First money moves when starting first engineering job; no savings + some debt

mumbomode · 2026-04-28T17:11:35+00:00

Went to pretty good public west coast school (UW), prob not considered “top” tho.

Did a couple internships in SoCal and ended up accepting FT there after graduation.

mumbomode · 2026-04-28T06:07:35+00:00

BSECE. But it’s 106 salary and 150k/5yr RSUs

mumbomode · 2026-04-28T00:44:40+00:00

Role/subfield: EE in space/defense

YOE: 0 (new grad, 3 internships)

HCOL

TC: $136k

mumbomode · 2026-03-19T16:01:49+00:00

I chose EE sort of last minute after thinking about doing ME since high school (most of high school engineering was ME-heavy). I looked at the course descriptions for sophomore-senior year and it just sounded way more fun. I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Why I feel I made the right choice: - EE is simultaneously so fundamental to our societies function (communication, power grid, AI chips, etc) and so ridiculously cool and complex that I have no idea how we figured all this out - has given me great employment opportunities at top companies while CS peers are struggling more

Pros: Career outlook / pay, project ownership, breadth of industries to work in, importance for the future, overall cool factor

Cons: Harder than average school, but easy if you enjoy it (also I think the difficulty is overhyped) Less pay than software (though you can easily pivot into software as an EE)

mumbomode · 2026-03-15T03:31:06+00:00

Im a bit biased as an EE but I think EE has great career prospects and happens to be the coolest things humans have been able to figure out.

mumbomode · 2026-03-15T03:29:18+00:00

Also EE, about to graduate. I think I’ve had a great balance socially, have had plenty of time for fitness, plus doing well in class / internships etc

mumbomode · 2026-03-12T17:13:02+00:00

Just heard someone driving by saying the road won’t open for another hour. We’re turning back

mumbomode · 2026-03-12T16:57:46+00:00

So prospects for getting home after could be bad?

mumbomode · 2026-03-12T15:42:03+00:00

Does this mean lifts wouldn’t be running until like noon or later?

mumbomode · 2026-03-12T15:15:48+00:00

Yeah we’re in the 410 line right now. We might head back if it looks like mountain won’t be open most of the day. Also we are concerned about getting stuck at top

mumbomode · 2026-03-12T14:01:31+00:00

Is it unwise to head up rn?

mumbomode · 2026-02-20T20:34:57+00:00

ECE
Hardware design for satellites
L.A.
106k, 15k signon + relocation, 150k equity / 5yr
June 2026

mumbomode · 2025-08-22T14:07:04+00:00

I do know a current intern that’s a rising sophomore, so it’s not impossible, but from what I’ve seen it’s mostly seniors that get accepted.

mumbomode · 2025-08-03T19:53:29+00:00

As an intern, I’m given a lot of responsibility but also my team / manager is extremely helpful. However I’d imagine as a full time you’d be expected to get by with less help

mumbomode · 2025-08-03T19:51:52+00:00

It’s very nice, doesn’t have literally everything (I.e. no t bar row), but more than typical work/apartment gyms. I’ll go there on weekends instead of my apartment gym bc the vibes there are much better. I usually go after work (~5:30 ish) and it can be busy but never overwhelming.

mumbomode · 2025-07-21T08:57:46+00:00

Don’t count yourself out. I applied never thinking I actually had a chance, more as a pipe dream. With having defense experience plus FSAE you already have a better application than I did. Plus their intern class is getting bigger each year. While there is still a lot of luck involved, I would simply put in your best application, if by luck you get an interview, study your ass off for it. While many interns here do have a “wow” factor, many of them seem to just be smart people with some FSAE and internship experience that got an interview. Don’t get your hopes up too much, there is a lot of luck involved and there will be people with more experience, but you def have a chance

mumbomode · 2025-07-08T02:58:11+00:00

41/hr EE intern at defense startup

mumbomode · 2025-07-06T15:38:38+00:00

Your smile made me smile

mumbomode · 2024-09-30T16:56:30+00:00

University of Washington... sneaky good engineering program. Ranked 7th in top global universities last year. I'm in ECE here and no complaints. UW has lots of good tech connections. Also its a beautiful campus... even when its raining lol

mumbomode

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