@billybob: We're talking about two separate things here: Engineering vs. IT. IT grads may have a computer science degree, but Caterpillar has always held IT to not be a "core" competency, and as such, does not value IT as much as Mechanical and Design-type engineers.Caterpillar does offer competitive compensation, for the few people that actually get hired direct. Agency and Contract employees are caught in a price war to the bottom by their respective companies. Bill rates vary wildly depending on the contract companies, which of course, includes Indian firms or firms that have Indian divisions.This is my experience from being on both sides of the fence for ~10 years.@joepyeweedThere isn't really a distinction between "agency" and "contract" employees, other than how it impacts head count. Neither is considered to be or not be "on-track" for potential hiring. The real difficulty in getting hired is that most positions that open up are filled internally before they are even visible to non-Cat employees, which is typical of any company.Edit: JPW is correct, Cyient is not a bad company, neither is Larson and Toubro (formerly Dell, Perot Systems and eServ).

This forum is not the place to get to get reliable information on salaries or employer references.

I suspect each business unit operates differently on hiring procedures. At PDGT there is a distinct difference between agency and contract personnel.

@joepyeweed @MahknoI'm not inclined to give any more details that I need to about my personal info, but suffice to say that I know more than you.JPW, PDandGT is a big division, including folks that work in test cells all the way to VP's. By and large, it operates the same way all other business units do, there is no difference, other than how Cat classifies you for tax purposes. There is no difference as an employee, besides what is on your CLUES profile. Every one is given equal consideration with regard to application, hiring, etc. Again, the issue with getting hired direct for Cat is the fact that most positions never go "external" before they are filled by existing employees.BTW, I work in PDandGT.

I worked there also...

Engineering is a hugely diverse field and employment opportunities for a new graduate are just as diverse. Just because an individual has an "engineering degree" does not necessarily automatically guarantee a high-paying job from the get-go. Most engineers get the basics in school. Then, if the school is good and the student is diligent and pro-active, maybe the student gets a relevant internship or at least "summer" employment in a related field. Companies generally are not going to put a brand new graduate in a position to engineer or make decisions regarding a costly project on their own - they are going to bring them on at entry level and see what they can do. I stand by my statement that an employee who "proves" themselves - whether as a "contract" employee or a direct hire - stands the best chance of moving ahead. BUT - and I say this to all college grads - don't expect miracles just because you earned a piece of paper. Be prepared to pay your dues, learn on the job and work your butt off.

Family life is hard now to provide for your loved ones. Money and hours worked for the best money. This takes you away from your loved one also. Hours spent away has had a grand affect on the children we raise. Our Government say`s per person it cost 60,000 plus for our grand achievements. Lets get the slot machine out and just keep feeding the thing.

or you could NOT have enough money to provide your kids the tools they need for success, and pass along the poverty. It's a balance between raising your kids proper and raising them out of poverty to a level where they have the tools to succeed.

What we do reflect to our children. I would rather give them manners rather than money any day. Working has to be done never have I found it right to free load. I`m going to lay down and pop out a couple of kids so I can get me a check and they live wit there parents, and grand parents, all on the same program. Sorry Cat Forum

um... who's talking about "popping out a couple of kids"??? you go all over the place with your discussions.I'm talking about someone being an engineer, putting in the hard work, providing for their families, earning a good living so their kids aren't poor and and they can afford the tools for them to get their education as well. Just because someone works long hours doesn't equate to popping kids out or freeloading or any other crap you just brought into the equation. You can still teach your kids manners while you are working a good job.

Sorry working many hours for your family does not always mean that they are taken care of now you have brought other things into factor. If your married and your in college working for an degree and work or what other means of support now if you have children. Some where along the way you have lost the means to take care of things the way they should. Some where some thing losses correct. The popping out kids belongs some where else wrong forum.

Wow. All this from someone wanting to know the starting salary at Cat for an engineer. As usual, PDC is very helpfull.

@tntrecycling: no, I didn't. You did, and I responded (my bad). Your thoughts always deviate way off the topic.

Ok not educated person has very hard time getting a job at Cat. I don't know if they do it today or not but. Cat and High schools would work together for workers so if they needed training they could school them for there work.

Those jobs are still there, they just are no longer CAT jobs... they are now URS, Eurest, GCA, Morton Machining, etc. etc. still providing labor that benefits Cat, just under contract through other companies.