OT: MGoUnemployed Club

Submitted by A Case of Blue on

Who else is a member? (Or a member of our sister club, the MGoUnderemployed Club).

On the plus side, if anyone has the skills to pay the bills, I just saw that FIU is hiring both an offensive and a defensive coordinator. The application's on their site. Too bad I don't have at least one year of coaching experience at the high school level or above.

MadtownMaize

January 5th, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^

my job of nine years yesterday, to take a lower paying job with no benefits. The move was made possible by the fact that my wife has a job with great benefits for our family (2 kids). My new job offers more challenge, more responsibility and a better chance for long term reward and satisfaction, but with more risk and less dough in the short run.
All of this probably sounds ok, until today. Today my wife lost her job. Oh well, it looks like my daycare bill is going to be a lot less this month.

Bleedin9Blue

January 5th, 2010 at 10:54 PM ^

I graduated last April from our beloved university with two engineering degrees but still can't find a job. I'm working IT where I worked as a student but I hate it so much (I used to come home with moderately bad headaches every day).

I'm actually nominally looking for a job right now while watching the Iowa game. But MGoBlog is a bad tab to have open while looking for jobs.

Anyone in need of a chemical engineer?

Kilgore Trout

January 5th, 2010 at 11:22 PM ^

Sorry for the length of this, but I still get the emails from the BME department and they sent this out today. Requires 3 years of experience, but somewhere to try to network if nothing else.

Process Development Engineer

Draths Corporation, located in Lansing MI, is building a next generation chemical

company focused on manufacturing biobased materials for use in everyday

products via environmentally friendly and economical processes. The technology

platform covers the entire benzene value chain, enabling it to manufacture products

that are identical to intermediates used to make nylons, plastics, and a host of other

materials. Draths is unique in this capability and is different from companies that

are manufacturing biofuels or targeting other parts of the carbon‐based chemical

value chain (e.g., C‐2, C‐3 materials). Draths is looking for individuals who are

committed to changing the way chemicals are made and who are willing to put forth

the effort necessary to enable a growing biotech startup to achieve its technical

milestones.

The Process Development Engineer will work closely with biologists and chemists

to optimize current process technologies, suggest and implement process

improvements, and assist in the scale‐up to successful commercial manufacturing.

The Process Development Engineer will also assist and collaborate with external

service providers retained by the company to work on the design, construction, and

initial operation of all pilot and commercial manufacturing facilities. Key functions

in this primarily technical role include implementation and optimization of chemical

and biochemical unit operations such as reaction, solid/liquid separation,

liquid/liquid extraction, distillation, and others as required. The successful

candidate for this role will be fully engaged in the commercialization of the

technology. The position will report to the Director of Engineering and Process

Development, and has outstanding potential for career progression.

Job Responsibilities:

‐Plans and conducts process development programs and process improvement

research to advance the business objectives

‐Works effectively with internal and external partners to deliver the process

development and capital project portfolio

‐Implements and optimizes process technology at the pilot scale and develop design

criteria for full commercial scale operations

‐Be a constructive member of the technology team; participating in the conception

and implementation of new process and product technology for corporate growth

and success

‐Exhibits safety leadership and promotes safe operations

Job Requirements:

‐Experience and proven track record in some or all of the following: process

development, process safety, process engineering, and project management

‐Potential leadership capability and current skill at managing interpersonal

relationships

‐Experience with scale‐up of new process technology to commercial operation

‐Passion to be a ‘ands on’contributor to the process development and engineering

agenda

‐Strong communication skills, collaborative by nature, and committed to the success

of self and coworkers

‐Capable of delivering a portfolio of multiple projects simultaneously

Education and Direct Experience:

‐BS degree in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering required. MS or PhD in

Chemical or Biochemical Engineering would be a strong plus

‐At least 3 years experience in the chemical, biochemical, or pharmaceutical

industry with some direct experience in process development, pilot plant

operations, or project management

Draths offers competitive compensation commensurate with education and

experience and a benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance,

flexible spending plans, life insurance, and 401k.

Submit your cover letter, resume/CV to [email protected]

Please use the job title in the subject line of your email submission.

EOE

BlockM

January 6th, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^

Working IT is something that's easy to get stuck in, too. Anyone intelligent enough to get a degree in Engineering is more than smart enough to do well in IT, and the problem solving skills are usually greatly appreciated. Nothing wrong with IT (I've worked IT throughout my undergrad so far), but when you're taking engineering classes and seeing all of the cool things you could be working on, it's tough to be content.

Big_G

January 6th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^

Definately IT is easy to get stuck in and be overqualified for. Despite holding degrees in both Business and Computer Information System (CIS) I am currently stuck in this world of being a glorified techie. As the market is currently flooded with out-of-work Computer Engineers, etc its difficult to move to the next step. Oh well, at least I have a job though is pretty much what I can say.

/now back to my job and dealing with know-it-all Engineers ;)

thethirdcoast

January 6th, 2010 at 12:22 AM ^

...IT the entire time I was in undergrad and it sounds like not much has changed.

UMMS was the worst because the doctors ran the place and they could request, and get the most uniquely incompatible software and hardware permutations you can imagine. The network was also transitioning from coax Ethernet to twisted pair, and the server farm included the mainframe, a VAX, Win NT4, Novell, and AppleTalk boxes.

