Ask HN: I'm a Mech Engineer where can I find a job in a Tech Startup?
Lately I've been interested in the grassroots startup community and have considered making the switch from my regular 9 to 5 job as a Mech Design Engineer to join a Tech Startup. However, for some reason I cannot code my way out of a brown paper bag to save my own life (aka I'm not an expert, but can find my way around in the codes). I've attended Lean Startup Machine, Startup Weekend, Meetups and have even founded my own Tech company (which failed). Clearly I have some knowledge of the startup environment and can bring to the table business skills, startup experience and an extensive background in the research environment. But for some reason I cannot find a startup who's willing to hire someone without a background in software engineering. Where are some places that I can find a job? I hate the paper pushing in my 9-5 job, am I doomed forever?
2 comments
I'm a design engineering undergrad and last summer had a job with a startup porting one of their iOS apps to Android. I had Android experience as I built a couple of calculators to be used in class.
So my advice is build something small that you can use as a bargaining chip then approach as many startups as you can, telling them you need more experience and you'd like to help out on any projects they have going.
So my advice is build something small that you can use as a bargaining chip then approach as many startups as you can, telling them you need more experience and you'd like to help out on any projects they have going.
Thanks for the advice, that's a really good start.
I might suggest looking in a startup space that your Mech Engineering background would prove to be a valuable asset. Not sure if that would be a startup with a physical product.