So I got a job offer...

[herm0016]

imho, co-op experience will get you a foot in the door and and an interview, or hired but will not bump your salary over any other person that wants that job.
I built prototype wind turbine nacelles, brought them to the customer and fit them to the running gear and then designed and built all the production fixtures, helped write the work methods, and then trained the production personal in the trim and finish department.

I started at the same salary that everyone else did for my "real" job.

 

[zCypher]

Take it even if it's low. The only circumstance in which it'd be OK not to take it = you already have a job that pays at least as much. Just get a better job as soon as you can.

The extra experience will help, more references and maybe there WILL be a better opportunity there after 6 months - you don't know.

What are the advantages of turning down the offer?

 

[Mxylplyx]

My first offer out of college in software engineering was 34K/yr at a fortune 500 company. The first job is always the hardest to get, so take it. Once you have that under your belt, you'll be in a position to make well over 60 within 2 years. Experience = money, and right now you have none.

 

[Furyline]

Certainly see if you can get an offer from your other place.

Thinking about the 6 month reevaluation. If you were to come back asking 46k to start, over 6 months thats a total difference of maybe 1500 after taxes. So is it worth it for you to play hardball over 1500. Of course that's what they want you to think, but face it they are in a better position on this than you are. I'm not saying just take it punk, but consider what you're fighting over here. If you feel like they really want you, you could try to push back that you're worth more. I guess it depends on what you think their spot is, is it an immediate need or are they taking a chance on a guy with an inside reference. It's a tough situation.

Congrats on the offer, I know how stressful it is trying to get that first offer coming out into this economy.

 

[lokiju]

A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.

Take what you have in your hands now and keep working towards what you want until you get it.

 

[WackyDan]

The career services lady at my college said she would hate to see me take anything less than $48k, and I didn't study for 5 years to get a starting salary equal to what some liberal arts degree could have got me. Any advice?

WTF. You think a liberal arts degree nets you even $42k a year?

I've worked with your type. I hated you. Came in fresh out of college thinking you were the smartest fuck in the office. Along with that, you thought you'd be making 6 figures a year in no time, but had no idea how much work and networking it took to get there... I was smiling ear to ear as we laid you off back in the 2001 recession.

Seriously. Lose the sense of entitlement. I grew up in Central NYS... Rochester is an ok town, and 42k in Rochester, NY is a good starting point for you. It won't be your last job, but one of many. Take it, work your ass off, build your experience, and when you get the chance move south like I did and truly prosper. It may take you a few years to hit 60k+ but you will. Just don't expect that shiny new piece of paper called a degree to magically have anything to do with what you get paid. All it does is help get you an interview.... and ten years from now, it won't even do that.

 

[thescreensavers]

I have a friend who is a CS major, he started at 37k then after a year they bumped him to 42, and then a few months later I think he is at 48k.

But I guess in this market, the 60K+ for mechanical engineers starting salary is Bull.

 

[PCMarine]

$42k for mechanical engineering is a joke. I know because I went through the same process two years ago during the height of the recession. Consider moving to a different part of the country. Sectors that were hit hard and had mass lay offs are now hiring engineers full throttle.

For example, all three automakers are hiring thousands of engineers ($60-65k starting). There are tons of opportunities in oil and gas in Houston ($60-80k+ starting).

Taking a low ball offer makes it difficult to increase your pay since raises and bonuses are all percentages of your gross pay. I'd consider taking the job to pay the bills then actively look for jobs in healthier regions/sectors.

 

[MotF Bane]

WTF. You think a liberal arts degree nets you even $42k a year?

I've worked with your type. I hated you. Came in fresh out of college thinking you were the smartest fuck in the office. Along with that, you thought you'd be making 6 figures a year in no time, but had no idea how much work and networking it took to get there... I was smiling ear to ear as we laid you off back in the 2001 recession.

Seriously. Lose the sense of entitlement. I grew up in Central NYS... Rochester is an ok town, and 42k in Rochester, NY is a good starting point for you. It won't be your last job, but one of many. Take it, work your ass off, build your experience, and when you get the chance move south like I did and truly prosper. It may take you a few years to hit 60k+ but you will. Just don't expect that shiny new piece of paper called a degree to magically have anything to do with what you get paid. All it does is help get you an interview.... and ten years from now, it won't even do that.

 

[ghost recon88]

WTF. You think a liberal arts degree nets you even $42k a year?

I've worked with your type. I hated you. Came in fresh out of college thinking you were the smartest fuck in the office. Along with that, you thought you'd be making 6 figures a year in no time, but had no idea how much work and networking it took to get there... I was smiling ear to ear as we laid you off back in the 2001 recession.

Seriously. Lose the sense of entitlement. I grew up in Central NYS... Rochester is an ok town, and 42k in Rochester, NY is a good starting point for you. It won't be your last job, but one of many. Take it, work your ass off, build your experience, and when you get the chance move south like I did and truly prosper. It may take you a few years to hit 60k+ but you will. Just don't expect that shiny new piece of paper called a degree to magically have anything to do with what you get paid. All it does is help get you an interview.... and ten years from now, it won't even do that.

