Engineering

Brief Overview

Engineering jobs are available in university research laboratories, in government agencies, and in industry. Many employers come to Engineering Industry Day and the other Career Fairs at Notre Dame allowing students to apply for positions on GoIrish and to network with company representatives on-campus. Students are encouraged to search websites of interesting companies which do not recruit on campus.

Helpful Tips

  • Set aside time to research industries, explore websites, and review job listings.
  • View career guides and top employers in the Energy, Internet, Manufacturing, Tech, Telecom, and Transportation industries on the Vault Career Online Library.
  • Review job listings using Go IRISH, engineer.info, Career Builder, USA Jobs, and CareerShift. Explore the career links of specific employer websites to learn about job responsibilities and skills employers are seeking.
  • Attend Career Fairs to meet prospective employers. Visit with employer representatives and ask questions. Knowledge of different industries, companies, and opportunities will help you to identify positions of interest.
  • If a company grabs your attention but is not recruiting at Notre Dame, look at the company website for interesting positions and apply online.
  • Obtain insight and advice from professors, friends, alumni from Notre Dame, and other successful people in the field you want to enter.
  • When writing your resume and cover letters, use technical jargon to describe work experiences or projects and be sure to include computer skills. Learn what skills employers expect and market yourself accordingly.
  • Be aware of application deadlines.
  • Apply to positions of interest.
  • After applying for a position, network with one or more employees at the company.
  • Conduct informational interviews with your contacts to gain information about companies. Refer to the Informational Interview Guide for sample questions.
  • Keep excellent notes of networking information, dates of applications, emails, and interviews. Always follow through.
  • Send thank-you notes within 24-48 hours after informational meetings and interviews.
  • Concentrate on your course work and keep your GPA high.
  • Do not hesitate to ask for assistance at The Career Center.
  • Be persistent…a job search will take time and energy.

Networking

Set the goal of getting your resume in front of the hiring manager. A personal recommendation from a respected employee to the hiring manager will definitely increase your chances for an interview. Find contacts at companies using the following resources:

  • Irish Online – the Notre Dame Alumni Association’s online network of alums. Using the Directory Search allows you to search for alums in a variety of ways including by name, company, major, geographical location, and alumni club.
  • Linked In – on-line network of experienced professionals from around the world. The Notre Dame Alumni Network is growing rapidly.
  • Go IRISH – Employers who post positions on Go IRISH include contact information of their recruiter. Even if a job posting has expired the contact at the company is listed in the “Employer” link.
  • CareerShift – a national job-hunting website that allows you to search job listings from multitudes of job boards and company postings and obtain up-to-date contact information with email addresses.
  • CareerSearch – a powerful networking database that gives fast accurate up-to date information on potential employers and contacts in a wide range of industries and fields nationally.

Job Databases

My Perfect Gig Engineering Job Search Widget

My Perfect Gig is a private network that connects talented engineers with companies seeking their exact skills. Select your engineering discipline and click on the skills that define your perfect gig. My Perfect Gig will generate a list of opportunities that fit your criteria.

Engineering Groups on Campus

Below is a list of various groups with engineering interests on campus. Becoming an active member can provide excellent opportunities to develop contacts, obtain leadership skills, and learn about the real world of engineering. Email the moderator to get involved:

  • Chi Epsilon Honor Society
  • Computer Club, Notre Dame
  • Eta Kappa Nu
  • Joint Engineering Council
  • Mexican American Engineers and Scientists
  • Pi Tau Sigma
  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society

Visit the Student Activities Office website for more information.

Professional Engineering Organizations:

Below is a list of several professional organizations made up of leaders in their engineering fields. Members of these organizations can be a tremendous resource of information in their fields, provide opportunities for networking, and may be sources for internships. Several of these national organizations have local student groups on campus. Email the on campus moderator to find out more:

These organizations also have student group on campus. Visit the Student Activities Office website for more information.