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RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:54:25 GMT

Update:

So I wen't to the career fair, but was dissapointed to find out that all the reps present were from ENGINEERING firms!! . Regardless I rubbed some shoulders and talked to some people, but I left early and the speaker from the CWEA event was nice enough to email me the presentation info.

I have interviewed at three cities for Plant Operator positions and I was interested in one position and actually went through three interviews with them and am waiting to hear back from them. I have applied for a biologist & inspector positions for the city I currently live in. It seems more and more cities are recruiting for plant operators which is GREAT. I realized that plants larger plants require staff be present 24/7 and this is pretty nice because I can go back to school if I work a very early or late shift. Next semester im gonna enroll in some environmental computer modeling courses and engineering courses... If I end up liking the engineering stuff then Im gonna get a degree and run with that, but working at the city with an engineering department is a big plus!

Currently working at one of the "head honcho" biotech companies, but im gonna start applying for jobs like project assistants for enviro consulting firms and industrial hygensit type jobs. The money is good where i'm at now for my level of experience (not much) but theres just no passion in what im doing. I remember when I looked forward to the work that was waiting for me at previous jobs; i miss that!

Beware: I'm still on the hunt and journey has not even begun

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

AQSRecruiter — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:10:23 GMT

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RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

mary — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:49:20 GMT

Leonid Leopold, Leon, Leone, Leo Bocaya, Buycao Barrio, Ayaco, Bocaanya

- Apply at a job at Johnson & Johnson. They're know for hiring recent grads.

Leonid Leopold, Leon, Leone, Leo Bocaya, Buycao Barrio, Ayaco, Bocaanya

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

mary — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:46:09 GMT

Leonid Leopold, Leon, Leone, Leo Bocaya, Buycao Barrio, Ayaco, Bocaanya Sayss:

I suggest the autumn sun brings out the best in people. only time will tell

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

MR_HOLMES — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:28:35 GMT

Time on the job can be overrated. When a job posting reads one are two years experience apply for it anyway. One year of experience means almost nothing. They usually put that stuff on the posting because they would like to have someone overly qualified apply. In reality most of the people applying for and getting an OIT or entry lab position are just like you. Usually lab tech I positions are filled by people direct6ly out of college with no experience, and OIT are filled by people from other departments within the agency or with people from completely different backgrounds.

I have a degree in biochemistry. I worked as a sales rep for a national distributor of scientific lab products. I became a pretreatment tech for a city because I had good customer service skills and a chemistry education. Then I became a lab tech for two years. Later I went to work for another city as a utility worker. Then I became an operator at a treatment plant and after ten years I became the OIC.

The best job for me was pretreatment and industrial inspection. It fit nicely with my skills and interests. Sometimes I wish that I could go back to industrial pretreatment.

If you want to be a decision maker you should go to work for a small jurisdiction. Complex facilities will have less opportunity for you to contribute to the bottom line.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:17:41 GMT

Believe me, I'd love to carry the torch when its time to hand it off!
I looked into the Biologist position when it opened up on the first day and I noticed the required experience included 2 years of lab environment work which I don't have . I was disappointed a month or so back because there was supposed to be an internship offered (city of san jose) WITH these Biologists', but the recruitment got shut down for some reason (inquired many times).

I had an operator interview today and will have another next week. This weekend is the SWRCB operator exam that I'm signed up to take... I already have a CWEA operator 1 certificate. The wheels or progress are turning.. Slowly, but surely, folks!

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Victor — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:44:17 GMT

Siccished:

You may want to scamper on over to CWEA's web page and apply for the biologist position just opened up in "where else..." San Jose! Use the following link to view job openings in California:

http://www.cwea.org/e-bulletin/jobs.html

Good Luck. Pretty good money. Maybe you can take over my job in a couple of years. Need a break from this industry.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:48:31 GMT

Bill Gaines (9/28/2007)

I agree with all of the fine suggestions from my colleagues but would like to add.....just get inANYWHERE! Would your present talents be better suited to being a lab tech rather than an entry operator? Probably so.But wherever you get in will provide a more diverse background for wherever you go to -- and consequently make you in more demand. Be an operator then mosey into the lab after your shift or be an inspector and spend some time in the headworks. Knock on doors and apply for positions. Be persistent.

Well said! My dad has always told me the same thing & I definitely agree.
There will be a ton of demand in the future for business of conserving natural resources so I'd like to start early in the public sector and go back to school to learn new things (gis, enviro modeling, field assessments, hydrology, maybe engineering).