:thumbsup:

 

[silverpig]

Right now you are making about $42k if you were full time at $20/hr. Is it worth it to quit and make the move over, having to deal with that month of not knowing the way they do things before you can be productive?

If you can, I'd suggest you keep on at your current place, and spend the next 3-4 months trying to really improve something they do, or save them some money, then apply for new jobs again in the fall. If you can put something on your resume saying you "improved <x> process resulting in a 25% boost in efficiency, saving $350k/yr", you're looking pretty good.

 

[Imdmn04]

WTF. You think a liberal arts degree nets you even $42k a year?

I've worked with your type. I hated you. Came in fresh out of college thinking you were the smartest fuck in the office. Along with that, you thought you'd be making 6 figures a year in no time, but had no idea how much work and networking it took to get there... I was smiling ear to ear as we laid you off back in the 2001 recession.

Seriously. Lose the sense of entitlement. I grew up in Central NYS... Rochester is an ok town, and 42k in Rochester, NY is a good starting point for you. It won't be your last job, but one of many. Take it, work your ass off, build your experience, and when you get the chance move south like I did and truly prosper. It may take you a few years to hit 60k+ but you will. Just don't expect that shiny new piece of paper called a degree to magically have anything to do with what you get paid. All it does is help get you an interview.... and ten years from now, it won't even do that.

Chill out, he is not asking for 6 figures, he is simply asking for a few grand more. Even at $50k, it is still low for a ME in 2011. No need to label someone "entitled" for asking a reasonable starting salary in his field.

Having said that, I got lowballed on my first job too, but the technical knowledge I learned from my first job allowed me to to double my salary in 2-3 years on my second job.

My advice is that, if the experiences is useful in the industry, take the job for the experiences. You most likely have a few grand of wiggle room, so wiggle.

 

[96Firebird]

Haha, I love the people who are getting butthurt because I want to get the AVERAGE salary for an ENTRY LEVEL mechanical engineer. Reading some of these replies, you'd think I was asking for a 6 figure salary with a company car and jet. Rather, i'm asking for advice about a job offer that is $8k below average in my area, which us pretty substantial I'd say.

PCMarine - I really don't want to move out of the area just yet, I'm waiting fory girlfriend to finish getting her degree. I have been checking the auto industry though, particularly GM because they have a few locations around here. A few years back I read an article that they were expanding the engine plant in Tanowanda (sp?), and more recently the GM plant here in Rochester. But I haven't seen any job postings for those locations yet. I'd really like to get into something in the automotive sector, because I took the automotive option at RIT meaning all my tech electives were automotive based. Really enjoyed those classes.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Haha, I love the people who are getting butthurt because I want to get the AVERAGE salary for an ENTRY LEVEL mechanical engineer. Reading some of these replies, you'd think I was asking for a 6 figure salary with a company car and jet. Rather, i'm asking for advice about a job offer that is $8k below average in my area, which us pretty substantial I'd say.

PCMarine - I really don't want to move out of the area just yet, I'm waiting fory girlfriend to finish getting her degree. I have been checking the auto industry though, particularly GM because they have a few locations around here. A few years back I read an article that they were expanding the engine plant in Tanowanda (sp?), and more recently the GM plant here in Rochester. But I haven't seen any job postings for those locations yet. I'd really like to get into something in the automotive sector, because I took the automotive option at RIT meaning all my tech electives were automotive based. Really enjoyed those classes.

Then turn down the offer. Even if they raise their offer, you'll be butt heart on how they treated you.

 

[bignateyk]

Take it and keep your options open. If they don't give you a raise after 6 months then bail as soon as you find another job. Until then you get to collect at least some money.

I know a guy who refuses to take anything less than what he thinks he is worth. He sits in his parents basement unemployed because he won't take a lower starting salary. I'm sure people are gonna want to hire him now that he has sat in his parents basement doing nothing for a couple years after graduation :rolleyes

 

[edro]

out of curiosity, what's your preferred 3D CAD program?

Solid Edge, Solid Works, Inventor would be my top three, in order.
ProEngineer sucks.

$42k sounds a little low. $50k would be dead on.
I would counter with $46k and see if you get any more.

I would take the $42k though, as others have said.
You can always keep applying while you are working, gaining experience.
There is nothing wrong with leaving in a month in this day and age.
The companies dont care about you, you shouldn't care about the company.

 

[rcpratt]

WTF. You think a liberal arts degree nets you even $42k a year?

I've worked with your type. I hated you. Came in fresh out of college thinking you were the smartest fuck in the office. Along with that, you thought you'd be making 6 figures a year in no time, but had no idea how much work and networking it took to get there... I was smiling ear to ear as we laid you off back in the 2001 recession.

Seriously. Lose the sense of entitlement. I grew up in Central NYS... Rochester is an ok town, and 42k in Rochester, NY is a good starting point for you. It won't be your last job, but one of many. Take it, work your ass off, build your experience, and when you get the chance move south like I did and truly prosper. It may take you a few years to hit 60k+ but you will. Just don't expect that shiny new piece of paper called a degree to magically have anything to do with what you get paid. All it does is help get you an interview.... and ten years from now, it won't even do that.

