English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

I was pretty picky about selecting a job for this project, so I was plenty frustrated while poking around the many job search websites listed in the assignment. This is especially true since I’m executing my third internship with the same company and they’ll most likely offer me a job when I’m done; the project description does say if you have a job you should look for one that would be an improvement.

But as soon as I found this one one and read the description I was sold.

The job ad is for a Project Engineering position at L-3 Communications’ Cincinnati Electronics Division.

L-3 is a defense contractor that specializes in communications, security and surveillance. After plugging the name into a Google News search, I found a couple of interesting tidbits. As it turns out, another division of L-3 was just awarded a $17 million contract on Tuesday. Also, the $3,150 L-3 Guardian is evidently one leading option for President Barack Obama as he looks for a souped-up secure replacement for his beloved Blackberry. So it looks like L-3 is a pretty eminent company.

Specifically, the Cincinnati Electronics Division specializes in infrared products and services, environmental services and space electronics (which piques my interest even more given that I'm considering a minor in Astronomy).

The job description calls for:

• A BS in Mechanical (that’s me), Electrical or Systems Engineering
• 5 years of project engineering experience (desired, not required)
• Coop experience (would be helpful)
• “Technical knowledge that would allow contribution to design, development, and sustaining support for thermal imaging systems” (desired)
• U.S. Citizenship (for security clearance)

Honestly, I would have to spit my best game to get this job. But that’s what I was going for (remember: improvement). This position matches my interests and my experiences, and I think if L-3's HR people were to give me an honest look, they would find that I am well-qualified.

First of all, the job opening is for a project engineer. Right now, I’m a “field engineering intern.” In my current organization a field engineer works under the Project Engineer. I’ve worked in that capacity on two projects. So even though I don’t have 5 years of experience, I do have what could be considered a couple coop-like experiences doing project engineering work. In addition, my background as a Purdue Engineer has given me that technical knowledge they are looking for, and it's all relatively fresh in my mind. Specifically, in the fall I took a Systems and Measurements course, where we learned about digital measurement methodology and design. My group used an infrared sensor for a project in which we built a bike speedometer, which is only one of a handful of design projects I'll have under my belt by the time I graduate.

Another experience that makes me particularly qualified for this position is the job I’m working on right now, which is a Department of Defense Contract. I expect that in addition to learning about the duties of a project engineer and about managing contracted work, I will be learning specifically about working on a government contract. That has to be a stand-out experience from the perspective of a hiring defense contractor.

Even if I step back form the position listed and look at the company in general, I think working for L-3 Cincinnati Electronics would be a natural progression in my career from what I'm doing now. Manufacturing engineering and design both appeal to me, being a Mechanical Engineer, but my experience is in contract project engineering. As a defense contractor, part of what L-3 does is design and manufacture commissioned products under contract. The job description even mentions interfacing with manufacturing and quality control, so I would expect to be exposed to those different areas of engineering. It could become a bridge for me, too, if I were to decide I want to transition into a different engineering focus.

Now as far as career progression is concerned, it would be hard for me to tell based on what I know. However, I managed to find and check out the L-3’s overall 2007 annual report (the most recent available, available on the company's website, which says L-3 had 12% growth 2 years ago. I can’t speak for L-3, but I am working for a contractor that is experiencing aggressive growth and expansion, and in my experience that translates into more corporate subdivisions, more management levels and hence more upward mobility. That's very important to me, especially since project engineering is typically a job where you can demonstrate management skills.

On top of all that, the job is in Cincinnati, where I'm from. And even though I really value the experience of living in different locations, I'd love the chance to start a career at home. (Maybe I'm just homesick; I am still adjusting to my new location here on the West Coast.)

Finding this job ad has gotten me excited for this project. My only worry is that my graduation is too far off and I'll end up missing the opportunity.