My dilemma is about starting my engineering career, so of course, I am hoping to hear from our many engineers on the board. But I value the opinions of anyone who has something helpful to say, especially with corporate work experience. It's not a real dilemma, as things are still hypothetical as of now. However, should something tangible result from this, I'd like to be prepared.

Recent college grad (BSEE). I interviewed with NASA and Northrop Grumman and have an invitation to set up an interview with Lockheed Martin. Thing is, I was given a formal offer from NASA a week after my interview and accepted. I based my decision on the fact that I was told straight up from the Northrop engineer that regardless of how the interview went, they'd take 1-2 months to get back to me. I wasn't going to pass up on offer already on the table for a prospect in 2 months time.

My question is, how is one to handle this? With my acceptance, should I even be interviewing elsewhere? What if Northrop makes me an offer? In my opinion, I feel it's bad practice to be a flake and leave a job I just started in a month for another company, and I really don't want to burn any bridges.

I am excited at what I'll be working on with the job I was offered and I get to stay pretty much in Orlando if I choose to (I could move 30 mins east, closer to the cape).

The draw for Northrop is being relocated to Redondo Beach, CA where I have plenty of family and friends nearby. I would be working on satellites, which is an interest of mine (did a NASA satellite design project in college), and I assume in time I'll be able to obtain a higher security clearance with Northrop, which would be good for opening up options for me further along in my career.

That being said, I'm still thinking I will decline any offers elsewhere. All those companies will offer competitive salaries, so money is not a factor. The decision would be based on what I want to do more, and as of now, there would be no clear cut winner between Northrop and NASA, except that I was offered a position there first. That's my dilemma -- be loyal to the company that hired me first and not burn bridges, or do what's best for me, etc.

In speaking with a few of my close friends, they seem to think it unwise for me to turn down an offer, no matter how recently I began working for the other company, if it's something I want to do. Part of my dilemma, as I stated, is I'm not entirely sure which company I would prefer at this time.

Ignoring that for now, what is the right COA, or "proper" thing to do, if there is such a thing in this case? Gaining clarity on this issue would obviously determine what I do with the Lockheed interview.

Thanks in advance, any advice is greatly appreciated.

Since you already accepted a job you only have two choices.
1. Bail on further interviews
2. Be up-front with the interviewer. Tell them you accepted a job (needed to support yourself) but wanted to meet them anyway (networking). Tell them you will consider moving companies in the future but need to gain relevant experience. Tell them your real reasons for wanting to work for them and tell them your real concerns about leaving your current job so early on. Be open to moving if they give you a good enough reason.

Engineering video
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=109327&highlight=engineers

I worked for Northrop when I got out of college. I wanted to shoot myself in the face. It's just like any big company -- lots of politics. There are dumb people around every corner and unless you get very lucky or are an utter suck-up it's hard to get noticed. You really have to think about a career at a place like that for the long haul. The people that made all the money were the manager types who were essentially useless and the people that had been there for long periods of time. I don't care how good you are or how smart you are you have to pay your dues there. There are really very few shortcuts.

Without sounding like a tool bag I was involved in very vital aspects of various development teams. They did not pay me very well and when I told them I was leaving I got 3 counter offers including one personally from the head of the entire division. I don't wanna work at a place where I have to be a suck-up or threaten to leave to get treated fairly. You are simply a number to them.

I don't know if NASA will be better or worse. Northrop made me an offer the next day after I interviewed so I don't know what that dude was talking about. Judging from what other people I met said they didn't have to wait that long either.

My advice would be to not leave after a month or so. It looks really bad to prospective employers. And if Northrop offers you a job out of college they will definately offer you a job in a few years after working for NASA.

Saturn, replace Northrop with Bombardier and change the past tense to present and you have my life.

Its a typical situation that most newly grads or even people who is looking for a new job faces. Its totally acceptable to tell NASA that youre still waiting on other possible offers and would like to wait. If they really want you they will wait. Its not wise to accept the offer and then leave when you get a better offer. Each field however big you may think it is, is actually very small. Almost everyone knows everyone else and the last thing you want is to start burning bridges this early in your career....good luck

Saturn, replace Northrop with Bombardier and change the past tense to present and you have my life.
So does that mean I'm living in the future?

Thanks, everyone. Very helpful replies. This pretty much confirms that I'm leaning twds the best choice.

It's not that I'm even settling in any way, either. I got lucky that my first choice so happened to make me an offer first. There was just the idea of relocating to CA where I'd ultimately be closer to friends/family and doing satellite work that was an attractive prospect. Still, I couldn't be more excited to start work and get this whole "dumb, immature college kid" label off me :)

Honestly, though... I feel I've grown a lot in the past few years or so. Shoot, I remember when I struggled w/ Laplace Transforms and had to come to the board for help from fellow engrs, ha. What the heck? It's always nice to look back and see how far we've come, in all facets of life.

Thanks again, everyone!

DarkBrew: Enjoyed the Dilbert clip! :lol:

Recent College Grad here also,


ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS keep your options open and never stop exploring new opportunities.
You have to do whats best for you self, and you don't owe anyone anything unless youve signed a contract to work x amount of time.

I made the mistake of taking the first offer and not even testing the market and I regreted it and have since moved on. I got an interview with the very first job I applied to and was hired before I had a chance to apply to others. When I left the company after only 3 weeks because I found a way better situation, no one was mad at me cause they all understood that I was just doing whats best for me.

hate to go against the grain, but never decline an interview, it make change your life. I worked in the state government right out of college (civil engineer dept. but i'm a aero eng. grad), while working for them I interviewed a couple times through out the summer and in fall accepted a job at lockheed. Politics are involved, but it's part of this career (unless you start your own business or are employeed by a extremely small business.)

It's not for everyone.