Salary negotiation for new graduate in this economy

[overst33r]

What has been your experience in salary negotiation when coming out of school? How about in the current state of the economy?

The reason I ask is because I will be graduating in less than two weeks with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. I have been doing co-op for 5 semesters at a manufacturing company that subcontracts with lots of military contractors and does work with major corporations, so business is quite good. I don't really enjoy the work, but I plan on staying there to gain more experience. Since I don't have any other jobs lined up, I need the money too. It isn't the best ethics on my part, but times are hard. :\

A classmate of mine who co-op'ed with me for the same amount of time just got hired by them last semester (he graduated in spring) and he says to expect about $35k which he says is basically a "take it or leave it" offer from them. Now I understand how hard some people are struggling, but are entry level engineers really getting that kind of money? Another lady that works there said she got similar money when she started a few years ago as an EE.

Looking at the lower 25th percentile at Salary.com, bls.gov, etc all say between 45-55k in FL.

My main point(s) of negotiation will be that

-I have been with them for almost 2 years and am fairly versed with anything but new projects.
-My productivity is higher than a new-hire because I've basically been in training for 2 years.
-

I don't expect them to bite, because I'm sure they know how difficult it is for new hires to find jobs, so I will take what they offer me regardless.

So how was everyone else's salary negotiation?

 

[rcpratt]

Jeez, that's a pretty brutal engineer salary.

I had a similar situation (NE), now working at the company that I interned for the previous two summers. I was able to get 5k more because of a competing (identical $, though) offer. The initial offer was, uh, much better than yours though.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

That was a below average starting salary for an engineer when I graduated in 1993.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

I am working on a BS in Mechanical Engineering and reading that makes me feel like I am wasting my time and effort.

I can't help, but what area are you in? Might help others help you.

 

[overst33r]

I am working on a BS in Mechanical Engineering and reading that makes me feel like I am wasting my time and effort.

I can't help, but what area are you in? Might help others help you.

It's very difficult not to feel discouraged. The degree is basically worthless as many other jobs that require MUCH less education/knowledge get paid the same/more. All I can say is that if you're doing it for the money, DON'T. Because there isn't any 🙁

Hell just last week Geico was at the Career Center offering $36,500 as a base salary with ANY BA/BS degree.

I am located in Central FL.

 

[rcpratt]

Frankly, I'd really spend some time looking elsewhere. I know it's bad, but it isn't that bad. If you went to a decent school and are willing to relocate, you'll be able to get at the very least 50k within a few months. There are so many options as an ME.

Obviously I'd take it if you seriously can't find anything else, though. But really, look around the country.

 

[Gibson486]

1. Pay is rather low, but market is tough....especially for people right out of school. Hell, it's tough for people who are 3 years out of school.

2. You work for a company that does a lot of subcontracting. That explain why the pay is low. They do not have the money to waste like Raytheon or Lockheed does.

3. If your friend say it's a take it or leave it offer, then listen to him.

It's your choice if you want to stay with that pay. In my shoes, I would say no. Why? Because you have 2 years experience. I work for a Civil firm and I get paid more than that. Plus, that would barely cover my cost of living when you factor in loans.

If you can use this job to get you more in a year, then it may be worthwhile. Working there for 6 months is better than not working at all. But with 2 years under your belt, how much more could you learn...that is what is important.

 

[Gibson486]

Frankly, I'd really spend some time looking elsewhere. I know it's bad, but it isn't that bad. If you went to a decent school and are willing to relocate, you'll be able to get at the very least 50k within a few months. There are so many options as an ME.

yup...if you are willing to move to Texas....you can strike a good job there.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Listen to Gibson486. That is good advice.

 

[overst33r]

Frankly, I'd really spend some time looking elsewhere. I know it's bad, but it isn't that bad. If you went to a decent school and are willing to relocate, you'll be able to get at the very least 50k within a few months. There are so many options as an ME.

Obviously I'd take it if you seriously can't find anything else, though. But really, look around the country.

yup...if you are willing to move to Texas....you can strike a good job there.

Listen to Gibson486. That is good advice.

I have been applying to the big names and am prepared to relocate. The bulk of my applications were a month ago, well before graduation, but they should still have my applications. I just haven't had any interest.

I will definitely keep my eyes open.

 

[overst33r]

1. Pay is rather low, but market is tough....especially for people right out of school. Hell, it's tough for people who are 3 years out of school.

