Job Search Update

After talking to various family members at different times throughout this process we thought we could use the family website to post an update on how things are going and where things are with each interested or potentially interested party. It is getting posted here as part of our efforts at making a history and because sometime, at some point we will want to remember how it went and won't be able to recall...


Parker Hannifin, located in Cleveland, OH-Parker is the company that sponsored Chris' MS project and we knew that they would probably make an offer whenever he finished with his graduate schooling, be it after his MS or PhD. He spoke with them in February and they provided a basic job description and said they were willing to make an offer now (meaning the end of March or beginning of April) or later (meaning June). They also invited Chris and I to make a site visit and for Chris to have some on-site interviews. Chris opted for "now" and we picked a weekend to do the site visit. We rented a car and went to Cleveland last weekend (at their generous expense:). The interviews went well and they resolved several of the concerns that we had from the original job description provided in February. However, we didn't love Cleveland, the amount of travel is still a concern and Chris doesn't feel a lot of excitement about the job. We expect them to make an offer (and that it will be very competitive) in the next few weeks.



Bucyrus, located in Milwaukee, WI-Bucyrus is a company that makes HUGE mining shovels and other mining equipment. They recently purchased a line of mining equipment and products from Terex. We found a job listing on the job board at Purdue that seemed to be right up Chris' alley. Chris applied online and felt it was a little like dropping your resume somewhere in the middle of the universe and hoping someone found it and read it:) Needless to say we were surprised when Chris was contacted a couple of days later by a contract HR lady about the job. That initial contact was positive but stalled out when they decided that they really wanted to fill the position sooner rather than later and Chris wouldn't be available. They concluded this news with a " but talk to us before you accept anything else kind" statement.

The HR lady called Chris about two weeks ago to re-establish contact and see how things were going. Chris said "fine, I haven't finished yet." They are still interested in Chris because of his qualifications and the lack of others qualified. While they would like to have him sooner they have since seemed to realize that there aren't very many, if any, others who can do what Chris does and that they may just have to wait for him. The next day an engineer from the company called for a phone interview that went really, really well. Chris was excited about the project and really enjoyed speaking with the man (with whom he would be working if he were offered and accepted a job there). They have since set up an afternoon of on-site interviews for the the 9th of April.



Moog, headquartered near Buffalo, NY-Moog is a company that makes the best of the best. Since finding out about them Chris always knew that he would try for a job with them. The recession hit them too and when a man from the company visited the MAHA lab (Chris' lab) last Octoberish (I think) and Chris made noises about working for them the man put him off-they weren't hiring. Assuming that would still be case, Chris still sent a cover letter and resume to the man as part of his "due diligence" in finding a job. Surprisingly, the man responded quickly and thanked Chris for his interest and said that depending on how their first quarter this year goes they may be in a position to hire. He concluded with a "wait until April or let us know before you accept anything else." That is where it is now, but April is fast approaching as well as having a job offer on the table so Chris will probably be contacting them in a couple of weeks.



Sturman Industries, located in Woodland Park, CO (near Colorado Springs)-Sturman is a small technology development company started by a husband/wife team. Chris met the wife in Finland a few years ago and really liked everything he heard about the company and what they were doing. About a year ago, Monika, Chris' advisor, went to visit and tour their facility. She LOVED it and pretty much thinks they are the best-best people, best facilities, best results, etc. (When Chris talked to her about who he should try and contact about jobs she pretty much told him to forget everyone but Moog and Sturman:) Chris sent a cover letter and resume to the wife/president of Sturman and copied the HR person off their website. The HR person emailed back promptly that they were not hiring and thank you for your interest. This was about what we expected as we knew that they weren't hiring either. However, a few days later (earlier this week) Carol Sturman emails Chris back and said she might be in a position to hire if some funding comes through and maybe they can talk at a conference she will be attending that is being held at Purdue in June. Chris thanked her for time, let her know he would be at the conference but would probably be committed by June. She responded quickly, asking about where in the process he was with other opportunities and when did he think that he would be committed. He updated her and she responded yet again saying that she may know more by May and "talk to me before you commit to anything else."



Caterpillar, located in Peoria, IL-Chris contacted a guy he had met through a project at the lab with a resume and cover letter. The man responded quickly and set up a preliminary interview with Chris over the phone. A few days later he received an invitation for a site interview.



We feel VERY fortunate that there are companies interested in Chris and his skills. Definitely a blessing! And one that we are super aware of too, with lots of friends and acquaintances looking and looking without a lot of luck.