What should a Fresh Graduate (MS EEE) do with no experience - RF Cafe Forums

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telecom_usa
Post subject: What should a Fresh Graduate (MS EEE) do with no experience Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:37 pm
Most companies seem to be asking for experienced people. I recently grdauted with MS in EEE and took Microwave and Wireless courses. The only job positions fresh graduates seem to be getting is drive testing.
IS that really how I should be starting my career in RF ?
Also, It would be REALLY REALLY helpful for fresh grdautes like me if people could post the kind of Questions they faced in job interviews or the kind of questions we can 'expect' for a RF/Wireless position.

if not specific questions, it would be helpful if the experienced people could post the general areas a fresh graduate going out there in the job market be familiar with.

Thanks in advance and please let us make this Forum more productive. (Complaining is good too but it could be constructive complaining

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guest
Post subject: hiPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:04 am
what makes you different than the rest?

why are you special?

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Guest
Post subject: Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:43 am
@telecom_usa:

Good question !

Personally, my studies in electrical engineering with specialisation in RF were already hard for me. Although I studied 40-45 hours a week I just finished with average marks and the few spare time which remained I didn't want to spend with electronic stuff, that's why my practical experience are very rare.
Other guys just studied 30 hours a week, got all the 'A'-marks and programmed whole operating systems during their free time (a friend of mine invented his own MP3-format and has got patents on it....) They even had time to party ....

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IR
Post subject: Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:04 am

Site Admin

Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:02 pm
Posts: 373
Location: Germany
Hi telecom_usa,

As I mentioned in previous posts that discussed this common problem of fresh graduates, drive_test is the best way to begin your RF career. Because it gives you the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience that will allow you to progress to R&D jobs. If you begin doing design from the start, you will lack a lot of fundamental knowledge and experience that you will gain from a starting position doing testing work.

Good luck!!

_________________
Best regards,

- IR

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kanling
Post subject: Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:55 am

Colonel

Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:31 pm
Posts: 32
Location: Baltimore, MD
Don't allow yourself to get too desperate so that you take whatever crappy job comes along. Taking a first job that doesn't give you the experience that you need could handicap you for your entire career.

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mshafer
Post subject: Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:18 pm

Colonel

Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:49 pm
Posts: 29
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Feel free to send me your resume. I am not a headhunter. I am the Sr. RF MGR in charge of hiring for my team here at Sprint (see my other post with a description of what we are looking for).

e.m.shafer@mail.sprint.com

_________________
If you love CDMA, you have to come join my team!!!!!!!

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uwavegeek
Post subject: my experiencePosted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:16 am

Captain

Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:55 am
Posts: 6
I like what Kanling said. To add to it... be carefull at what you get good at. If you take a job as a production, applications, or non RF designer, it can be quite difficult to move later on.

One thing that I've noticed older RF engineers are weak at is programming. Be it test code (VEE or Labview), C++, digital stuff etc, Utilizing current tools to improve the efficiency of the design flow can allow you to contribute immediately where the older engineers haven't had the time or inclination to go. Some examples:

1.) Replacing the old Qbasic test code with a flexible, Agilent VEE or Labview interfaces. I myself did this and was able to quadruple the efficiency of our lab almost 6 months after I was hired.

2.) Rewriting that old Fortran code with some slick C++ Windows interfaces that run quicker and have more utility.

In short, hit em where they aint!.

Good luck!

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