2. You work for a company that does a lot of subcontracting. That explain why the pay is low. They do not have the money to waste like Raytheon or Lockheed does.

3. If your friend say it's a take it or leave it offer, then listen to him.

It's your choice if you want to stay with that pay. In my shoes, I would say no. Why? Because you have 2 years experience. I work for a Civil firm and I get paid more than that. Plus, that would barely cover my cost of living when you factor in loans.

If you can use this job to get you more in a year, then it may be worthwhile. Working there for 6 months is better than not working at all. But with 2 years under your belt, how much more could you learn...that is what is important.

I don't see a downside in accepting the offer, as I can continue to look for better opportunities while still be able to pay my bills.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Agreed with everything thats been said. If you really want money in entry level engineering jobs, your best bet is being willing to relocate. Also in my experience, there generally isn't any room to negotiate salary for entry level jobs.
<=====unemployed ME

 

[dfuze]

I don't see a downside in accepting the offer, as I can continue to look for better opportunities while still be able to pay my bills.

Not a bad idea to take the job and keep looking though.
Who knows, maybe they offer you a little than he?

 

[soulcougher73]

Jeez, that's a pretty brutal engineer salary.

I had a similar situation (NE), now working at the company that I interned for the previous two summers. I was able to get 5k more because of a competing (identical $, though) offer. The initial offer was, uh, much better than yours though.

For real. Im a drafter making $51k in KS which is a cheaper place to live then FL anyways. I think civil engineers start at about $55k here out of school. Or at least they did when we were hiring 🙂

 

[overst33r]

Not a bad idea to take the job and keep looking though.
Who knows, maybe they offer you a little than he?

Yes I plan on it. The only difference between my friend and I is that he graduated a semester before me. I would say he enjoys the work more than I do though.

For real. Im a drafter making $51k in KS which is a cheaper place to live then FL anyways. I think civil engineers start at about $55k here out of school. Or at least they did when we were hiring 🙂

😱 Sign me up for that!

 

[Imp]

At $35k, you can probably make about as much or more as an administrative assistant/secretary.

I'm a civil tech right now (graduated as engineer) and make more than that.

 

[zephyrprime]

Look for other offers but if you can't find anything else, take the offer. Then in 1 year, look for something else. At that point, even with only 1 year of experience, you will make a lot more money. Try looking in other metro areas also.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Right now experience counts. There are very very few fields nowadays where you get more than scraps your first few years of working (even if as an intern)

 

[Wyndru]

From what I've seen lately, take Salary.com's number and subtract 10-15&#37;. Hopefully you get that these days. Most people that have been out of work for a while and are currently running out of unemployment insurance will be willing to work for far less than average, and employers know that.

 

[edro]

In central Ohio, in the manufacturing industry, a BS in ME or EE should get you around $50k starting out.

I know this second hand from numerous friends.

 

[Gibson486]

you guys are missing an important detail...

He worked at "a manufacturing company that subcontracts with lots of military contractors"

It's a subcontractor. They get jobs through doing bids that are submitted to contractors. It's not the same as Raytheon putting a bid in for the design of the project. That is where the big money is. Instead, this is a company putting a bid in for the implementation and build of the project. Since it's usually govt work, lowest bid wins 90&#37; of the time.

These companies work on strict budgets. There are no 1000 hour budget jobs. Overhead is almost nothing at these jobs. That is why pay is very low.

 

[thepd7]

yup...if you are willing to move to Texas....you can strike a good job there.

Job market is pretty good around here, yes.

OP, $35k is an INSULT for a BS in any sort of Engineering. I started at $58k in Texas, had another offer from Raytheon for $62k. My degree is EE but you should still be in that area (I'm under the average starting salary).

That being said, what is your GPA? A lot of companies aren't hiring anyone under 3.0 or even 3.5 in which case take whatever job you can get.

btw I had zero engineering experience when I graduated (no internships or co-ops), 3.6 GPA.

 

[AVAFREAK182]

What about taking the job while you continue to search for another?

 

[Gigantopithecus]

What about taking the job while you continue to search for another?

Total no-brainer. This. Good luck finding a better job. /thread

 

[Balt]

What about taking the job while you continue to search for another?

Seems like a good idea. If you feel guilty about bailing on them once you get a better job, you can always give them the chance to match your new offer. If they don't, their loss for not offering a competitive salary.