Soon my children.. Soon

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:38:57 GMT

andrea (9/26/2007)

Sorry, everyone - it's been a little while. Yes, I do work for a bay area city - San Jose actually. And.... I think I have found somethingworthwhile to look into. The Santa Clara Valley chapter of CWEA is having their monthly training meeting and the topic is "Job Market Assessment:..."There's more but I think the most important part is that it is preceded by a (drum roll please)Student CareerFair from 2pm - 5pm.It is on October 18th down here in San Jose (RSVP by the 12th!) andyoumight be able to swing a student rate. I don't know if you can post attachments, but I have a Pdf flyer with the info. If you want it, email me through the listserv and I can send you an attachment. It might take some smoozingskills (which I tend to be uncomfortable doing, but, man, is it helpful! I am going to WEFTEC so hopefully that will help), but I would think it is a good opportunity. You mentioned San Diego - I assume you've seen all the Student/ Young Professional activities at WEFTEC?

I'm wayyyyy ahead of you Andrea! I got the flyer last week and I will be there. I was very suprised that they were holding a student career fair! I actually live in san jose too... I missed the lab tech job application deadline that they recently had an announcement for.

I actually just got a job (biotech) but I have two interviews for an operator III & OIT position. The search will not end

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Bill Gaines — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:30:43 GMT

Like Victor, I too stumbled into the field some 30 years ago -- haven't left since and lovin' every minute of it! The advantage you have over us is that you are directed, motivated, and have a vision. Our advantage (which you seek now) is that we fell into a job.

I agree with all of the fine suggestions from my colleagues but would like to add.....just get in ANYWHERE! Would your present talents be better suited to being a lab tech rather than an entry operator? Probably so. But wherever you get in will provide a more diverse background for wherever you go to -- and consequently make you in more demand. Be an operator then mosey into the lab after your shift or be an inspector and spend some time in the headworks. Knock on doors and apply for positions. Be persistent. And though it may go without saying, I'm going to say it: As with any application or interview, heavily research everything that you possibly can about the potential employer beforehand!

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

andrea — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:57:58 GMT

Sorry, everyone - it's been a little while. Yes, I do work for a bay area city - San Jose actually. And.... I think I have found something worthwhile to look into. The Santa Clara Valley chapter of CWEA is having their monthly training meeting and the topic is "Job Market Assessment:..." There's more but I think the most important part is that it is preceded by a (drum roll please) Student Career Fair from 2pm - 5pm. It is on October 18th down here in San Jose (RSVP by the 12th!) and you might be able to swing a student rate. I don't know if you can post attachments, but I have a Pdf flyer with the info. If you want it, email me through the listserv and I can send you an attachment. It might take some smoozing skills (which I tend to be uncomfortable doing, but, man, is it helpful! I am going to WEFTEC so hopefully that will help), but I would think it is a good opportunity. You mentioned San Diego - I assume you've seen all the Student/ Young Professional activities at WEFTEC?

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

GaryS — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:24:13 GMT

Siccished, you've described me about 30 years ago. I also went the lab analyst route at a wastewater plant. Along with wastewater, you might also look at water treatment plants also. There's plenty of overlap so that you would get good experience if you still ultimately wanted to go to wastewater. Also, you might find something with industrial plants. Many of them have pretreatment systems. Downside of that is, they may have very small facilities, or very specialized one step treatment such as metals precipitation as opposed to a full scale treatment plant. Still, it would be good experience.

Good luck with the job hunt. You've got an interesting time to be getting into the industry. Water availability is only going to get tighter and tighter, and the treatment industry will have to grow hand in hand with the increased demand.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Dvant — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:03:38 GMT

That whole car thing and the part on fabrication is exactly the kind of stuff I look for in an interview. Get a CDL and you would be an entry level dream. At least for the small places I've hired for.

Mark

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:48:48 GMT

Actually the only job in the wastewater field that I have interviewed for was a lab chemist and a compliance inspector (informal interview). I really do understand what you mean when you say I can mess up the interview by coming off as a "college boy" and really, I don't think I have that problem at all, but its definitely a good suggestion. One of the things I have thought brining up are my hobbies which can really make an impression that I'm a big hands on person that can work an industrial setting. I'm really involved in the whole car scene which often has me fabricating parts using tons of tools such as mills, welders, cutting torches and a bunch of other hand tools that you would find in somebodies automotive shop. I love that stuff and plan to adding more tools to the hobby.

Oh yeah, one time I had a job where i was taking care of lab animals and I would literally pressure wash i'd say about 10-15+ gallons of actual feces/urine from different kinds of animals down into a drain. I had to shower immediately after that task because there would be so much aerosolized poo in the air that I would just reek! I bet all the microbes at the wastewater plant were just loving all that juice? Must be nice to get a peek in bod

I'm just making discussion BTW. Definitely not complaining..Every dog has their day

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Dvant — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:51:56 GMT

You are kind of coming off like a college boy. You know a clean hands kind of person. Wastewater can be a dirty job and if you don't come off like a guy that will be there when the influent hits the bar screen you are not going to get the job.

