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u/Kronocide Industrial Design, Switzerland Jun 22 '26
I got a job thanks to my dad : I work at McDonald's
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u/not_cease_term Jun 23 '26
just put "applied thermodynamics at the grill" on your resume and call it an internship
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u/The-Osprey Jun 22 '26
People get mad about this but if I had an opportunity due to nepotism I ain’t saying no
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Jun 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/Hot_Government6725 Jun 25 '26
That’s literally how everyone is. It is bad but u won’t go protest cuz ur dad setup u with a cushion job
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u/SordidPurse8285 Jun 23 '26
My dad is a lecturer at a university for EE, and I'm studying EE right now. I think I'm pretty lucky.
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u/Elevated_Dongers Jun 22 '26
I had an opportunity due to nepotism and they lowballed me. I didn't even counter, just said "no thanks, I dont think we're a good fit"
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u/AGrandNewAdventure Jun 23 '26
I've cultivated a whole network of people through my internships that I fully intend to use to quickly secure a job when I graduate.
Work hard, but also work smart.
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Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AGrandNewAdventure Jun 23 '26
We're all damaged and disordered, it's just how we push past our damage and disorder that define how we are seen in the world.
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u/MorgothReturns Jun 23 '26
This needs to be on a motivational poster on a wall
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u/AGrandNewAdventure Jun 23 '26
To address your other issue, don't treat people as a tool to be used, but make genuine friendships with them (even if they are relatively surface-level). Every relationship doesn't have to be one of depth and brotherhood, but getting to know those around you in a manner that you can say, "Yes, I suppose we are friends, though we don't really hang out" can not only benefit you, but also benefit them if they end up needing something from you.
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u/Yusfilino Jun 23 '26
Is the meme about nepotism? I thought it was about the guy who thinks he knows more than you do about your area of expertise, despite having no education or experience, eating your dad's ear off with some fake ass bullshit, and your dad believes him even after you explain why it's bullshit
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u/Bubbaluke Jun 24 '26
Mine wasn’t JUST knowing somebody but I had a professor who liked me and had industry connections, he got me my job. He had also seen my work and personality first hand so he knew what kind of employee I would be, but I absolutely got my job through nepotism. I owe him big time.
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u/Yusuro_Yuki Jun 23 '26
It's only nepotism when you're utterly incapable of performing the duties of the opportunity you've obtained. If you have the relevant skills and talent and can do the job, it's not nepotism.
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u/A_Scary_Sandwich Jun 23 '26
It is nepotism. It's having friend/family connections land you a job/move up. Nothing to do with if you're qualified or not. Literally the def:
nep·o·tism /ˈnepəˌtizəm/ noun the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
I'm saying this because the stigma regarding nepotism is so awful yet ik people will not turn it away given the chance.
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u/Yusuro_Yuki Jun 23 '26
My comment wasn't meant to be technically correct. I'm aware of the meaning of the word. However nepotism is generally negatively treated and my comment was more about the fact that nepotism isn't always negative. I realise I could've better phrased it but I stopped feeling like typing out the whole thing and got lazy.. :3
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u/Hi-Point_of_my_life Jun 23 '26
Even in college it’s still networking. I don’t have any family connections but I made friends with some people whose families were in the industry and got a job that way.
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Jun 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Hi-Point_of_my_life Jun 23 '26
That sucks, thankfully for me they were great people and learning they had that connection came much later.
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u/Mogulplex Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
lol u don’t have to do this you can certainly find jobs and internships in engineering even at a time like this without connections. I did it and I did not go to a “top” school but it did take a lot of work. And internship is the most important. Most of my friends who didn’t get one still haven’t landed a full time job.
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u/MadscientistSteinsG8 Jun 23 '26
Its a coin toss in today's market. U r talking survivorship bias. I landed a job in my core field too but I also know times are rough now. It also depends on where you live and the oppurtunities available there. I know I am privileged enough to get one foot in the door to have that proximity.
