Career advice please..
Discussion
Hey all I was just looking for some advice from the forum, I went back to education after leaving a while ago and I have just completed my second year in a foundation degree (read HND) in Aircraft Engineering and now I have the opportunity to do an extra year to top up the foundation degree to a full degree in (assuming) aeronautical engineering but I have no idea where I want to be or what I want to do.
When I started my diploma in engineering, my idea was to start building experience for the CAA aircraft technician licences. This did not work out as I started working (retail) to pay for the courses but every airline I would apply to for experience I would get rejected, eventually quit and just carried on in dead end jobs (didn't even do any modules).
I currently work as a security guard and my work history is pretty much all retail apart from volunteering to help restore an old aircraft for shows (can not fly)and I have just handed in my cv to a cnc machining plant near where I work which would also be on a voluntary basis for experience both the cnc machining side and engineering side (the company does both).
Any advice from anyone most appreciated, even suggestions not including a degree in aeronautics. Maybe someone knows where I could get some solid experience and set up a decent foundation for a well paid career
.
Thanks
When I started my diploma in engineering, my idea was to start building experience for the CAA aircraft technician licences. This did not work out as I started working (retail) to pay for the courses but every airline I would apply to for experience I would get rejected, eventually quit and just carried on in dead end jobs (didn't even do any modules).
I currently work as a security guard and my work history is pretty much all retail apart from volunteering to help restore an old aircraft for shows (can not fly)and I have just handed in my cv to a cnc machining plant near where I work which would also be on a voluntary basis for experience both the cnc machining side and engineering side (the company does both).
Any advice from anyone most appreciated, even suggestions not including a degree in aeronautics. Maybe someone knows where I could get some solid experience and set up a decent foundation for a well paid career
.Thanks
Hi, given that you have no idea what you want to do, it is quite difficult to give advice.
For what it is worth, I would carry on and finish the degree, it souinds like the subject interests you and having a degree has a value in itself and one that cannot easily be quantified in terms of possible future options for you.
Clearly your CV is a bit chequered with roles that were a means to an end, so be honest about that. Not every graduate has had a smooth path through A levels, gap year and a well funded three years of University.
Many line managers and hiring managers, actively seek those who have some experience of working and admire people who are "self made" so don't despair of getting a "career" rather than a series of jobs.
Yes if you can get some hands on experience then great, but look at engineer apprenticeships with the big guys too, don't be put off applying to Rolls, Bae, JLR, Caterpillar and those bigger firms. You won't know until you have tried.
Unfortunately, you may have missed my posts over the last couple of years. I have been hiring people with a background and career aim similar to you. I think at the last count I have managed 5 hires via PH in 18 months. Drop me a copy of your CV and I will get in touch if anything suitable comes up.
edc said:
Unfortunately, you may have missed my posts over the last couple of years. I have been hiring people with a background and career aim similar to you. I think at the last count I have managed 5 hires via PH in 18 months. Drop me a copy of your CV and I will get in touch if anything suitable comes up.
FWIW My bro went for an interview with your guys and didn't hear anything back...Gargamel said:
Hi, given that you have no idea what you want to do, it is quite difficult to give advice.
For what it is worth, I would carry on and finish the degree, it souinds like the subject interests you and having a degree has a value in itself and one that cannot easily be quantified in terms of possible future options for you.
Clearly your CV is a bit chequered with roles that were a means to an end, so be honest about that. Not every graduate has had a smooth path through A levels, gap year and a well funded three years of University.
Many line managers and hiring managers, actively seek those who have some experience of working and admire people who are "self made" so don't despair of getting a "career" rather than a series of jobs.
Yes if you can get some hands on experience then great, but look at engineer apprenticeships with the big guys too, don't be put off applying to Rolls, Bae, JLR, Caterpillar and those bigger firms. You won't know until you have tried.
