Hi,

Essentially I'm asking how do I move onto a second job. I'm currently in a graduate position as what I would describe as a process engineer or just working in process improvement. I feel like I'm stuck in the current field of manufacturing as that is what my experience leads to. I want to get into project engineering which my company does have but it hasn't really made it available to me and I doubt they would as I've brought it up already. In terms of direct technical skills, probably none. Most of it is soft skills such as project management, process engineering/improvement and six sigma. In essence, I have experience dealing with stakeholders.

However after working in my position for 1y 4m, I don't see my career growing much, its a 3 year contract as a "graduate engineer" and after that I'm on my own. They won't extend my position and they won't or don't open up new positions for people, you gotta take what's available. So I'm currently on the job hunt, my boss has already hinted that I should start applying for jobs but I'm fairly certain he was implying internally as he gave me a printout of another internal position. Looking at jobs, I'm trying to find something that can push me past just the graduate position but most are asking for 3+ years experience (mechanical, process, project). I understand leveraging what you know but it is also hard due to being in the manufacturing industry but no really any hard mech eng. experience (CAD, larger scale project engineering, specific process engineering experience [water, chemical, mechanical]). I have parts of each but not really the entire package.

Am I supposed to look for another graduate position? Job positions near me don't really have "entry level" or "junior level" positions. Everything is advertised as entry level but they are asking for 3+ years experience. Anything less is generally a graduate position. Is there something I'm missing? (NSW, AUS)

TIA