To be honest, it’s not all that difficult to get an engineering job. This is especially true for those who are graduating with a degree in computer science or software engineering.
With so few qualified candidates, the demand for these roles is high and companies are eager to fill them. However, even if you don’t have a degree, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to pursue a career in the field of engineering. Here’s how to get started:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Various Pathways: Explore different options like apprenticeships and vocational training to enter the engineering field without a formal degree. |
| 2. Online Learning: Consider leveraging Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to gain the necessary knowledge and skills for an engineering career. |
| 3. Hands-On Experience: Pursuing engineering jobs without a degree often offers practical experience, leading to quicker entry into the workforce. |
| 4. Skill-Based Advancement: Focus on developing specialized skills to potentially advance your career based on your abilities and performance. |
| 5. Transitioning Possibility: Even if you come from a non-engineering background, it’s still possible to switch to an engineering career through relevant experience and continuous learning. |
Get An Internship
Internships can be a great way to get your foot in the door. So if you don’t have a degree, focus on getting an internship at a company in your field of interest. This way, you can get real-world experience and make connections with people who know more than you do.
If you want to work as an engineer, but don’t want to go back to school yet (or ever), internships are probably going to be your best option for getting hired without having any degrees under your belt. If this is what interests you, here are some tips for getting started:
Look for opportunities that let you build up expertise in specific areas of engineering by working with engineers on projects related to their area of expertise this will make them more likely to consider hiring someone with less formal education than they would otherwise hire
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Network
The most important aspect of your job search is networking. You need to have a network of people you can talk to about the work you are doing, and if you don’t have a degree then your network will be even more important.
You need to make sure that your network contains people who know what kind of work you are looking for and can give you the advice and information that will help with landing the job.
Your network should be diverse you should have friends from all different backgrounds, whether it’s race, gender, or education level.
You need to find out who these people in your network are by asking them questions about themselves and their interests so that they know how they can help with getting a job.
As well as being able to use their connections with others to get jobs themselves later on down the line when they need one too!
Apply For A Job
When you apply for a job, do so honestly and confidently. The worst thing is to say you have skills you don’t have, and it’s also important not to exaggerate your experience or qualifications.
It’s okay if the company doesn’t want someone with your exact skill set; what matters is that they think you can do the job!
You’ll also want to be clear about what exactly it is that you’re looking for in this position and if possible, how their company might help them achieve those goals.
For example: if your goal is to become a software engineer but they only have internships available at this stage of development, then they probably won’t be able to offer much help on that front (though maybe there will be other ways).
But if there are positions open in departments like accounting and HR where your experience could come into play right away? Then by all means mention it!
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Prepare For The Interviews
Preparing for the interviews is the most important step in getting any job. You have to be prepared to get hired.
Practice your Interview Questions: Take time and practice answering questions that you might be asked during an interview.
There are a lot of websites out there where you can find sample interview questions and answers, so use them as a way to prepare yourself for what’s coming up!
Practice Your Answers: Once you’ve gone through all these sites and know how to answer these questions, it’s time for the real thing!
Practice answering these questions with confidence in front of a mirror or video camera will help give you peace of mind when things get real on the spot!
Body Language: Remember that body language speaks louder than words do during an interview (this includes eye contact).
It shows that person how confident they should feel about hiring you; this will ultimately decide whether or not they choose another candidate over yourself – so make sure that everyone sees what type of professional we are at all times!
Be Prepared To Talk About Yourself
When you’re interviewing, it’s important to be prepared to talk about yourself. You’ve got to be able to talk about your strengths and weaknesses, career goals, and any accomplishments that you’ve achieved. It’s also important to be prepared to discuss your education and hobbies.
To help prepare for interviews with employers who don’t require a degree (or who will accept an alternative credential instead), try thinking of questions they might ask you in advance. For example:
- What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Why do you want this job?
Be Prepared To Answer Technical Questions
You’ll need to be prepared for this. Make sure you’ve got a few examples of projects, experiences, achievements, and education ready to go.
If you’re applying for an entry-level position and don’t have much experience yet (or none at all), feel free to those questions with something like “I’m still very early in my career but I’d love the opportunity.”
You’ll also want some examples ready for when they ask about your certifications: “I have several certifications under my belt including X, Y, and Z,” or “I haven’t taken any formal training yet but I can tell you about some of the things I’ve learned by myself.”
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Be Prepared For Behavioral Questions
Behavioral questions are so common that you should be prepared for them. If you’re not, your resume might land in the “no” pile without a second glance.
They’re used because they can tell the company more about your personality and work ethic than a list of job duties. While it’s easy to include skills or accomplishments on a resume, it’s harder to convey the traits that make you an ideal candidate for any given position.
Behavioral questions are designed to do just that by giving hiring managers insight into your approach to working with others or completing tasks at hand.
On top of being an effective way for employers to learn more about prospective employees, behavioral questions also provide candidates with an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on how they would perform within various scenarios.
Another factor that hiring managers consider when making hiring decisions. Here are some examples:
Think About Your Desired Salary Range
One of the most important things you can do to get a good job is to accurately assess your market value. This means knowing what people in similar positions are making at other companies, and then researching how much the position should pay.