Thanks for the input Gargamel, I do love aircraft and everything about them, the systems, hydraulics, mechanics etc. I love learning about how things work, I would love to build a kit car someday or even my own pedal bike, even though I have no idea where to begin.For what it is worth, I would carry on and finish the degree, it souinds like the subject interests you and having a degree has a value in itself and one that cannot easily be quantified in terms of possible future options for you.
Clearly your CV is a bit chequered with roles that were a means to an end, so be honest about that. Not every graduate has had a smooth path through A levels, gap year and a well funded three years of University.
Many line managers and hiring managers, actively seek those who have some experience of working and admire people who are "self made" so don't despair of getting a "career" rather than a series of jobs.
Yes if you can get some hands on experience then great, but look at engineer apprenticeships with the big guys too, don't be put off applying to Rolls, Bae, JLR, Caterpillar and those bigger firms. You won't know until you have tried.
My question though, stems from the constant minimum wage jobs I have had, money is a big motivator for me and constantly going over salary websites, it seems aircraft engineers tap out around the 65-70,000 mark, which maybe enough for some but I am hoping and will do anything I can to eventually be earning at least 6 figures (I know this won't happen over night and will take time).
I think I was asking is a degree in Aero Engineering a good prospect?
edc said:
Unfortunately, you may have missed my posts over the last couple of years. I have been hiring people with a background and career aim similar to you. I think at the last count I have managed 5 hires via PH in 18 months. Drop me a copy of your CV and I will get in touch if anything suitable comes up.
Hi EDC thank you for the reply, I do follow your recruitment posts and emailed you but unfortunately at the time you required graduate candidates and had no vacancies for any internships or work experience. I believe you work for UTC Aero systems?bump 
Just an update for anyone that was interested and a bit of a rant from myself.
So I got my results of my foundation degree (read HND) in Aircraft engineering and I have (Thank God) PASSED, so rang up Salford university for clearing process but was told they do not take students for "top up" (because I have done 2 years the 3rd at university would give me my BEng degree). Apparently industry does not take kindly to top up degree holders and so I would have to start again from year 1 if I decided to go to Salford. This is a huge kick in the teeth, not only then have I wasted 2 years and 10 grand but after a few years p*ssing about and finally getting my act together to try and provide a decent life for my family I am set back at least 3 years before I can start earning a decent salary.
The only other Unis I can think of being Staffordshire uni and Glamorgan but with a wife and kid moving is not the best option.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fml
Just an update for anyone that was interested and a bit of a rant from myself.
So I got my results of my foundation degree (read HND) in Aircraft engineering and I have (Thank God) PASSED, so rang up Salford university for clearing process but was told they do not take students for "top up" (because I have done 2 years the 3rd at university would give me my BEng degree). Apparently industry does not take kindly to top up degree holders and so I would have to start again from year 1 if I decided to go to Salford. This is a huge kick in the teeth, not only then have I wasted 2 years and 10 grand but after a few years p*ssing about and finally getting my act together to try and provide a decent life for my family I am set back at least 3 years before I can start earning a decent salary.
The only other Unis I can think of being Staffordshire uni and Glamorgan but with a wife and kid moving is not the best option.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fml
What do you want to do?
Answer:
Are you qualified to enter that role/profession/industry?
Answer: (If yes, then apply. If not, go to next question)
What is it that you need to become qualified to enter that industry?
Answer:
Are you able to get on a course to qualify you?
Answer: (If yes, then apply. If not, choose new career and repeat questions above)
There really isn't too much more to it I'm afraid. You either get qualified or choose a new career. Good luck!
Answer:
Are you qualified to enter that role/profession/industry?
Answer: (If yes, then apply. If not, go to next question)
What is it that you need to become qualified to enter that industry?
Answer:
Are you able to get on a course to qualify you?
Answer: (If yes, then apply. If not, choose new career and repeat questions above)
There really isn't too much more to it I'm afraid. You either get qualified or choose a new career. Good luck!
take a look here
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/search_courses_results....
Plenty of courses, you could do it as distance learning if you really want it.
Good luck.
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