Entry level RF Engineering jobsearch blues - RF Cafe Forums

RF Cafe Forums closed its virtual doors in late 2012 mainly due to other social media platforms dominating public commenting venues. RF Cafe Forums began sometime around August of 2003 and was quite well-attended for many years. By 2012, Facebook and Twitter were overwhelmingly dominating online personal interaction, and RF Cafe Forums activity dropped off precipitously. Regardless, there are still lots of great posts in the archive that ware worth looking at. Below are the old forum threads, including responses to the original posts. Here is the full original RF Cafe Forums on Archive.org

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vtalumn

Post subject: Entry level RF Engineering jobsearch blues Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:43 am

Lieutenant

Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:19 am

Posts: 2

Location: Boulder, CO

I'm a recent BSEE from Virginia Tech and I'm slowly starting to realize that the job market wasn't quite wht I was hoping it was.

Does anyone have any tips on how to conduct a job search for an entry level RF engineering position?

I have done RF projects using ADS, Matlab, Spice, and several other industry tools.

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Curtis Crow

Post subject: Shooting ourselves in the foot?Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:26 am

Captain

Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 1:27 pm

Posts: 7

Seems to me we're eating the seed corn.

Seasoned engineers are being worked to death just to keep their jobs, and no resources are being allocated to train up replacement engineers. A lot are leaving the profession for real estate, lateral transfers into highschool teaching, or just about anything except engineering.

If you really dig into the situation, my guess is that you'll find all the new grad training is being done in the offshore offices of American companies. If you're looking to get into RFIC design, fugeddaboutit. There's no room at the inn.

The world has changed. Probably the best bet is to jump on the defense contractor bandwagon like in the old days. Even so, the contract pricing/spending pressures are so bad there any more that there's not much money left over for tolerating a learning curve.

That's my 2 cents worth. Any comments?

....................... Curtis C.

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Itay

Post subject: Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:34 am

Hi,

Yes times have changed and not for the good side. Yet the high-tech industry is like a sinusoidal wave, there are times it is on the positive peak like few years ago, and now we are on the negative peak. So don't give up from this low situation we can only get higher and better, time will tell.

Cheers

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vtalumn

Post subject: oh wellPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:02 pm

Lieutenant

Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:19 am

Posts: 2

Location: Boulder, CO

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm just gonna flood the big companies with resumes and cover letters until something works out. I figure its only a matter of time.....

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Guest

Post subject: hello..Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 3:10 am

sending resumes is a waste of time right now.

they are getting hundreds of them.

you need to differentiate yourself, what did you do that was different ?

what do you have to offer, and so on.

you need to find names from journals, conferences and get your resume in the face of people and managers that are doing the hiring and doing what is needed to get you hired.

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Rod

Post subject: RFMDPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 4:04 pm

Have you applied at RFMD?

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rfmd

Post subject: rfmd???Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:19 pm

How anybody feel about RFMD?

Good or Bad!

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sushmita

Post subject: Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:29 pm

hi

i suggest u focus on jobs using keywords on dice.com It seems to be working for a lot of people. Try calling ppl whose numbers are listed. Be ready to move to anyplace in the US. Most of the RF jobs seem to be in the California region if u're looking at private companies. But if you are a citizen your best bet is to apply to Lockheed Martin. They usually snatch up ppl in RF pretty soon. Most citizens have good work opportunitiesin the defense companies. Make sure u list out all your projects in your resume too. You just need to sell each and ever project u've done and lab experience helps. The job market is definitely getting better now but they don't usualy give out design jobs to entry level ppl. A better bet is to apply for test positions and start from scratch. I hope that helped.

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reinha28

Post subject: job opportunitiesPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:27 pm

Lieutenant

Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:25 pm

Posts: 1

Have you found a job yet? I work for ARINC in Annapolis, MD. A lot of our work is in antenna modeling and analysis and we're always looking for qualified young engineers to bring on board.

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boulder_rf_dude

Post subject: Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:03 pm

It's like anything else, you have to hustle. The jobs are out there, but you need to have a well written resume and cover letter.

Then you have to research all of the RF companies out there and send them resumes. You should send out at least 3 resumes a day.

It's all about the hustle. You have to sell yourself. Don't expect the doors of opportunity open up - just because you have a degree.

You have to work - just to find work. Nothin' is easy my friend.

Research, research, research....

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guest

Post subject: I hear you bro.Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 8:38 pm

I hear you bro. I was supposed to graduate in May 2004 and I could not fing a job. I was lucky I postponed graduation and now I am graduating in December and STILL CAN NOT find a job. times are difficult no matter who you are.

I thought that RF engineering was like classic rock song, some one made it and it is played everywhere at all times and it never bothes anyone.... Good times I thought.... it was not the case. It turns out that RF engineering is only played by some and kareoked by many. and for people like me... I can not even get to the bar... semms like I do no not look like 21.

Anyhow, my hope is big, I still have 1 month and I am ready to apply rf principles to other things.... "once a pro never a begginer" I said to myself. And the lucky company that hires me... I will work like i do not care for the money. because I have other choice. ...

Anyways, I wish you the best. And you know what they say...

"work, as if you do not need the money....

Love, like you have never been hurted....

Dance, like no one is watching....

Try to keep your job.... 'cos you may not find another one."

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Guest

Post subject: Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:31 pm

Hi,

same situation with me folks - I've got a job, but it's nothing like RF eng, hope to graduate in one year and don't see many opportunities.

However, can anyone tell what os the situation in Europe? Cause I live in a EU country and wonder, how the situation looks down here.

Best wishes

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Geheimnis_Mann

Post subject: Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 7:33 am

Folks from Boulder,

If u guys want to find a job, and are in the boulder area, I strongly suggest to take a masters in CU, in this field. They have the some of the best researchers in the microwave antenna & ckts, and lots of connections in the industry. It takes one year and half , and it is really good for you resume.

good luck for us all

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bentek

Post subject: EmploymentPosted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:39 am

Check out Lockheed/Martin. They are looking for engineers and technicians.

Hope this helps!

Posted  11/12/2012