How do you set yourself apart when interviewing in the current job climate? What skills are most valuable? How can BCOE prepare you for your future? Campos EPC Engineer and 2019 BCOE Chemical Engineering alumna Vanessa Coria helps set you up for success in this edition of the Career Corner Q&A.

1) How did BCOE prepare you for your current role?

BCOE provided me with the essential tools needed to be a professional engineer. I gained invaluable experience and knowledge by working with my classmates on hands-on assignments and projects. My senior design project helped me gauge what it was like to work with a team of interdisciplinary engineers on complex problems.

I was also part of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), where one of my jobs was to co-manage events like Bourns College of Engineering Day (BCED). Working with SWE helped me learn how to work under pressure, take charge of group situations, and helped me refine my time management and organizational skills. Working in the Mechanical Engineering Department instilled in me the idea of always wanting to find new ways to improve efficiency which challenges me to find room for improvement in our productivity every day.

2) Since recently entering the workforce, what learned skills have been proven to be the most valuable in starting your career?

Curiosity, Leadership, and Communication.

Being curious and having an exploratory mindset has led me to learn so much more about the energy industry. I am constantly asking questions to absorb as much knowledge as I can from my peers and project managers.

I have been able to lead small tasks and find ways to make things efficient - not only in my engineering projects but also in the administrative office work too. Leadership and practicing leadership roles has given me a holistic view of my job.

Communication is key. Learning how to communicate with my colleagues and project managers from the beginning has allowed me to join different projects in a short amount of time I have been working. Communicating what you are learning and what challenges you are facing will help you learn how to assess situations better.

3) Current graduates are entering a uniquely challenging job market. How can seniors set themselves apart as candidates when applying for engineering positions?

Prepare, prepare, prepare for those interviews. Take advantage of all the events that the Career Center and student organizations hold. Use these opportunities to learn and improve your networking skills.

Work on your resume now and practice doing mock interviews. Personally, I wasn’t the best at handling phone interviews at the beginning, but it’s okay – everything needs a little practice. I know the job-seeking process is difficult and can be very lengthy, but don’t be discouraged. The path to finding a job isn’t a fun one, but take this process as a learning experience.

Showcasing the work you have done is also an awesome way to give interviewers an actual view of a project that you worked on. Share your screen or portfolio to show off your senior design or any project!

There will be times when you prepare, give it your all, and you will not receive a job offer. Trust me, I know the feeling, I’ve been there many times before but remember, there will always be another opportunity, and as I mentioned earlier, you can always use this as a learning experience. Keep your head up your job offer will come! When it does come, make sure you are aligned with what the job is offering, and that it is right for you and something that you are truly interested in. You got this!! BC...OE!! No but really I believe in you!!

4) What is your advice for students navigating remote interviews for jobs or internships?

Remote interviews are interesting, but you are not alone. It’s okay to feel a little overwhelmed as you are navigating through these interviews for jobs and internships. Treat it like any other interview, if it’s a video interview; dress to impress, sit somewhere with good lighting and check your microphone as well. Try and maintain eye contact and not be distracted by your surroundings. Look up who your interviewers are and get to know the culture and values of the company beforehand and ask yourself if it’s the right fit. Remember you can only control so much, take deep breaths, you got this! :)

P.S. Follow up and thank the interviewers!

5) What is your favorite part about being an engineer?

Working with a team of young engineers is awesome as everyone is passionate about continuously learning and improving themselves. It is such a great feeling to be surrounded by people who are finding innovative ways to make things more efficient and want to help better themselves and others. I enjoy the challenge to keep learning and improving how things operate.