Hey everyone, I feel a little stuck at the moment. I graduated in 2010 with a 2:2 in a BEng Audio and Video Engineering degree(basically a more specialised Electronic and Electrical Engineering curriculum), which I was gutted about because I basically failed one of my 20 credit finals. So I asked for some advice from my dissertation supervisor and the careers service at Glasgow University, both of whom suggested that I looked into an MSc course in Electronic and Electrical Engineering since I had already specialised during my undergraduate degree. Back then I had my heart set on a PhD.

I actually managed to get funding for the MSc in Swansea, I have no idea how....they must have really liked my application I suppose. I passed with Merit in the end with an average of 68% with a research project in a university owned company in which I scored 70%. However I'm finding it really hard to get replies on my applications. Since graduating in October I have had 3 interviews, and been declined for various reasons, the last of which was "you didnt sell yourself enough".

Now I am getting concerned with a gap opening on my CV and am starting to get in a panic. My current thinking is I need to get experience somehow, either unpaid internships or through another masters program with a year in industry such as the MSc in Computer Science in Kent University. Im getting rejected left and right for PhD's, and every time the reason is my 2:2 at undergraduate level so I have given up on that.

Is another MSc going to appear as overkill? Shall I go into teaching since I quite like the idea of teaching maths? Or shall I focus on getting unpaid work experience in the meantime?

electricwizard,

Your CV might need some works, an issue of job searching skill. According to your post, there is nothing related to your academia achievements or qualifications.

I recommend you find your university career advisers for trimming your CV and cover letter, and keeping looking at the career advisory web of other UK universities. It is really impressed that your master research was achieved in a commercial environment. It is the best selling point for an engineering graduate.

Hello,

Sorry I was a bit down in the dumps yesterday lol and feeling sorry for yourself wont get you anywhere! So I was thinking, basically I need to change my approach a bit.

I dont really my CV target towards specific applications and I think theres a bit too much crammed on there and its mainly highlighting technical lab work I have done that doesnt really apply to industry. If anyone could give me some pointers then it would be great (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/100677244/DHurstCV.pdf). So I will tailor it for each application, I generally get replies when my CV fits the job spec mostly. My covering letters are good, I used the guide on prospects.ac.uk.

Looking for new vacancies is also something I am not very good at. I use totaljobs, JustGraduates, JustEngineers, indeed.co.uk to look for new roles but they are mostly advertisements through recruitment agencies. I get a lot of calls from them but no interviews, so I may not deal with them much longer. What is the best way to search for new vacancies? I am going to start looking for internships, either by networking through linkedin or applying directly to advertised positions.

Thanks

Hi Electric Wizard

With a 2.2 and a merit at Masters Level, you have already done extremely well.

Re Job seeking - the majority of non-public sector jobs are never advertised. The 'hidden jobs market' has got to be added to your 'search list'. Networking can be useful.

You may have already done this .... have you tried reviewing firms you would like to work for, and sending them your CV (and cover letter)? Both CV and letter have got to be focused so you stress why you really want to work for that particular firm.

Many people (me included) are not good at interviews. Can you arrange some practice interviews with local careers people? These mock interviews can also be videoed - so you can see strengths and weaknesses. The more you practice interviews the better you become.

Re teaching maths - how about volunteering as an adult numeracy/literacy tutor? You do not get paid, but you do get experience, which can come in handy afterwards. Most councils/colleges who run literacy and numeracy schemes also provide certification qualifications for their tutors...useful to you and useful to your CV. You can also get a better insight into whether teaching would suit you.

Re getting that PhD .....it does not have to be done straight away. People do them in their 30's, 40's 50's etc. Sometimes actually having a PhD does not improve your job prospects. If you were working in a steady job, as opposed to some jobs in academia (which are far from permanent), it also means you are not depending on getting funding. It can be easier to get on to a PhD program if you are paying your own way. There is nothing wrong with doing a PhD part time!

Regards

Angelette

Have you talked to a careers advisor about your CV and your sales pitch? A 2(ii) plus M.Sc. should be enough to give you a level footing with other applicants and was my route to a PhD (I actually ended up with two M.Scs. due to ill health on the first one, leading to me taking the second as I thought I'd failed the first). I will add I worked in the real world for five years before I came back too.

Take a read of my blog as it may give you a few pointers. I cover qualifications plus experience needed to find a PhD. Rather than a gap open up on your CV, I suggest you find a relevant job (I know this is hard at the moment too) in the medium term as this will help in a future application.

By the way, posting up your CV is a very dangerous thing to do as it tells people all they need to know to commit identity fraud.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)