Every one is going to figure your smart, college boy that you are, but a lot of wastewater operations are mundane cleaning tasks. So after you tell the interviewer that you can kick it in the lab it might be good to mention that you mop floors better than a sailor fresh from boot camp.

Smart isn't a bad thing, but it is not the only thing. You need to get across to the interviewer that you are willing to do the mundane and learn the things that college didn't teach. The sad thing is I once hired an operator II that couldn't fill a grease gun. He looked good on paper, but when push came to shove his hands stayed clean.

So, stop and think about how you are coming off in interviews.

Mark

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:28:15 GMT

Still no luck yet guys!
I applied to 3 Operator in Training jobs which have just past their application deadlines and I am awaiting their "we're sorry to inform you.." letters haha. The funny thing is that I just applied for a few biotech/pharmaceutical jobs during this week and I now have 2 interviews next week. Pharm companies trust me enough to conduct toxicology in vivo studies & regular QC lab work, but not for the duties of a wastewater operator+ inspections?

Oh well, I'm sure the competition is plenty for these jobs and HR choose very wisely so I will wait for a more technical position and finally just start working. The wastewater field can wait, but I will definitely keep applying, except maybe this time I'll look for a lab/field/compliance only positions. I just got a paper in the mail informing me that I passed the grade 1 operator test too

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:14:11 GMT

Andrea:
I think the WEF chapter @ SJSU was created by the Environmental Engineering department because I can't find a trace of it anywhere on the chemistry, biology OR the environmental sciences departments! Weird huh?!? I also couldnt really find any info on the group except a contact email for somebody in charge. I wen't to SJSU for about a year so I still have acess to the restricted pages

By the way, do you work for a city somewhere in the bay area?

The conference in Redding and the career fair in San Diego look tempting & microscopy workshop in Seattle sounds fun..

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

andrea — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:18:59 GMT

Victor -

Thanks! I actually am already a CWEA member and attended their annual conference last Feb. I will have to keep my fingers crossed for funding for Long Beach! I was searching for YP info on the website and found a YP committee, but the chapters seem to be geared for just students. In fact, I ended up on the San Jose State page (the nearest chapter) and the link to request more information about the club asks you for your SJSU student ID! I think I will email members of the Student and YP Committe about getting involved...

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Victor — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:54:49 GMT

Alex/Andrea:

Some advice in regards to starting out in the wastewater field:

1. I would greatly recommend that you become a member of California Water Environment Association and attend functions such as the annual conference where you can become "submerged" in various topics of interest, have the opportunity to ask questions of participants, and just comingling with various different disciplines that makes up this great industry.

2. There are some community colleges that have dedicated curriculum for this industry whether it be potable or wastewater. Start visiting nearby colleges and look up their majors.

3. Join the Young Professionals chapters of WEF in specific colleges or start your own chapter. For one reason or another (don't ask me why) but it is nearly made up of engineers.

4. Use the following link to access job opportunities through CWEA.org

http://www.cwea.org/crj_seeker_resources_otherjs.shtml

Good luck. Do keep us posted on your trials and tribulations.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

andrea — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:16:14 GMT

Hello everyone! As a recent graduate myself, I wanted to let you know it is possible (albeit very frustrating at times)! I graduated May 06 in FL, moved to CA, and ending up finding/ stumbling into a job as an assisstant environmental inspector (I knew I wanted to do something with the environment, but I did not know exactly what - something I am still tweaking). I hear your pain in trying to find an entry level position - how are you supposed to get experience if they already require it for each position?! I was able to get my current position through the completion of my bachelor's degree (chemistry classes and such) and some interviewing skills - but the minimum was just 2 years of college and 2 semsters of chem! My advice is to apply for positions even if you would have to stretch to meet the requirements. For example, the city of san jose is hiring an operator (https://jobs.quickhire.com/scripts/qhsanjose.exe/runjobInfoApply?aOrg=1&aJob=2486&ORGIMG=&INTERNAL=0) and, of course, it requires a year of experience. However, you would be surprised. Sometimes they have a difficult time getting a qualified candidate pool, and often you can at least be placed in a pool for future hiring events w/o having to reapply every time.

Oh!! I think this might be helpful though! I was looking in old recruitments I've gotten from professional development groups and the like for you and I found this - http://www.unionsanitary.com/PO_III_Trainee_0807.htm. It specifically mentions it can be an entry level postion and you have a time frame to earn the grade III certification you expressed interest in and you are placed in a pool for future postions and you have until almost mid september to apply (plus the benefits wouldn't be a bad thing)! You do, however, have to request the application materials in advance so if you're interested why not do it now? Good luck! Let us know how it goes - I can keep an eye on jobs postings I see.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:25:26 GMT

Thats a very good suggestion, will do.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Victor — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:33:47 GMT

Alex:

Very few people in a wastewater treatment lab or for that matter operators, study to become a wastewater lab employee or wastewater treatment operator. The majority of the people employed in this field happen to stumble onto their current position. This is what happened with me. I needed a job while at school and a nearby agency needed a lab assistant for their internship program. The thought of working in this field had never occured to me but I've been doing this type of work for the last 19+ years. Yes, you could get a Masters in management, environmental engineering, environmental health and rise up the ladder if that is your goal. But do keep in mind, that lab work can at times become tedious and repetitive, specially with potable water labs.

