What to do with an engineering degree??
What to do with an engineering degree??
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Discussion

K87

Original Poster:

2,111 posts

214 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
Right well im coming to the end of my engineering degree this year, its an automotive degree with a years work experience at a very reputable automotive company.

Now I'm wondering what sort of jobs I can apply to, obviously all the automotive based companies for a start and suppliers.

But I hear a lot about people getting their degrees then ending up in a completely different field, now with engineering on its arse at the moment I'm thinking this might be a good option but have no idea how to go about getting into other roles.

Its not that engineering doesn't interest me any more, I just want to think realistically and imaginatively about where else I could put the degree to good use.

AyBee

11,269 posts

229 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
I'm in the same situation, doing Mechanical Engineering at Bath. Did a placement and decided I didn't want to do engineering, despite enjoying the year (more down to the people I worked with than the work I was doing though). There are a lot of careers that you could go into with your degree (assuming it's a good one from a good university), I've been looking at various areas of business, finance, accounting, consultancy etc etc, but I strongly advise that you don't bother, if you enjoy engineering (which it sounds like you do), do that! If you don't know of the other areas you could go into then you're just going to end up looking like someone looking to go into something other than for enjoyment/interest (i.e. money!!) and that will show right through at the interview process!!

theironduke

6,995 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
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Not sure about the ins and outs of engineering degrees but the forces, defo the two blues, or recruiting engineering trades atm.

statts1976uk

191 posts

207 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
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I graduated in Structural Engineering with a B.Eng in 2000 and have since never worked in constuction or any related field. The RAF was my chosen destination as I worked out that I could pay off my student debts in 4 years but because I had such as good time I stayed on for 9 as an engineering officer and now working as an aircraft engineer so still having to study a lot. Just because you have finished university it doesn't mean thats the end of study but have a good look at the forces, they have a good range of careers and a good secure job with a wage every month cannot be bad.

matt12023

485 posts

223 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
quotequote all
Engineerings on its arse hey? company I work at has taken on 6 engineers in the last 3 months, I've got an interview at an engineering company tomorrow that are set to have by far their best year this year. There are companies doing fine out there. If you enjoy engineering I wouldnt write it off

JuniorD

9,013 posts

250 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
quotequote all
Air Traffic Controller at Eurocontrol. The degree is not essential but it can't be any harm.

Read through this:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

ewenm

28,506 posts

272 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
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We had a few engineers start at PwC Consulting (now IBM) when I started there years ago (and I was a Maths and Manufacturing Engineering background). Most "graduate" schemes, as much as they still exist, don't really care about the degree subject.

Shabs

1,866 posts

233 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
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I became a consultant, now I am a banker... so long as you can add, you should be fine

kazste

6,105 posts

225 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
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depending how good you are and if you have done any electrical theory, i could offer to keep you on retention for assistance with my hnc electrical engineering course.

hours would be around 3 per week, at around 50p/hour.

i'll assume your interested so let me know when you can start.

im sorry but i cant offer dental smile

XJSJohn

16,147 posts

246 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
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Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Oil and Gas, and the service sectors to it is a huge field and 'personality goes a long way' with regards to the fun nitty gritty end of the spectrum.
Subsea / Drilling / Offshore / Heavy Lifting & Shifting etc.

Think big stuff on the discovery channel smile
Would agree with this, some of the coolest engineering stuff comes from the offshore oil and gas industry, lots of very cool toys and good money to boot!

As Paddy says think anything properly big on the discovery channel!!!


NoelWatson

11,710 posts

269 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
Shabs said:
I became a consultant, now I am a banker... so long as you can add, you should be fine
Seconded

Goochie

5,784 posts

246 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
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NoelWatson said:
Shabs said:
I became a consultant, now I am a banker... so long as you can add, you should be fine
Seconded
As demonstrated in 2008, even the ability to do basic sums is not essential wink