How can I apply for Post Doc in Mechanical Engineering?

As an engineering Ph.D. is it better to work in industry or academia?

• I have been an engineering post-doc for 2 years now and am contemplating my next move. I'd like to be an assistant professor at a small university (Endowment between $50-100 million), but I am afraid I will have huge difficulties obtaining any type of funding. I'd like to work in industry if the position was just right, but then I'd be afraid of being bored or feeling stuck in that position. When I interviewed for industry positions 2 years ago, I was a little wary of being a part of any of those companies (not sure if that's lack of confidence or the many unknowns associated with working some where new). Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

• Answer:

  I have a bachelor's degree and I am working at Intel, but I am going to resign soon to work on a Ph.D in electrical engineering. Intel hires loads of Ph.D's in electrical, chemical, computer and materials engineering, and they are all very mobile. All the ones I have talked to have moved between several functional areas and vastly different jobs, from process engineering to yield to R&D to management to internal software and everywhere in between. My advice to you is to talk to the people who interview you and ask where they've been and where they think they would like to end up. It will not only reveal how mobile people are in the company, but it will also probably reflect favorably on you in the interview.