You are one step ahead in that you already have a degree. Getting your foot in the door may mean that you may have to look elsewhere other than your current area. Here is one example of an aggressive person. One time we had a person call our Human Resources department telling them that they would be willing to volunteer (1 -2 days a week for about 8 hours) as a lab assistant just so that they could get some experience so that when they applied for a position they could write on the application that they had some experience. Some agencies do have internships for those that are going through school. Just call nearby agencies and start enquiring! You'll lose nothing and gain everything.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 16:38:46 GMT

Thanks for your replies guys!

Dvant (8/3/2007)

I would be looking at smaller operations if you want to get experience. Many smaller operations need you to be water, wastewater, collections, and distribution certified.
Often smaller places are swamped and are more than happy to let you take a little work off the bosses plate.
You don't get to be the King of Crap without spending time in the poo!

Mark

Yeah, you are right Mark. I noticed there was an opening in small town that is growing & the position required the person to be both lab & customer compliance/permitting duties.

Victor (8/3/2007)

For what it's worth it, here is my take. You'll do yourself a greater service by working as a chemist, lab technician, biologist, microbiologist at a wastewater treatment plant. You'll make quite a bit more money than an operator, chief operator (if microbiologist, biologist, chemist) plus you'll be practicing what you learned in college. There are some positions (a few of them) where you can actually go scuba diving and sample lakes, dams, rivers, for local fauna and flora. The smaller plants will also allow you to work in the lab as well as operate the plant. Something to think about.

Yeah, I hear ya Victor. The ultimate goal is to have a meaningful job that I enjoy and by reading the content from your post history, I can definitely say that the depth of theory & troubleshooting wastewater systems sounds fun which is a good thing. I really liked the way Mark put it when he said, "You don't get to be the King of Crap without spending time in the poo!" HAHA! I just need to find a job, make connections and move into a lab position as it opens because there definitely is competition for these positions and I don't really stand a chance without an internship or job experience at any level. I took an exam for a chemist position at a plant and out of the 18 people there, there was only 1 other person at my age (21-25) while the other people were in their 30's.

Can you tell me more about your work history in water quality/microbiology? Where did you start out of college, how did you end up doing what your doing currently and where do you see yourself in a few more years (if not retiring).

BTW, I really liked the database you made.

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Victor — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 21:25:26 GMT

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Dvant — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:45:41 GMT

I would be looking at smaller operations if you want to get experience. Many smaller operations need you to be water, wastewater, collections, and distribution certified. Plus run a loader on snow days, inspect water and sewer installations, and review building plans as they pertain to water and wastewater issues.

Often smaller places are swamped and are more than happy to let you take a little work off the bosses plate.

You don't get to be the King of Crap without spending time in the poo!

Mark

RE: Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:45:20 GMT

I am in the San Francisco Bay Area of California by the way..

Job suggestions for a recent grad

Siccished — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 02:08:11 GMT

I just graduated with a B.S. in Biology and I didn't have opportunity to take much environmental classes outside of Biology & Microbiology because the school didnt offer much, so I did my own work with wastewater with the help of my advisor. Needless to say I'm interested in working in the environmental field of water quality.

I have been looking for jobs like crazy & I have noticed that in the public sector, the easiest avenue for landing a gig is through applying as an OIT or Grade 1 Operator. SO, I have just taken the CWEA grade 1 exam (too easy), applied to a few places out in and out of my area (would relocate) and hopefully soon I may have an interview. I've also applied to two waste discharge compliance jobs, but they both require 1 year related experience so I don't think I'm looking too good there, even though I know somebody with the same position that can give me a good reference.. I've also applied to an internship through my city even though I needed to re-register for school as a requirement for being eligible (GIS class ;-) ).

Are there any other positions within the city/state/fed that hire for environmental related jobs (water) which require little to no experience with an education? Working as a wastewater operator sounds like fun because plants require that you control a bio-machine to get an acceptable effluent, but it is to my understanding that Grade I operators are mainly on the operations/grunt work side of things which is also okay, but working on a changing project sounds more satisfying (grade III).

My short term goal is just to get as much experience in the water field as possible, start exploring the events from organizations like WEF+CWEA and use the city employment benefits for tuition reimbursement so I can keep going to school & possibly pursuing a Masters degree or just taking a handful of ENV classes.. Can anybody give some kind of father-to-son or mentor type of suggestions for a 23 year old MAN like myself?