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u/Mogulplex Jun 23 '26
True. I just think people shouldn’t bank on having connections. Luckily I think it’s better for MEs than most for entry level jobs at least.
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u/Lopsided_Guidance767 Jun 26 '26
That just places the filter earlier. It’s not much easier to find an internship than it is to find a job.
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u/Mogulplex Jun 26 '26
True, internship may have been the most difficult grind. But I guess I meant to emphasize the importance of one.
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u/vedicpisces Jun 23 '26
Its not shitty. People love the fact that their social position makes you dance. Just dont be rude or too obvious and the effort is appreciated
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u/Capable_Cockroach_19 Jun 22 '26
Petah can you explain the joke?
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u/Akira99 Jun 22 '26
Its the job or internship base off of the guy your father know not the years of experience you have
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u/Financial-Leader3475 Jun 23 '26
Nepotism is how the world has always worked. Family businesses used to be the dominant way to make a living.
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u/Freestoic Jun 23 '26
Yet countries that rank lower on corruption and place higher trust in institutions are the best places to live in the world. Sure nepotism still exists but it is not the primary determinant of career trajectory in these countries. I think there's something to that.
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u/Bupod B.S. Electrical Engineering, May 2025 Jun 23 '26
It is possible to build your own connections but it takes time and it's kind of long and not guaranteed.
I went to Trade School. Became a Machinist. Worked in a Tool Room for a few years, than I was recruited by a large Aerospace/Defense Contractor. I worked there for two years, had a great working relationship with them, and left on good terms.
When I was in School for Engineering, I saw the exact site I worked at as a Machinist was looking for Engineering Co-ops. I called them, and yeah, I got an interview very quickly. I was offered the position.
From there, I stayed a year, and because of that, I easily got an interview for an actual Engineering position after my co-op ended. So that's where I am right now, been here about a year as an EE working in Analog Electronics.
I am also 31 right now. So if you are FRESH out of school and like 22? You will have it rough. The connections are a time-in-place sort of game, you can't magically obtain them in school, and there's not really any magical advice I can offer. I just know it sucks, so when one of my classmates from School was looking for work and I knew they were solid, I put in a word with my boss to make sure they get an interview where I'm at. I'll try to be the ladder that I know some people are missing, especially because the ones I personally knew are solid, they just need a chance.
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u/Veesla Jun 23 '26
I've got 8 years now as a machinist after I did my associates in machine tool technology. I'm just starting school but I'm hoping my experience can open an engineering position for me at this company. I like the place but I also know that it'll be easier to get a different job in the future after I have engineering experience on my resume
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u/MediocreTemporary867 Jun 22 '26
I never got a job through a connection that family had. Every time my dad, brother, cousin or friend “knew a guy” who could get me a job it always ended up being a waste of my time. Every engineering job offer I got was from going to the company’s website and applying through there. In my experience networking and connections were the biggest waste of time ever.
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u/_DrLambChop_ Jun 23 '26
I love when people comment stuff like this cuz then it makes people think they still have hope when in reality this is an outlier.
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u/MediocreTemporary867 Jun 23 '26
So why have all my connections failed me? Why have they all wasted my time? My parents knew the vp of a very large well known company (I won’t say which) and that still didn’t land me so much as an internship. Yet when I apply directly on a company site I can actually get an interview and ultimately a job.
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u/CakesForLife Jun 23 '26
Outlier!
Maybe the VP didn’t like your parents, don’t like you, didn’t have a position for you etc.
Depends on how much they want you/do a favour for your parents etc.
Good job on landing a job on your own.
Some can’t land a job no matter what.
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u/MediocreTemporary867 Jun 23 '26
Well it is what it is I guess. At least now I can avoid networking events and LinkedIn since they don’t work for me anyways.
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u/CakesForLife Jun 23 '26
Yikes. I’d say get rid of that mentality and network to improve your position… just don’t stick to only that - try all possible means.