Thanks for the laugh.

 

[Krynj]

I would love to be making even 35 grand a year doing CAD/3D modeling.

Take the job.

 

[NoCreativity]

Sounds like a weeding out process.

What other benefits do they offer?

What kind of hours are they talking?

What kind of projects (experience) can you expect?

Salary shouldn't be the only consideration.

 

[Imp]

Haha, I love the people who are getting butthurt because I want to get the AVERAGE salary for an ENTRY LEVEL mechanical engineer. Reading some of these replies, you'd think I was asking for a 6 figure salary with a company car and jet. Rather, i'm asking for advice about a job offer that is $8k below average in my area, which us pretty substantial I'd say.

"Average" means a mix of high and low numbers. Something is always bumping it up and something is always dragging it down. If engineering taught me anything, it's that sometimes you are going to be the one dragging it down.

Welcome to the "low" side...

 

[Blieb]

What other benefits do they offer?
What kind of hours are they talking?
What kind of projects (experience) can you expect?
Salary shouldn't be the only consideration.

This, for starters.
We have had several people leave when a significant other graduates, that's always a low blow. Take them in, nurture them, react to any bitching or whining, then WHAM -- splitsville.

Anyways ... I think you should take it. You could hold out if you were looking in more geo's. It's a job, a first step in your next 40 (FORTY) year career.

If it's an HR person or someone who actually makes the decisions, you can ask, hey, this seems a little low, is there anything you can do to bump the offer up just a little? If they say no, then you have the answer. If they want you, they'll find a few extra bones.

 

[Dryst999]

I know how disheartening it is to get an offer way below what you were expecting to make.

I graduated in fall 2009 and took a job making 20k less than I planned on starting out at with a "re-evalution after 90days"... I took it b/c it was better than being unemployed, 3 months later I find out that i'm not getting any salary increase until my 1yr mark so I put my resume out on dice/monster/career builder... 3 weeks later I had two offers from two respected companies for 15k/22k more than I was making which I obviously took.

Moral of the story is that you are MUCH more likely to find a better job being currently employed in your field, even only being at said company for a few short months. I literally went from 0 callbacks right after graduation to 4 callbacks a week, 4 interviews and 2 offers within a 3 week period.

Each of my interviews asked why I was looking for a job so soon and I let them know that layoffs were most likely coming and being the new guy on board I felt my job at risk... not only did they accept that excuse but they commended me on being proactive. This is an extremely easy excuse to use in this market and will be accepted without question in most situations, this will allow you to change jobs in a short amount of time without being thought of as a job hopper (Use for first job only, obviously don't have a string of 3-6month gigs on your resume).

It sucks being lowballed, use it for experience and don't worry about loyalty; they are getting you at a bargain and you are using them as a stepping stone. As far as your current salary effecting your future salary I wouldn't worry too much about it; you can either say you only took the salary to get the experience and you know what your worth, or you can do what I did and lie about your previous salary and say that you were getting paid average market value (Use this one at your own risk, but it worked for me!)

 

[Cuular]

based on googling "BS Mechanical Engineering Salary within 25 miles rochester ny"

The jobs offering 50k, start with requirements of 5-9 years experience. So I'd say suck it up buttercup, take the job, and impress them with 6 months of good work. If they don't give a decent raise after that keep looking. But I wouldn't expect to hit that 50k price point in that area, without a little more experience.

Just cause the average person in the US is making 55k, doesn't mean you make that average immediately on graduation with a college degree. That's people that have been working for a few years.

 

[96Firebird]

Just cause the average person in the US is making 55k, doesn't mean you make that average immediately on graduation with a college degree. That's people that have been working for a few years.

http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Mechanical-Engineer-I-Salary-Details-14623.aspx

http://www.rit.edu/emcs/oce/students/salary?clusterid=C6C86395-5F87-4C44-83EC-42B05FCF36A2

Given that the median entry-level salary is in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, most people would agree that mechanical engineering starting salaries are reasonably high. But, for those looking to reach the top of the mechanical engineering field, engineering starting salaries are just a prelude to a salary dream come true. As shown in the chart above, after only five to nine years of experience, mechanical engineering starting salaries experience a big jump. After 20 years of experience, mechanical engineering salaries can dwarf median starting salaries and rise into the triple digits.

Source: http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Mechanical_Engineer/Salary/by_Years_Experience

Notice - These are all for ENTRY LEVEL Mechanical Engineers.

 

[sunzt]

@96Firebird,

Forget about the $ for a moment and ask yourself this. Which job best aligns with your career goals, desired work, and fits the industry you desire to join?

I guarantee that if pick a job that best matches those criteria that you will be happy. If you hate 3D modeling/analysis, you don't want to pick a higher paying job if all you're doing is 3D modeling/analysis.

You're an engineer, the money will eventually come one way or another, guaranteed. Just make sure that the job you do is the one you like to do.