A great place to start is by looking at job listings that require skillsets similar to yours and asking yourself: “How much would I want if I were applying for this position?”
After establishing a baseline salary range, you must be prepared when discussing compensation with employers.
You need to be able to speak confidently about why you deserve what you’re asking for and if your argument doesn’t make sense, don’t expect an employer or recruiter to give it serious consideration!
Ask For Time To Think About It
If you’re offered a job, the employer will expect to hear back from you soon. If the offer is good enough and meets or surpasses your expectations, it’s worth thinking about for 24 hours.
If the offer is not quite what you were hoping for or if there are other reasons why you don’t want to accept then it’s best to let them know that within that same timeframe.
Some companies may give a week or two for people to think about their offers before making a decision, but most will expect an answer within 24 hours.
While taking this time allows you to consider all your options and make the best decision possible, keep in mind that they’ve invested time and resources into hiring someone new so they’ll be disappointed if they don’t get an answer right away.
Be polite when asking for more time: “Thank you so much for considering me!” Then add something like “I had hoped there would be more money involved,” followed by silence before continuing with something like:
“Right now I’m also trying out another opportunity at another company.”
Negotiate Your Starting Salary
Negotiating your initial salary can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it’s essential to remember that the worst that can happen is your prospective employer will reject your offer and you’ll have to make a counteroffer or find another job.
You should always negotiate your salary when accepting an engineering job even if the pay rate seems high compared to other offers you receive.
There are several reasons for this: First, you may not be getting paid as much as it seems; second, companies might be offering more money on the table than they want to spend;
Third, sometimes companies need engineers more than engineers need them (and vice versa).
Whatever the reason may be for why your potential employer isn’t giving you what they first offered during negotiations doesn’t matter because ultimately it’s up to you whether or not you want to accept their offer in its current form.
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Rehearse The Offer Discussion With Someone You Trust
You want to be as prepared as possible for your offer discussion. Sure, there are always going to be some curveballs thrown at you, but having a friend or family member role-play with you may help you prepare for those tough situations.
You could even ask them to ask tricky questions and let you practice answering them!
You can also practice difficult questions by yourself. Ask yourself what would happen if this were all in reverse: What if I was already offered the job and asked them these questions?
Have Open Communication
Whether you’re a new hire or have been working for your company for years, it’s important to keep everyone on the same page at all times.
Communicating effectively with your boss and co-workers will help you form strong relationships with people around the office, which can make a huge difference when it comes down to promotions, raises, and other opportunities within the organization.
The best way to stay on top of things is by keeping an open line of communication between yourself and those around you.
This doesn’t just mean talking about work all day long; rather, it means staying informed about what’s going on in their lives outside the office as well for example: how they’re doing at home with their kids or pets; if they’re planning any trips this summer; etcetera!
Collaborate More
Engineering is a field that requires collaboration. Working with others is an integral part of the practice, and you can’t get away with doing everything yourself especially not in a team setting.
If you’re one of those people who work best alone and feels awkward at the thought of having to interact with others, it’s important to realize that engineering isn’t just about working on your own it’s about working as part of a team.
Another important thing to consider here is that engineers are expected to be able to communicate their ideas effectively and persuasively, whether verbally or written down on paper.
This means you’ll need strong communication skills as well as good teamwork skills if you want your project team members (or client) to understand what exactly it is that they need from their results.
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Conclusion
I hope that this post has helped you to develop an action plan for getting a job in engineering without a degree. The first step is always finding the right position, which you can do by searching online or networking with other people in the field.
In addition to having an updated resume and cover letter, take time to prepare for the interview process by rehearsing your answers to common questions about yourself and your technical skills.
Finally, make sure that you are prepared before accepting any offers from employers; have open communication with them about salary negotiations so there are no surprises down the road!
Further Reading
CareerKarma – Engineering Jobs Without a Degree: Explore various engineering job opportunities available for individuals without a degree.
Youth Employment UK – Engineering Jobs Without a Degree: Learn about different pathways to enter the engineering field without a formal degree.
MOOC.org – Can I Be an Engineer Without a Degree?: Discover how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can help you pursue an engineering career even without a traditional degree.
FAQs
What are the options for pursuing engineering jobs without a degree?
While a formal degree is one common pathway, you can still enter the engineering field through various options such as apprenticeships, vocational training, or self-learning through online resources.
Are engineering jobs without a degree equally rewarding as traditional engineering careers?
Yes, engineering jobs without a degree can be just as rewarding, as they often offer hands-on experience and specialized skill development in specific areas.
How can MOOCs help me become an engineer without a degree?
MOOCs provide valuable educational resources and courses that can equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a career in engineering without a formal degree.
What are the advantages of pursuing engineering jobs without a degree?
One advantage is the ability to gain practical experience early on, leading to quicker entry into the workforce and potential career advancement based on skills and performance.
Can I transition from a non-engineering background to an engineering career without a degree?
Yes, transitioning from a non-engineering background to an engineering career is possible. Relevant experience, continuous learning, and demonstrating your skills through projects can help you make the switch successfully.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.