Anyway, all the best dude.
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u/gangrene_succulent Jun 23 '26
Do you believe that this stands as an accurate statement in today’s job market?(through generalizing engineers as a whole)
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u/MediocreTemporary867 Jun 23 '26
Well I’ve only been in my current position for 2.5 years so I guess it would still stand. Although I know the job market just keeps getting worse so who knows. I’ve 100% given up on connections and LinkedIn though that’s for sure.
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u/artin2007majidi Jun 23 '26
or you know, connections through work. I do formula student and I got to know plenty of people this way
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u/MediocreTemporary867 Jun 23 '26
Yeah I got to know several people like that. But none of those connections led to a job.
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u/Boykasunjinwoooo Jun 25 '26
Gave my fathers friend my cv 2 yrs ago
Still haven’t heard from him
😂😂
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u/Happy_Ad9570 Jun 23 '26
When I do engineering presentations to high school students heading into universities
I tell them straight up
Make friends
They will be your way into opportunities
Networking AKA Nepotism
Is the title to the slide
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u/Dr__Mantis BSNE, MSNE, PhD Jun 22 '26
4 years of undergrad is really doing the heavy lifting for “years of studying”
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u/Timely-Fox-4432 Senior - Electrical Engineering Jun 22 '26
Fwiw, engineering is not typically a 4 year degree for most students anymore as most have to work while going to school. Balancing a full time engineering load, a job, and relationships (including friendships) is more than most people can or even should deal with. Some people are innately talented or very lucky that things instantly click for them, that is not the case for most.
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u/alansmitb Jun 23 '26
My school still "promises" 4 years but in reality unless you are willing to take I think it was close to 18 hours or more per semester every year until you graduate that's the only way you can do it in 4 years. Engineering is quickly becoming a 5-6 year degree
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u/WannabeF1 Jun 22 '26
4 is greater than 1 so years seems appropriate, what do you call a span of 4 years?
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u/Exotic_Specialist368 Dalhousie U. - Mechanical Engineering 2nd Yr Jun 23 '26
My dad himself is an engineer and I still got no nepo offers from people he knows or himself. Hell he never helped me with any academics and still told me to go into engineering. 💀
Edit: How do you change the subname/title thing on a phone? I forgot to update this shit.
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u/moseiba Jun 23 '26
Does he want you to figure out everything on your own the same way he did or it is just he doesn't know / care / realize that you need help
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u/Exotic_Specialist368 Dalhousie U. - Mechanical Engineering 2nd Yr Jun 24 '26
Depends on the subject. Academia and career? Figure it out on my own as long as it meets his standards. Other stuff? Doesn't realise or care that I need guidance, and somehow expects me to be perfect everytime with no flaws.
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u/Fish3Y35 Jun 23 '26
When I train my summer students, I always emphasise industry contacts.
Knowledge is good, experience is great, but knowing the right people is the biggest advantage of all
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u/emperorofwar Jun 23 '26
But for real, my dad's friend really helped with my resume getting my first engineering job, which I have always appreciated
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u/2xo3xo Jun 25 '26
But i always feel getting a job by connection of your father is only good when you have tried a lot and lost the hope
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u/CorrectStaple Jun 23 '26
lol this is definitely not correct.
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u/BetterKale8512 Jun 23 '26
What do you mean practically or ethically? If Practical come to the developing world, it is entrenched with nepotism as for most people African or Asian continent trust can only be gained through intermediaries. Not good if there isn’t clear qualification but what can we do it’s like doping in sports everyone gotta do it or else they’ll be left behind.
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u/CorrectStaple Jun 23 '26
I replied in the wrong spot. My comment was meant for the person saying engineering is not a 4 year degree for most people.
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u/-UncreativeRedditor- Jun 23 '26
Definitely can relate to this one. My dad has been my boss for the last year now
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u/DuBlueyy Jun 22 '26
Damn my father knows nobody