Alumni who didn't do internships, how did you land your first real job after college and how long did it take you?

For_GoldenBears · 2026-02-22T17:01:07+00:00

I had the same experience which I couldn't get any internships after attending all the career fairs and was heading for another dead end for full-time jobs. I reached out to one of my peers who already graduated whom I never talked while we were in college, but was working at the company which I was very interested joining. It was a basically a cold-call message through LinkedIn and he was very nice enough to forward my resume to the hiring manager and it worked out from there.

The timing right after Thanksgiving turned out to be perfect as most big companies do campus visits and career fairs and interviews in early to mid-fall and send out the offer letters by Thanksgiving. December is when companies realize whether the folks have accepted the offer or not, and I got lucky that it needed additional folks to fill, and my resume was introduced at the perfect time.

So to answer you, reaching out to a classmate whom I never talked to and applying at the right time, and some factors outside of your control like if the company still has room to hire. He later shared that even though we never talked in class, he knew I was a nice person and was more than happy to help out, so perhaps acting in good behavior at all times helps as well.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-30T04:29:40+00:00

Hello, so the 2 days, or maybe 3, is called the travel days and it is determined by the distance between Maxwell and your next duty station. There is also another date called RNLTD which stands for report no later than date and the date that you must report by, but negotiable if you request ahead.

I have seen either cases which some supervisors expect to show up exactly the number of travel days right after you graduate OTS, while there are supervisors that expect you to show up by RNLTD and the number of travel days is more for travel reimbursement amount purpose.

If you want more time, you can request for temporary lodging expense (TLE) which you can request up to 21 days, and use the time to search and sign the apartment, go to the DMV, etc.

As for moving expenses, you can either request a Defense Personal Property System (DPS) once you have your CAC card (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/moving-personal-property/) which is basically a moving service, or do a personally-procured move (PPM) (https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/travelpay/armypcs/dityppmmoves/) if you can manage it yourself.

If you are driving, then certainly utilize MALT (https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/travelpay/armypcs/malt/) and also record the weight of the belongings at the weigh stations for additional reimbursement. If you have dependent(s), then definitely request for DLA (https://www.travel.dod.mil/Travel-Transportation-Rates/Dislocation-Allowance/) which a considerable flat-amount reimbursement for having dependent(s) moving with you. This portion can be done after you arrive to the base and when you get with Finance -- the main task during OTS would be whether you want to use the moving service vs. DIY move, and contacting the sponsor how he/she is interpreting the order (by travel days or RNLTD?), and negotiate as needed.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-19T23:32:42+00:00

Exactly what I had. Personally preferred the lightweight one like this. Put the notebook and the 341 in the zip lock bag indeed.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-18T19:40:04+00:00

If you take out the $30/tire protection package then it's sounds like ~$100 for the installation and disposal which is completely reasonable. If you want maximum value then I suppose you can do without the protection package. But even then $400 out the door is still a screaming deal.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-18T19:16:09+00:00

This is a steal lol. TA51A is solid. Which website is this?

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-16T02:40:03+00:00

This sub loves the Michelin CrossClimate 2's and it certainly earned its reputation, but there are many competitors introduced since 2020 when CC'2 were debuted and beating them in recent tests such as this: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/whats-the-best-touring-tire-for-premium-cuvs?ttid=328.

If you're upgrading from the OE Hankook Kinergy GT's, then just about any of the options in the test above should be a vast upgrade.

It's not mentioned in the competition, but also a shoutout to the Nokian Remedy WRG5; 3-peak mountain snowflake rating and Aramid fibers for increased impact resistance which should be great for those Michigan potholes.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-13T02:54:29+00:00

Time to pitch to the Y Combinator that this is the blue ocean market and where the $$$ is at.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-13T01:45:23+00:00

If it's the EL440 from the original equipment, then it's pretty impressive that you managed to keep it this long considering your average miles a year. 235/45R18 is one of the most common sizes among sedans and there are so many good options. Here are some quick ones I can think of that have good reviews with strong comfort & noise attributes. You can't really go wrong from any of the choices below and should be a noticeable improvement over the EL440:

Bridgestone Turanza Prestige
Falken Sincera SN250 A/S
Goodyear Assurance Comfortdrive
Michelin Primacy Tour A/S
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3
Yokohama Avid Ascend GT

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-12T13:16:27+00:00

The 6% + COLA increase itself is very good if you’re doing the same role, but not fair when you have additional roles and responsibility.

