<p>Hi all, </p>
<p>I’m currently a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Alaska Anchorage going into my final year. I’m currently interning for the Department of Transportation. I don’t have a good GPA (2.5) but with the help of my professors and networking I was able to get the interview. </p>
<p>This internship has been great experience for me since I’ve been dying to see how the Civil engineering workforce is like and how I can apply myself to it.</p>
<p>I want to admit I do not like the field only because my interest in machinery, H VAC, renewable energy is much higher. </p>
<p>With that being said, I don’t quite know how to go about applying this internship experience or should I say market myself better to potential employers so that I can get a chance with some ME jobs out here. </p>
<p>I have four questions that can really put my head in the right direction if anybody would like to answer them, I want to thank everybody for taking their time in helping me. This means a lot to me and my future career.</p>
<p>1.) How can I go about asking my project and professional engineers for a recommendation? Is it a big deal for them to allow interns to use them as references? I just want to ask them in a manner able way at best.</p>
<p>2.) How much help is it having a few references from P.E’s (project and professional) in the civil field when you are trying to get into the ME field after you graduate? (especially since I am an ME major)</p>
<p>3.) After successfully completing this summer internship do I have a better shot at getting hired before graduation? I heard having internship experience under your resume helps but is there MORE that I need to do so I can make this happen for myself?</p>
<p>After experiencing the workforce I noticed there are skills involved that the Academic side wont teach. There are skills in both the workforce and academics , I have to agree on now.</p>
<p>4.) Is the engineering workforce supposed to be unsatisfying compared to the challenging Undergrad coursework? After getting beat up by my engineering classes I was expecting a bit more. I could be wrong so if anybody can clear that misconception I’d really appreciate that.</p>
<p>Correct me if I am wrong, maybe its just the top companies that have interesting engineering positions. Regardless the money is there wherever you go but NOW i really see why you shouldn’t do it for just the money. </p>
<p>I can already see some project being handed to me as an EIT or Project E. and hate the work dealing with it even though the pay is great.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all you guys’ time! This really helps</p>