded out from engineering. Plus kids can get a minor or two in other subject areas that will complement the engineering degree (Econ/finance)

If the choice is between UVA and VT for engineering, then fit should definitely be the deciding factor. Even though VT is a better engineering school, the difference probably isn't significant enough to make a difference in the long run. UVA is the better option if the student isn't completely locked in on engineering and might switch majors. VT's strengths and reputation are built on engineering, whereas UVA is a much better all around school. My kid's high school is a top feeder to both schools, and I don't know anyone who chooses VT over UVA, but according to DCUM it does happen.

You could also look at Georgia Tech and Purdue as stronger engineering options than either VT or UVA. Purdue's OOS tuition will likely be cheaper than UVA's in-state tuition, and GT will be competitive. Of course, out of state brings its own challenges, and these schools lean into STEM even more than VT.

Don’t be obtuse, of course some kids prefer VT over UVA. It’s really not that big of a deal.

I agree that many kids might prefer VT over UVA for engineering. But it's highly doubtful that there is a meaningful number of kids who choose VT over UVA for business or liberal arts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA is the better choice. Many kids change major and some get weeded out from engineering. Plus kids can get a minor or two in other subject areas that will complement the engineering degree (Econ/finance)

I am an engineer but that's just not true. I am not VT/UVa alum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA is the better choice. Many kids change major and some get weeded out from engineering. Plus kids can get a minor or two in other subject areas that will complement the engineering degree (Econ/finance)

I am an engineer but that's just not true. I am not VT/UVa alum.

PhD in engineering at T5.

[Anonymous]

Been at VT Engineering and GMU; have friends from UVA.

If you are looking at: Job Prospects neither VT or UVA will give you a leg up. Interviewed kids from both and VT/UVA gets them in the door but other things take over after that. Never said no because the person went to XYZ. Only time I looked up the ranking was if it's from a school I haven't heard about. Those LACs - I needed to look those up. In this area who looks: UVA or VT? Who says no to UVA because VT is #13?

If you want a job before you graduate (and ignore rankings and long-term opportunities) then GMU is your best bet. 4 years of Co-Op/Internship at the firms surrounding Fairfax beats 4 years at a cafeteria/bookstore.

Trust me 2 years of CoOp (as a part-time Sys/DBA Admin) landed me a whole bunch of offers after graduation. Even had one that would've made me move to NY to work at a Wall Street Data Center. Govt contracting (it is the DMV) being the other offers. My friends at the other schools finally got offers but they went through the wait game.