Starting From Scratch Again.... Please Advice

[J_trustno1]

I have been working in this Civil and Environmental engineering consultancy for the last 5 months. The place is okay to begin with. I tried making contacts and I wasn't getting much friendly response. My contract finishes in a months time and I asked my manager regarding my contract and variety of work opportunities about a month ago. He never got back to me, and have been putting it off. I tried talking to him again 2 week ago, then he put it off to later in the after and never looked for me. Last week I had to ask him if anything is happening and he apologized for not getting back to me and how "busy" he was blah... blah & blah... He told me last week that he'll get back to me on that day but he hasn't.

Now my problem:

1. I don't have job satisfaction because I am completely invisible to these people while other people in my team are allowed to get variety of work. I have searched and asked people if they need help, I am available but nothing ever happened.

2. I am pretty much a data entry person and I really am NOT happy at that place for reasons: a) no recognition b) some negative people and I have been bullied by couple of people there but I'm learning to let of such people, c) I feel I can do better d) I'm simply NOT happy with my job and what I'm doing!


Now the question is:

1) where do I start from?( I have a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons) in chemistry & statistics, Master of Engineering in Chemical engineering.) But I have no idea where to start my search from.

2) I don't want to end up working in a lab. I do enjoy learning new things and using my analytical skills. I like problem solving but job wise, I am now lost what I'll do and where I'll end up after this contract ends. It took me 1.5 years to get this job and I don't want it to take that much longer again to find another job. I know jobs can take a while but still NOT that long.

Lastly, please don't tell me that I should be thankful for whatever I have because I am NOT happy with where I am right now. I would really appreciate your kind help. Thanks

 

[Friday]

Well, the good news is that you're not actually starting from scratch :)

You've got your degrees. You know the field(s) you want to work in. You've got some work experience which is giving you a better idea of the environment that you want to work in (instead of "a job, any job!" which is where you were at a few months back). You're also starting to fill out your CV to help you get the next job.

This is all part of the refinement process for shaping your life/career in the direction you want to take it in.

So it seems like now, instead of mass flooding the market, hoping for any job at all... It's time for a more pointed search? Research companies that you are interested in, retool your CV, collect letters of reference from your current job and start targeting companies that interest you for the long term?

 

[Fembot]

Have you considered connecting with recruiters? It is not a solid course of action to ever expect continuation borne of a contract (read "temporary") position. In all circumstances, you have already stated that you don't like the work you are doing/are unsatisfied with same. Staying would then seem to pose an issue, on multiple fronts for you and for the employer. Unless your financial needs outweigh your preferences (a harsh reality for many in this economy, both with and without PTSD this cannot be ignored), it seems counter productive to continue to question the employer.

 

[ms spock]

Be diplomatic. Perhaps email your supervisor and him if he would give you a reference? In that email you could thank him for his time and energy and ask him for suggestions such as:

"Can you suggest where else to apply?"
"What jobs have people gone on to apply for after working there at your current place of employment?"
"Ask him which recruiters might be of assistance to you?"

Ask him what professional bodies would he suggest you join and partake of for career development?

Are there any Women in Engineering or Chemical Engineering groups online or in real life that you can join?

Are there any projects in Chemical Engineering that you are passionate about - can you volunteer?

Are there any people who are higher up in the organisation that you got on well with and could ask to be your mentor?

Also try and assess whether your interpersonal skills need improvement so that you can work on them so the next time you are employed you get to try out different types of job positions as well, like some of your team members have. Was there only enough jobs to go around that you missed out? Or did your interactions with other people mean you were relegated to data entry?

Perhaps apply to work in a lab whilst you are searching for another job - it is not where you want to be, but the best place to find a job is whilst you are in the workplace and continuous employment looks better on your resume. Working in a lab could be a motivator to really put your resume out there, and work hard to get a different type of job. Having lab experience on your resume, might be a big plus for some employment situations - it means you know the lay of the land on the ground. It would be better of working any job rather than being unemployed for a year and a half. Also if you are applying for lab positions as a practice exercise, you might find out about other jobs during that process.

Just a few suggestions from me and if not useful please disregard them.

 

[J_trustno1]

Thanks @FridayJones for very positive feedback. Your really uplifted me since yesterday because I was very frustrated and crying while writing this post. Thank you again :) :hug:s.

Thanks @Fembot , I'll look into recruiting agencies again because last time none of them kept up with me despite me contacting them several times.

@Ms Spock: wow!! These are actually wonderful ideas. I think I'm going to apply them if I don't hear back from my manager anytime soon. Seriously, this was a brilliant piece of advice. Thanks once again Ms Spock :hug:s :)

 

[scout86]

I think you've already made a good first step by coming here and looking for advice. The last time you were looking for work, you had no experience. Now you do. That should help. I would make sure that I worked hard and applied myself for the rest of the contract, to do what I could to make sure I left my employer with a positive impression, if at all possible. Good recommendations are helpful, as are contacts. Even the people you don't like, you might meet again. It turns out to be a surprisingly small world.

I'm curious. What kinds of things DO people do with a degree in chemical engineering? I know it's supposed to be a good degree to have and it's hard work to get. I have no idea what all chemical engineers do. What are your options?

 

[ms spock]

@Jass_T I am really pleased that you found my suggestions and ideas meaningful and helpful. I really am so pleased that you experienced my post in that way!

You have come such a long way since you have been on these forums! I have seen you grow and change so much. You have worked hard and it is paying off for you - not saying life is easy or anything like that but you are doing it - living and that is so good to see and witness.

 

[Fembot]

Having a current work history is very important as is daily interaction with superiors and subordinates. Its a building block to get you on track to the career you want based on the sacrifices you have already made (education already achieved). Yes, recruiters and jobs for that matter are not what they used to be (like you, my spouse has advanced degree and his work history was within the engineering arena).

 

[Fembot]

Yes, times have changed with recruiting agencies where they were the ones chasing you, and now you must be much more proactive and have multiple recruiter contacts at the same time. Basically, its employer mandates for unrealistic placements that have tainted that whole hiring avenue and the whole supply/demand scale being all sorts of twisted, but it is a tool nonetheless. Fracking is hiring and a highly lucrative field for engineering and electricians. Have you had a chance or interest to see if any opportunities exist there? Any pharmaceutical work-background?