Engineering work experience

[JoeEcho]

Hi everyone, I need a bit of advice on breaking into the engineering sector. Im currently studying a degree in engineering with the open university and working full time for an insurance company.

My problem is i am trying to get a job in the engineering industry and they all ask for experience, so to give myself a fighting chance i am trying to do some work experience for local companies. The problem is they all want me to have some experience for work experience. I am happy to do anything currently, be it a dogs body or tea boy.

Has anyone got any advice on how to go about getting some experience?

[Tango13]

Where abouts in the UK are you and are you willing to travel a bit?

Also what sort of experience are you looking for? Running machines? Office work seeing how things are organised? Are you looking to get paid or are you just looking to gain experience and be able to put something on your CV?

[orangesrule]

Some grad schemes are really well paid, no experience required, and loads of support. Try looking at some big names, BAE, Babcock, rolls royce.

[JoeEcho]

Im in Norwich so ideally looking for something around here, I don't mind what I do as I'm yet to pick a specialty (although I have thought either mechanical or electrical). I'm not looking to get paid for my time but if I can get a job out of it even better.

I haven't yet graduated (starting my 2nd year) so a graduate scheme won't take me on as far as I'm aware.

[R2T2]

Working at one of the ports is supposed to be good.
I work as an IT engineer at the one in Bristol and see half a dozen apprentice engineers all about. There are a lot of people who have been here 30+ years and I know of 8 that have been here since 18-20.
Our place is bloody good pay too.

[a311]

JoeEcho said:

Hi everyone, I need a bit of advice on breaking into the engineering sector.

Call/send letter to local companies, I expect there will be a careers adviser(s)? Associated with the OU so perhaps speak to them as I know normal universities Engineering departments have ties with industry. MEng courses also have a placement element to them and we take placement students in on a salaried position. It's about 13.5K p.a we'll also take direct graduate entrants with no industrial experience on about 26K starting salary.

Sorry if I've not picked it up but you don't say which area of Engineering although I appreciate the OU degrees are pretty general up to a point. I'm an engineering manager and would happily take someone in offering their services for free! I'm at the opposite end of the country to you so probably wouldn't appeal but our placement recruitment usually starts in the summer so PM me if interested-I'm in the NW in the Nuclear sector.

Would look good on your CV, highly regulated industry with some interesting challenges........

[JoeEcho]

a311 said:

Call/send letter to local companies, I expect there will be a careers adviser(s)? Associated with the OU so perhaps speak to them as I know normal universities Engineering departments have ties with industry. MEng courses also have a placement element to them and we take placement students in on a salaried position. It's about 13.5K p.a we'll also take direct graduate entrants with no industrial experience on about 26K starting salary.

Sorry if I've not picked it up but you don't say which area of Engineering although I appreciate the OU degrees are pretty general up to a point. I'm an engineering manager and would happily take someone in offering their services for free! I'm at the opposite end of the country to you so probably wouldn't appeal but our placement recruitment usually starts in the summer so PM me if interested-I'm in the NW in the Nuclear sector.

Would look good on your CV, highly regulated industry with some interesting challenges........

I have tried that but they are appalling at getting back to me. I haven't pick an area yet although I'm thinking of either electrical or mechanical (I know those areas expand greatly). I like the idea of working offshore and being able to travel for work. I want something to challenge me, but don't like being stuck in an office.

If I ever get the chance I would jump at the opportunity to work in the Nuclear sector. I'm more than happy to send my CV over to you.

[a311]

JoeEcho said:

I have tried that but they are appalling at getting back to me. I haven't pick an area yet although I'm thinking of either electrical or mechanical (I know those areas expand greatly). I like the idea of working offshore and being able to travel for work. I want something to challenge me, but don't like being stuck in an office.

If I ever get the chance I would jump at the opportunity to work in the Nuclear sector. I'm more than happy to send my CV over to you.

In my own personal experience the higher you go unfortunately the less hands on you get to be. In our place the Engineering Leads still get down to the coal face so to speak but are mainly directing the work rather than getting their hands dirty. Electrical is something I have little knowledge of but we've a real shortage of Mechanical Design Engineers but again this would mostly be driving a desk.

In Nuclear your degree is your ticket in but after your foot is in the door there's a lot of scope to move around both in engineering roles, and non-engineering. The graduate scheme is good as you get various placements with the aim of giving you a more rounded overview of the business. I'll drop HR a note and ask when the placement recruitment takes place, our most southern site is in Gloucestershire but don't do the sort of thing you'd be after. You'd have to be willing to relocate to Cumbria ideally.

Feel free to drop me a CV.

[JoeEcho]

I think its the same with most roles to be honest, the higher up you go the less hands on you are.

Not sure the Missus is up for relocating but I have been working the idea into her head for a few years now. I will drop you my cv anyway, can't hurt and always helps to network. Pm me your email address and I will send it tonight

[mini me]

Ford Motor company are currently offering apprenticeships. Look it up.