Long time lurker... LAID OFF!

[moliver]

Darn it, I have joined the ranks of the unemployed!

I requested to be a part of the Linked in group....

Anyone in the Rockford, IL area looking for a mechanical engineer.....I am a hands on guy that doesn't mind getting out into the shop.

Any other good job search sites out there?

Anyone know of a good recruiter in the Rockford area?

Thanks

Mike
75 911s

[masraum]

Good luck. I've been laid off before. It's no fun. Hopefully you get another job quickly and don't have to worry about it.

[legion]

My impression is that mechanical engineering is one of the hardest hit professions right now.

Fortunately, I think you will be in a great position once the economy starts to recover--but you have to survive in the interim.

[moliver]

Kinda feels like it...everyone seems to be cutting any new developement, and cutting down the engineering departments to the bare minimum.

Will probably have to get creative! There are jobs out there but places are not filling the positions.

[Danimal16]

There is a huge demand for engineers in the federal sector. Try USA-JOBs. Don't know if this is to your liking but it is an option.

http://www.usajobs.gov/

[Porsche-O-Phile]

We should get all the out-of-work engineers, architects, construction guys, etc. and form our own Internet-based full-service design practice. Heck, when things turn around we would be very well-connected and perhaps able to kick some butt!

[kach22i]

Tough for engineers, sorry to hear about your situation.

Yesterday NPR did a bit about an architectural illustrator who was making 80k-100k on her own in Atlanta. She was/is high profile, did many large projects including things for the Olympics. Total standstill now, the phone used to ring all the time, she never had to do much marketing. Dipped 10k into savings to get by for now. Her and her hubby are paying $1,500 a month for medical insurance, and they are considering giving it up at only 60 years old.

Tough times, I only see it getting worse.

On the bright side I should be getting my office deposit back after eight years of paying rent. It's already spent though.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

We should get all the out-of-work engineers, architects, construction guys, etc. and form our own Internet-based full-service design practice. Heck, when things turn around we would be very well-connected and perhaps able to kick some butt!

I can add Architecture to my consulting business...

http://www.tetrawest.com/tetrawestpower.html

You can be Tetrawest Architecture

[ruf-porsche]

Saw these positions on craigslist. Good Luck with your job search.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/egr/990962924.html

http://rockford.craigslist.org/egr/961775307.html

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

We should get all the out-of-work engineers, architects, construction guys, etc. and form our own Internet-based full-service design practice. Heck, when things turn around we would be very well-connected and perhaps able to kick some butt!

I'm in. We can call ourselves "Pelican Internet Technology Associates" or P.I.T.A.

I'm already a member of the AIA (American Institue of *******s).

LOL

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

I'm already a member of the AIA (American Institue of *******s).

LOL

That last word should say "Architects", not sure what you were trying to say.

I could not afford the $700 a year and to keep giving up time for "Learning Units", so I gave up on them several years ago.

I still have my local chapter AIA 2000 Honor award though (small project/small budget).

[Palum6o]

You guys should engineer an after market 3.2 engine, just think of the possibilities!

Seriously though, sorry to hear about that. I've been out of work for a couple of months already, but things are picking up however - not everywhere though (ie Pfizer).

Hang in there...

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by moliver

Darn it, I have joined the ranks of the unemployed!

I requested to be a part of the Linked in group....

Anyone in the Rockford, IL area looking for a mechanical engineer.....I am a hands on guy that doesn't mind getting out into the shop.

Any other good job search sites out there?

Anyone know of a good recruiter in the Rockford area?

Thanks

Mike
75 911s

Do you have any oil refineries in that area? They are almost always looking for good MEs and tend to pay really well.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by kach22i

That last word should say "Architects", not sure what you were trying to say.

I could not afford the $700 a year and to keep giving up time for "Learning Units", so I gave up on them several years ago.

I still have my local chapter AIA 2000 Honor award though (small project/small budget).

In the past all the companies that I worked for pick up my AIA registration fee. With the continuing education requirements in my state it was easier for me to have the AIA keep track of my CEUs. When you pay the registration fee your are registered nationally, state and locally.

It's tough right now, in addition to being license in my state I am also NCARB certified, and a LEED Accredited Professional. I am registered with my city as an energy professional, and registered to self certify certain building for permits without having to go through the regular permitting process. But Architectural work in the city of "It's not gonna happen" is basically dead right now. If we get the Olympic nod I'm sure the architectural community will benefit greatly.

[looneybin]

I also let my AIA registration lapse, as i couldn't justify spending $700+ at this time.
I do see things picking up now & the horizon is not as bleak as it was a month ago.
(no it has nothing to do with the new administration)
I've seen several architectural firms around me close up shop, I hate to see it happen, but it does eliminate the competition.
It has greatly helped to be well marketed with the local contractors that are still finding projects.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Do you need a consultant, design reviewer, CAD guy or BIM guy? C'mon - I can work remote.

In all seriousness to James, I've been looking at some of the petrochem guys in this area and a few of them are actually looking for CM/PM guys, so I might have a shot at one of those positions. Most of the technical stuff is either chemical engineering or mechanical engineering (not architecture) but I suppose there's possibility to get in on the basis of proven technical knowledge/skill in a similar profession or something.

As far as architecture/design for Tetrawest, if you want a resume I can shoot you one. It can't hurt I guess...

[futuresoptions]

Good luck sir, can't wait till the thread reads "Long time lurker....Laid!!!"

[911Rob]

Hey Mike,
All the best to you, good luck in your job hunt.

Write down a full description of what kind of job/career you would want and then go find it. Most important thing is knowing what you want, the rest always falls into place.

So can I ask? What do you want now?
Cheers,

[drew1]

Job loss seems growing.

Do you reckon Wayne would mind a resume thread?

It might help being to advise others of openings we know about.

[moliver]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

Hey Mike,
All the best to you, good luck in your job hunt.

Write down a full description of what kind of job/career you would want and then go find it. Most important thing is knowing what you want, the rest always falls into place.

So can I ask? What do you want now?
Cheers,

That is a great question...part of my severance was a month of outplacment service. I plan on really exploring the next steps for myself and career. I really wasn't happy with my last job anyway...but it would have been nice to find another job before being let go..

I am excited to have a fresh start...with the economy the way it is, its a little un-settling...but we have been saving cash lately in preparation for a potential lay off.

[mb911]

Originally Posted by moliver

Kinda feels like it...everyone seems to be cutting any new developement, and cutting down the engineering departments to the bare minimum.

Will probably have to get creative! There are jobs out there but places are not filling the positions.

look at teaching at comunity colleges they always need people in your profession. here in wisconsin they pay very well