My Dilemma - Apply Graduate Program?

Thenarrator on 01/04/2015 - 20:49
Last edited 02/04/2015 - 16:27

Hi,

I recently graduated with civil engineering/commerce degree at end of 2014. I was lucky enough to get into an entry role in a tier 1 company and have been working there for about a month only. The work is interesting as I'm learning heaps every day but this job isnt really my ideal job. To put it in an analogy, if north is my desired career direction, this job is leading me towards the north-east direction. It just seems to me that there are so many career options out there (even within the engineering industry) and I just want to try a variety so I know what I desire deep down. Hence I'm thinking if I should apply for graduate programs because some offer rotation in variety of roles.

Some of the reasons that is holding me back from applying is that I get along really well with my boss in my current job- hes quite young. We developed a real rapport quickly during that 1 month and I reckon given a few years down the track, we could really help out each other whether itd be in careers or starting a business or in any other sort of way etc.

Another reason is that I want to learn a bit more in my current job. Given I've only done 1 month, I've probably only touched very little of whats actually involved. The last thing I want is burning a bridge by quitting early. Ideally, I would want to work here for 2 years here then move on. But by then I would be too old for graduate programs and even if I did get in, I would be MANY years behind my peers. I just want to hear out my career options. I'm probably only interested in the role rotation aspects of graduate programs. Are graduate programs worth it?

The other aspect of graduate program is that I would need to apply now (march-july period) for Jan 2016. I'm on contract atm in my current job and any interviews I attend would mean Im not paid. A lot of opportunity cost :S

Education & Work

Comments

  • xoom on 01/04/2015 - 21:47

    If you like where you are now why not stay a little longer. You only been there a month. Give it time to grow on you. Learn all you can. Then move on if you so choose.

    As for the graduate program. I don't know anything about it so can't comment.

    The jobs i have had and currently was from people i have worked with for a few years who moved elsewhere.

    So dont discount the power of making connections with people you work with. Who knows who might end up running into later on when you move to a different job in the future.

    No use burning bridges just because you can.

  • Davo1111 on 01/04/2015 - 22:47
    +2

    It's one month dude. Speak to your boss/hr and ask to be rotated towards x direction.

  • sickllama on 01/04/2015 - 22:50

    Rotation graduate programs are generally fantastic. That said, they are by far not the only way to get a taste of different roles. Stay with it for 18mo - 2 years and apply for something different that appeals.

    If you work with nice people, find the work interesting (most of the time) and feel like there is career progression opportunities down the track, I say stick with it. Getting a role that ticks those boxes is far more rare than you'd think. I am glad someone told me this when I first entered the professional world - it has served me well.

    • Thenarrator on 02/04/2015 - 16:29

      Yeah that was what I was thinking. Do the current one for 2 year-ish then apply a different one. But then i thought, 2 years here and there, it might take too long and grad programs can achieve that by allowing people to do 6month rotations in 1 role etc.. :/

      • sickllama on 02/04/2015 - 16:40

        They're not the same. After doing four six month rotations, people still consider you junior. After two two year jobs you could be considered senior. This is in accounting anyway.

        I did 4x6 month grad program plus then a 3 month secondment and then landed my permanent role, which I've been in now for a year.

        I think given the option, doing a rotational grad program would be the best option, BUT I think that's straight out of uni. I think if you have found a job that gives you career opportunities, you find mostly pretty interesting and you get along with your boss and most of your colleagues you're on to a good thing! I wouldn't waste a year and then start a grad program. And yes it would be a waste of a year now, because you'd still be considered junior at the end of your grad program.

        TLDR rotational grad programs are the way to go, but given your circumstances (already graduated, found a good job) I would stick with it and gain exposure to different areas over the course of your career.

        Just my opinion. Others will have different ones. You've got to weigh it up and do what you think is best for you. Good luck.

  • Shark on 02/04/2015 - 00:12
    +1

    Hi Narato,

    I graduated in Civil Engineering & Masters Environmental Engineering about 18 years ago. When still completing my Masters I was approached by a Mining Company to enter their 3yr graduate programme. You are correct that the graduate programme enabled me to rotate through all aspects of the mining process to get a very good understanding which I benefited immensely over the following years with the company. In the 3yrs I worked at 2 sites as per the requirement of the graduate programme.

    I stayed with this mining company for 16+ years and worked in many and varied roles and sites. The company supported my MBA during this time as well.
    My advice to you would be stick at your current role for at least 18mths. It's certainly too early to be making big decisions about leaving for a different role IMO.
    Best of luck with it.

    • Thenarrator on 02/04/2015 - 16:32

      Thats the thing.. I would love to do this too however grad programs are VERY structured because you apply now for next year start. So if i DONT apply now, I wont get the chance to start 2016 meaning I would need to wait till 2017 to START my grad program.. Apply now would seem like I'm ditching my current job and applying next year would seem like I'm super behind my peers.. sigh

      • sickllama on 02/04/2015 - 16:47

        I'd forget the whole behind your peers thinking. You're on your own journey. Benchmarking yourself against others will only lead to unhappiness. There will always be someone who is more successful in an absolute measure in any given aspect of your life.

        Make decisions on what you think will give you the most satisfaction and happiness.

        • Thenarrator on 02/04/2015 - 18:01

          I think i'm a very competitive person (could be good or bad) and I always tend to gauge my performance relative to my peers.. I want to come out the winner and be better than the rest.. idk

  • UltimaInfinite on 02/04/2015 - 07:16

    Just want to second what Shark already said. A masters is worth it; but most engineering companies support or at least assist financially with Masters degrees. I wouldn't worry about the age thing at all - 18 months is not that big a difference. My DH is a civil engineer and since moving back to the US 7 months ago he's been unemployed (despite call backs and interviews). So you're really in a good position, to be employed fresh out of school and also to have a good rapport with your employer. Since you get along, why not share your interests with your boss about trying new responsibilities and pursuing a Masters? You might get more good advice.

  • brainactive on 02/04/2015 - 21:27

    Applying for graduate programs will certainly help hedge your bets, especially if you are unsure about your future career direction. Apply now, secure the position and 1 year later you have two options - stay with current job or move to rotational program. A lot of things will change in a year, you might find out your current job is actually your dream job or you might realise the job has gone from "north-east" to "south-west". Either way, if you apply now, you will have the option 1 year later with no bridges burnt.

    At worst, you delay your decision and buy yourself some time to think it through. At best, you are strides closer to where you want to be in the future. A few days unpaid leave is a small price to pay for a better future.

  • pg88 on 19/05/2015 - 16:18

    Given the job climate I wouldn't jump ship, especially since you've only worked for a month. There's always plenty of room to move within the company as long as you ask. The fact that you get along with your boss means that you should be able to find an opportunity to do so some way down the track.

    I completed the same degree and graduated a year earlier. Could not find any work in the engineering space and have now settled into a commerce job which I enjoy, although some part of me always wonders what if re an engineering career.

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