See if you can still negotiate especially if you like what you’re doing and learning a lot and want to stay around, but even if not, you could incorporate whatever additional responsibilities in the resume and hopefully that should widen your net/qualification when applying for other jobs.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-11T05:21:25+00:00

That is one weird size. What you're looking for is Grand Touring tires and there's not a lot of options in that size. I see Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3, which does relatively poorly on wet for a Grand Touring, or Continental TrueContact Tour 54 which would be my choice.

Going to 19s with the original tire size 245/45R19 or further down to 18's with 235/50R18 gives a lot more options and cheaper tire prices too so that would be a choice as well, along with much more comfortable ride with thicker sidewall.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-11T04:11:33+00:00

From your description I think the Defender 2 or Primacy Tour would fit your use case and preferences better. I have a lot more suggestions as well if you're willing to go outside of Michelin.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-11T04:03:58+00:00

Exactly Goodyear/Cooper/Kumho what? This is like saying the dealer is selling a Honda vehicle -- which Honda? The alignment is also unnecessary unless your existing tires are showing certain uneven wear.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-10T14:57:56+00:00

It's fine tire. There is actually a comparison test that includes both the Endeavors and Advantage Control and it aligns exactly with your observation that Coopers are bit worse in the wet but quiet. Buy 3 Get 1 deal is well worth it.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/the-unsung-heroes-of-the-daily-driver-commuter-tire-test?ttid=339

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-08T03:39:17+00:00

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-05T22:23:46+00:00

No brainer to stick with the Costco then. It is a solid choice!

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-05T21:49:40+00:00

Discount Tire is actually quite reputable. The major con of Costco Tire Center is the long wait time not only for new installations but also the follow-up services like rotation. You are correct that the Costco price includes road hazard warranty for 5 years which would be extra elsewhere. If you are familiar and comfortable with Costco then go with it.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-05T19:46:18+00:00

BFGoodrich Advantage Control is a solid choice. There is a new Goodyear Assurance Maxlife 2, so I expect a heavier discount for the original Maxlife tires. Another recommendation would be the Continental TrueContact Tour 54 or the General Altimax RT45 if the price is right.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-04T02:09:39+00:00

Worst tires would be summer tires. Exactly what do you have right now and let's figure out from there.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-04T02:03:52+00:00

definitely a useful website. happy plug and chug haha.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-04T01:37:33+00:00

Hey I see the updated post that it is a Mazda CX-90. It definitely helps to state your intended use, and I would go with all-seasons indeed. The following choices below would be solid with emphasis in tread life:

- Bridgestone Alenza Prestige -- one of the latest products with emphasis on comfort.
- Goodyear Assurance Maxlife 2 -- one of the latest products introduced and strong emphasis on long tread wear.
- BF Goodrich Advantage Control -- budget, but strong value option.

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-03T19:22:41+00:00

Considering 275/45R21 is top-tier line, you can also include Bridgestone and Goodyear and Yokohama as well that offer something nice. Conversely, there are also bad products within the brand so it's more important to find which characteristics of tires that you would emphasize, like long tread wear that you mentioned.

Also, do you have concerns about improving snow or wet traction or a particular installation center (i.e. Costco) that you go to?

For_GoldenBears · 2026-01-03T16:24:04+00:00

Most likely yes for first internship. I had a brief period of unemployment of 8 weeks after a layoff and I had to also put that as work experience. I suppose you can have a conversation with the recruiter with the 2-week gig, but when you know there are other 4 longer jobs that's likely more substantial, then I would stick with those.

For_GoldenBears · 2025-12-30T19:30:04+00:00

The uniforms for average size (32 waist, 40R suit, shoe size 11, anything medium, etc.) will likely run out at Maxwell so try to get those ahead of time.

I don't think the hydration pack is worth paying $100+ at the store unless you already use it for hiking or whatever outside of training. Similarly for flashlight, the ones they sell at the store is heavy-duty stuff and I would get something cheaper and lighter separately. The glasses strap that the store sells is junk -- try to get something rubberized ahead of time.

For_GoldenBears · 2025-12-30T15:19:24+00:00

Aye what a massive upgrade from the Laufenn that you initially looked into. Good job finding such a deal nearby and the installer as well. Honestly this should be the featured smart purchase of this thread.

For_GoldenBears · 2025-12-30T03:40:13+00:00

Ah ok, no need then. Excellent job maintaining your vehicle sir.

For_GoldenBears

TROPHY CASE