George DeWitt

  • Safety and Crashworthiness Engineer at Toyota

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Where do you work now?
I currently work for Toyota in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a Safety and Crashworthiness Engineer.

How was the job search? Was it easier or tougher than you expected to get a job?
The job search was difficult. It required a lot more time and patience than I originally expected.

What tips do you have for seniors who will be looking for a job? For students looking for an internship?
Start early! Meet with a career advisor as soon as you can (before your senior year if possible). The sooner you are aware of what the job search involves, the better prepared you will be.

To students looking for internships: it’s never too early to get an internship. I made the mistake of thinking companies only want juniors for interns, and avoided applying to my dream companies until late. Now that I’m in industry, I realize that companies (such as Toyota) are seeking freshman and sophomores for competitive internship positions. Build your resume, and apply, apply, apply (especially to big companies). Internship experience is one of the best things you can add to your resume, and many companies prefer hiring previous interns over other applicants (i.e. most of my coworkers had previous internships at my company).

If you could change one thing about your time at NYU Tandon, what would you do differently knowing what you know now?
I would’ve done more projects and learned how to program in Python (or a similar language). Team projects (such as NYU Baja) are excellent hands on experience and something companies look for. Programming skills (as a Mechanical Engineer, or any type of engineer) is very important. It’s a great way to save time and effort in repetitive computer tasks (i.e. Excel macros and data analysis). Plus, being a versatile engineer offers you a competitive advantage.

If your job involved relocation, how tough was it to leave NYC? How do you like your new city?

Relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan was one of the best parts of my job. Leaving NYC was a nice change of pace and I really enjoy living near Ann Arbor. Relocation in general is an excellent way to explore a new place and find your way.