INSIDE HUNT: What Should New Graduates Look for in an Engineering & Design Firm?
Your first job is more than a starting salary. It’s the beginning of your career.
Graduating from college is a big accomplishment. But once the excitement of graduation starts to settle in, there’s another important decision ahead: Where do you want to begin your career?
For engineers, architects, surveyors, landscape architects, and other professionals entering the A/E industry, your first job can have a lasting impact on the skills you develop, the projects you work on, and the professional you become.
So, when you're comparing opportunities, don't just look at the job title or starting salary. Look at the bigger picture.
1. Look for a Firm Where You Can Learn
Your first few years are about building a foundation.
Look for a firm where experienced professionals are willing to teach, answer questions, and give you opportunities to take on new challenges. The best first job isn't necessarily the one where you know everything on day one. It's the one where you'll continue learning every day.
Ask questions during an interview:
Who will I work with?
Will I have access to experienced professionals?
How will I be trained?
Will I have opportunities to work on different types of projects?
What does professional development look like?
A strong learning environment can help turn what you learned in the classroom into real-world experience.
2. Look for Real Project Experience
There's a big difference between learning about a project and actually being part of one.
Find out what kind of work you'll be doing. Will you be sitting on the sidelines, or will you have the opportunity to contribute?
At HUNT, early-career professionals have the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers, architects, surveyors, and other professionals on projects that have a real impact on communities.
From schools and municipal facilities to infrastructure, transportation, environmental projects, and community development, the work you do early in your career can give you experience that lasts well beyond your first job.
3. Look Beyond Your Own Discipline
One of the advantages of working at a multidisciplinary firm is being surrounded by people who approach projects from different perspectives.
An engineer may work with an architect. An architect may work with a surveyor. A surveyor may work alongside environmental professionals. Each discipline brings a different perspective to the table.
That collaboration can make you better at what you do.
It also gives you the opportunity to understand how projects come together from concept and planning through design and construction.
4. Find a Place Where Your Work Matters
Your first job shouldn't just be about gaining experience. It should be about gaining experience doing something meaningful.
Think about the projects you'll be working on and who will benefit from them.
Will you help design a school where students will learn? Improve a community's infrastructure? Help a municipality plan for the future? Design a space where people will work, gather, or grow?
At HUNT, Build What Matters isn't just a campaign line. It's about the work our people do every day to help build stronger communities.
5. Look for Opportunities to Grow
You aren't just looking for your first job. You're starting a career.
Ask where the firm sees you five years from now.
Will you have opportunities to earn professional certifications and licenses? Take on greater responsibility? Lead projects? Develop relationships with clients? Explore different areas of your profession?
A good employer should be interested in where you want to go—not just what you can do today.
6. Pay Attention to the People
This may be one of the most important things to consider.
You'll spend a lot of your time with the people you work with. Pay attention to how they interact with each other during your interview and visit the office if you can.
Do people seem approachable? Do employees collaborate? Do they seem proud of the work they're doing?
Culture isn't something you can fully understand from a job posting. Sometimes, you need to meet the people who could become your future colleagues.
7. Don't Be Afraid to Ask About Internships
If you're still in college, don't wait until graduation to start thinking about your career.
An internship can give you something a classroom can't: experience.
You'll get to see how projects are developed, how teams collaborate, and what working in your chosen profession is really like.
Just as importantly, an internship gives you a chance to evaluate the company. You're interviewing them, too.
Ask yourself: Can I see myself starting my career here?
8. Look for a Firm That's Investing in the Future
The A/E industry is changing. Technology, sustainability, new regulations, evolving client expectations, and new ways of designing and delivering projects are shaping the future of the profession.
Look for a firm that is willing to invest in its people and embrace what's next.
You want to start your career somewhere that isn't standing still.
Your First Job Is the Start of Something Bigger
There are plenty of engineering, architecture, surveying, and design firms to choose from. The right one for you will depend on what you want from your career. But don't make your decision based on a job description alone.
Look for a place where you can learn, contribute, collaborate, grow, and do work that matters.
At HUNT, we believe great projects start with great people. Whether you're an engineering graduate, aspiring architect, surveyor, landscape architect, technology professional—or a student looking for your first internship—we're looking for people who want to build their careers while helping build stronger communities.
Build What Matters. Build Your Career with HUNT.
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