I don't remember too many headaches though. I think bike commuting helped me work off most job frustrations. If I was better at getting ass I think I could've taken care of most of the rest.

ChitownWolverine82

January 5th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^

I'm there with you. Been out for about 5 months now. The company I worked for went bankrupt last year. Been looking and its been a bitch. On the plus side, I've been able to rethink my direction in life. On the negative, bills are piling up.

HartAttack20

January 5th, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^

Not to be mistake with the MGoDepression Club. My dad was recently unemployed for a while last year, and I know how tough that is on a person. I'm currently in high school, so I don't have to worry about it. I guess it's a good time to be in school, anyways. Good luck to all without a job right now.

Blue_Bull_Run

January 5th, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^

I was in a tough spot for a while a year ago (and who knows, it could happen again) but I recommend throwing out as many resumes as you can, networking, and most importantly - have some fun with your new found free time!

BlueintheLou

January 5th, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^

Unemployed going on 5 months. Just finished my Masters in August. I've sucked my savings dry. Resorted to signing up for a cycling research study for $500 this month.

Anyone looking for a meteorologist, or know anyone looking? Yeah, didn't think so.

Kilgore Trout

January 5th, 2010 at 11:53 PM ^

I got my BSE in the spring of '01 when everyone had multiple job offers and life was good. I skipped out on it and went right into getting my MSE in Biomed. Long story short, I spent about 8 awful months unemployed after I graduated and was killing myself for not just being happy with what I had after undergrad.

Fast forward 7 years and there's no question I made the right choice. I have a great job in a great field that pays more than I would have made with 20 years of experience with my BSE in Materials Science.

So, there's my story, for what it's worth. I think more and better education will not hurt you in the long run.

ross03

January 6th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^

Have you looked at Wind Energy companies or the companies that support them? I work at one and we have meterologists on staff who run our wind prediction models. It's a pretty cool job at least from where I sit - no idea what they are paid as I'm in a completely different area. I know the market has slowed some, but previously we had trouble finding people.

Some big players on the independent wind analysis side are Garrad Hassan, Wind Dot, and Global Energy Concepts. Renewable Energy sites like Greenjobs.com and renewableenergyjobs.com occassionaly post positions as well.

Best of luck.

Blueisgood

January 5th, 2010 at 11:23 PM ^

I've been laid off since dec 18 2008. Worked for about a month during the summer. Boss keeps saying its coming its coming, but I don't know. We're suppose to have a job coming up in the Soo (electrcian). Nobody is hiring any electricians around here. The only good thing that has come from it is my daughter was born feb 4 2009 so i've had pretty much a whole year being home with her. So its kinda a blessing in disguise. Luckily my wife got a full-time teaching job this summer or i'd probably be in wyoming.

Kilgore Trout

January 5th, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^

My company actually still hires on a pretty regular basis. I won't take the time to go into too much detail, but if you have a degree with some sort of biology connection, don't mind the sight of blood, are interested in an emerging patient care field, and don't mind moving to random parts of the country and working a different schedule everyday, check out www.biotronic.com. I'm not involved in the strategic planning portion of the company, but in general we hire a group of 10-13 people every three or four months.

(and if someone actually does this and gets a job, hunt me down so I can get the referral bonus!)

NHWolverine

January 5th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^

I feel for you all, especially the recent grads. I graduated in 2007 when the employment situation was very different.

I'm trying to help you fellow M grads out ... every recruiting cycle I'm at the LS&A and Engineering career fairs representing my company trying to get some fellow Wolverines hired. I push our recruiters to give every M grad the cut and have gotten in touch with the departments considering candidates to suggest that they hire Michigan kids.

Trust me this is an uphill battle when you work for an East Coast company where they would rather hire grads from Bentley, Marist or Northeastern over U of M.

Tacopants

January 5th, 2010 at 11:40 PM ^

I work for a Fortune 100 company in the midwest that actively recruits from the local schools, Wisconsin, and Michigan State (!!??!!). I have no idea why we don't hire Michigan grads, I was the first direct Michigan hire in the last 3 years.

I can't seem to convince them to go to the M career fair.

thethirdcoast

January 6th, 2010 at 12:32 AM ^

...and I feel you on the eastern bias. The current school in recruiting vogue at my workplace is Penn State and I work with a couple of their grads.

Based on my experiences working with Nittany Lion engineers I'd like to take a moment to haul out the ol' Michigan arrogance and state that yes, there truly is, a Michigan Difference.

The other frustrating thing about my firm is that I've tried to get in front of a Director and VP at my firm that are Michigan alums and they show little interest in developing younger alumni. I've passed them resumes from MechE honor students with 3.94 GPAs and they haven't even sniffed them.

I'm really starting to question them as Michigan Men because they seem to let themselves get pushed around by a PSU alum at the Director level. In fact, the VP's name was even visibly and repeatedly tied to a Penn State recruiting trip in the company newsletter. Absolutely disgusting.

Sgt. Wolverine

January 5th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^

I've been running a photography business, but it's not enough right now. I'm working on finding a part-time job to supplement the business, but that's not an easy task in a small town right now.

I really can't complain, though, because I'm doing something I really enjoy in a town I like. I feel for all the unemployed people here -- I hope you find work soon.