I have been an engineer for 8-1/2 years now. Wore a tie twice. Once for my initial interview, and once to meet with company lawyers.

I think our newest engineer has been listening to you.
the day he started, clean cut, shaven, business casual (most engineering departments are). over the next year, the slacks gave way to blue jeans then to ratty blue jeans, he didn't shave, didn't get a haircut. Not real sure he washed his hair much (allways looked oily and unkept). About a year after he got hired, he shaved, got his hair cut and come back in in slacks.
that was about the time he got married too, We think his wife made him clean up.

now for the seriousness. as a co-op, your gonna be underpaid, overworked, and get the jobs no one else wants to do or has time to do.
most places use co-ops as engineering slave labor, but its a great learning experience with the right group.
Your first year or two as an engineer is where you pick up a lot of habits.
If you want to impress them take two things with you when you enter the building. A pen and a journal.

 

Follow what the e-mail stated for casual business dress, shows you can read and follow simple requests. The best thing you can do is show confidence in yourself with out being arrogant.

 

Totally agree -with both parts.

I work in a larger engineering firm as well, and many co-op's and interns state they wish they could do a little more interesting, challenging work. I think it's a shame they don't utilize these folks a little better overall - leaves a lot better impression on them when time to find a full-time position after school

And - take a journal and a pen with you everywhere. I honestly wish someone would have said this to me leaving college - I'm trying to get into that habit - but it's hard to do since it wasn't natural from the start.

By the end of your time - your journal(s) should have a fairly worn cover, and more than just chicken scratch inside...

 

i got to manage 150 people in the military, but never got to hire/fire

exaclty. do what you are told. that's WHY they told you.

sounds like the guys i had in the Navy.....

writing down thier questions in the interview allows you to control the pace and flow, and you can catch ALL thier points, and make sure you answer all thier questoins.

just relax and keep your head. don't overthink.

unemployment aint THAT bad...

 

Thanks guys for all the info, I plan to bring a pad of paper and write the questions down what not. If I don't get it, it is not the end of the world, just means I go to school next semester that's all. I hear from previous interns they really enjoyed working for these people and that they learned alot so I look forward to that possibility.

 

Im trying to get in this habit too. I have started using the journal feature of outlook so I can log time on calls, while taking notes, AND be able to read it later.

A pad (Im thinking engineering pad or yellow pad) is ok to start, but spend a few dollars on a real bound journal. it will look more professional and pages wont get lost. Taking notes anytime your in a meeting or even just talking to people in the shop and writing it down will help you retain the information and more importantly, it will give you an accurate record of what was said and done for reference later.

 

^^trust Fronty- even his vehicle says he is a fastidious engineer. and he wore a tie for his interview.....mom knows this stuff, but i am old and useless now.

let us know and we'll send cookies!

 

Useless? NEVER! Old? Welll... you're older than ME!

chaikwa.

 

Show up wearing your steel toed boots in good shape (not all covered in mud and oil), a pair of safety glasses with in reach some ear plugs and a hard hat. Be prepared to to be asked some point questions about your skill set. Do not discuss wages but ask about benifits if you have not already.

Relax and be yourself, don't let on this is your dream job, just let them know you would be very excited to work for them with all their opertunitys they have availible to you. (Make sure you know of a few of them).

Good luck and relax.

 

Well other then feeling sicker then ever it went well. The first I interveiw with asked some different question:favorite food, tv show, what kinda 4 wheeler/sled I owned stuff like that, not much actually on my resume. Then we went on a tour, got to see some cool stuff. Then i got interviewed by a second guy, at this point I was having trouble talking due to my sore throat. This guy was alot hard, but I made it through. Then Rob, the guy that will be my boss and the guy that I originally interview with two weeks ago came back after about 10 minutes and said that I interviewed well. He then made me a verbal offer, pending background and drug tests. I have a week to consider the offer, I did not except on the spot, but will be taking the job.

Thanks all,

I didn't wear a tie as I didn't have one for the shirt I wore, that said most people were wearing jeans and t shirts, saw a few collars, on guy that interviewed me was wearing a flannel.

 

Congrats on the new job!!!

 

congratulation.

Now, you wanna hear about the 9:30 to 1:00 conference call I was on today?
What about the three to four hours every evening I put in trying to keep up because Im in these st00pid conference calls all day?

 

Congratulations!

See what NOT picking your nose will do for you?

 

... and I'll bet he checked his zipper!!

 

Congratulations!

Good job - I bet having the illness made it even more interesting....

Enjoy your position...