engineering: how much credibility does each have?

Graduate School
1

<p>in general, which one carries more weight in the grad applications?</p>

<p>REU</p>

<p>undergrad research positions</p>

<p>conference presentations</p>

<p>publications</p>

<p>networking?</p>

<p>I suppose right now, it’s too late for me to get into any conferences before end of grad applications. But it would be nice to get a good idea on how much each is worth on a grad application. ‘networking’ is oddball, but I guess some people actually contact the professors directly during their application process in order to learn more about the programs and get a better personal connection to better their chances.</p>

<p>If someone can shed light on the value of each one of these things, that would be great.</p>

2

<p>Research is a required piece of a successful application to grad school. It really doesn’t matter where you do research from (REU, corporate intern, research in your department). It would be helpful to do research for a number of years with someone in your department during the school year, and get a REU position, or corporate internship during the summer months. That will give you a better idea of the different types of research being done in engineering, and will allow you to network. If you are settled on graduate school, an REU is ideal. </p>

<p>1) From my experiences REUs are actually used as recruitment tools for graduate students. I have attended REUs where you are taught about the application process, taugh how to write a CV. Some even offer free GRE prep. courses. They are designed to get you to come to their school for grad school. Also, these experiences can be used to network with potential advisors at a school you may be interested in. You may be able to get a LOR from him/her, and that will be a big leg up if you apply to that school’s program. Or, at worst it will make your name stick out from the croud if Dr. X. sees your application, or hears your name in a meeting. </p>

<p>2) Undergrad research is valuable, because it’s reasearch experience. But, it is what you make it. You should put your best foot forward in these area. It will show up well to your research advisor, who will probably be writing LORs for your grad school applications. Also, you may be able to pull off a publication, which will really make your application stand out. Most undergrads don’t have publications when they apply to grad programs. Having one will definately make your application shine. Also, this should go on your CV.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind that you will have to write essays, and research statements for applications. Having undergrad research experience, and being able to explain your research in some depth, will convey to the adcoms. that you have a solid foundation in your chosen area of engineering. </p>

<p>3) Conference preseantations, to a lesser extent is important. I really used conferences to network, and to put something exciting on my CV to make it stand out more. </p>

<p>4) Publications, as I said earlier make you stand out. Most undergrads don’t have them. Having one is definately a leg up in the admission’s process, but the adcoms will see the whole package. If you have to interview for a program, you will have to articulate your role, and understanding of the publication. This only hurts if you were just a name on the end of the author list, and all you did was wash glassware for the project, and you boss decided to put you on the pub. You probably won’t be able to explain the research well if that is the case. </p>

<p>5) Networking is always important. You should always be networking. I personally, always keep several copies of my resume/CV on hand at all times. Who you know can get you places. Also, if you are not already, you need to be involved in honor societies, engineering societies (AIChE, SWE, IEEE, etc). These will allow additional networking opportunites.</p>

<p>But you should be doing that already. Every professor in your department (ME, ChemE., EE, etc.), your department head, and the dean of the engineering school should know your name by the time you graduate. They know people, they can move some things around to open doors for you, I have seen some even make phone calls on someone’s behalf. Also, these people can be used as LOR writers. The more LOR writers you have, the better.</p>

3

<p>cool. thanks</p>

<p>the thing is I don’t see a lot of networking possibilities with our AICHE. I’m on their email list, and I get info about the things we do. As far as I understand, most of our activities through AICHE are not career oriented. I mean we get maybe 2 or 3 visits from company reps, and the rest are other things like outreach to high school kids and chem e car.</p>

<p>I also don’t quite get why you would want to have a copy of your resume in you at all times. The way I see it, networking means asking questions and expressing interest. on the other hand, handing everyone your resume seems kind of desperate.</p>

4

<p>With the resume thing, as the saying goes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” When at work, I used to carry around a leather notebook holder that holds my business cards, a notebook, pens, and my of course my resume and CV (one copy). Now, I don’t attend every event with the intent of handing out my resume. But I always have one when I need one. </p>

<p>I got a couple of prime assignments in my former company (in grad school now) by on the site interviews at informal meetings. I told my mentors I was looking for a new assignment, they introduced me to the hiring manager at the meeting, and I interviewed at the meeting. I got the position both times. Always having one tucked away in your leather notebook, doesn’t hurt. </p>

<p>This is not typical, but it used to run like this at my old company. People would meet at a Christmas party (or some other informal gathering), someone introduces you to someone, and you never know what can happen. If someone introduced you to a bigshot, they were doing you a favor.</p>

5

<p>was this when you have accumulated some years of experience in the field? because it’s odd to me that you can get yourself hired on a job during a random lunch conversation or something of that nature.</p>

<p>someone told me today that companies don’t care how smart you are. they care about what you’ve done and how good you are with people. totally counter intuitive…</p>