Career in Civil Engineering - hints & tips

[Countdown]

Hi all

My daughter is interested in a career in Civil Engineering. She's currently in her final year of GCSEs and is predicted fairly good grades. I guess the traditional route would be GCSE --> A levels --> Degree. I was just wondering if that's the best route or are there any other options she should consider. How easy are degree apprenticeships to get?

Also what's the best way for her to get work experience / internship over the next 2-5 years? I assume Civil Engineering is as competitive as Law or Finance so I want to make sure she's as well-equipped as she can be by the time she graduates and start applying for jobs.

Thanks in advance

[bobmcgod]

Take a look for apprenticeships in CE near by also. Atleast that way she might be able to start working and earning from leaving school.

[Neil1989]

I went down the apprenticeship route in Mechanical Engineering, spent the first year, sponsored by company, at a training school @ 16 years old (basic welding, pipe fitting etc), then into an engineering office environment. Continued at college doing my ONC (in Operations and Maintenance), then HNC in Mechanical Engineering, then onto my degree in the same field. All part-time (8 years in total) and all paid for!
Spoke to a few full timers whilst at uni and comparing what they paid, to what my company was paying, they wished they'd gone down the same route as me.
Not only do you have the qualifications but the experience and knowledge of the job you would have otherwise applied for. A great advantage!!

[edc]

Of those who have gone through the apprenticeship route - how long ago was that?

I know there has in recent years been attempts to reinvigorate the apprenticeship schemes but there seem to be wfewer and fewer contemporary success stories.

[Neil1989]

I started my apprenticeship straight after school so 2005!
Obviously depending on where you're from, I went to a place called NETA (based in Middlesbrough), I'm sure they'll be similar outfits around the country!

[cqueen]

Apprenticeship. I work for a major civil engineering firm, they pay for education inc degree whilst in work. Win win.

[Desk20]

Another vote for apprenticeship.
My son has spent a couple of years doing his HNC on day release and has just started his degree all funded by his employer. So he will come out of it all without any student debt and valuable experience on the job as well.

As for tips to get started - apply for apprenticeships in a large company that will give a broad range of experience - if possible talk to previous apprentices, some employers will use the apprentices as cheap CAD daughters and never give them design work or site experience.

When she goes for the first interview, be presentable and ask questions. When my son had his first interview he was very nervous, around 20 people interviewed for 3 or 4 positions, they were expected to present themselves in suitable office attire and be prepared for a morning of individual and group sessions. On the day only a couple of them had made the effort - some didn’t turn up, some very late and others in jeans, tea shirts (one even had a beanie hat on). Most sat there without any interaction and looking bored with it all – guess which two were offered positions straight away!

[anonymous-user]

This is PH so I'm going to disagree.

My BiL and both nephews are all CEs. And their perspective is it's getting harder and harder to get in without a Masters never mind a first degree.

Sponsorship is hard to get but invaluable to gain the experience.

I have nothing against apprenticeships (I used to offer them at my last role) but CE is old school in its attitude so unless your daughter gets a degree as well she might struggle to be considered an equal.

On the positive side, being female will help uni and company diversity scores!

[Evanivitch]

Another vote for apprenticeships.

I didn't, but 3 colleagues have gone through apprenticeships and earned money and been sponsored throughout. One has gone upto MBA. All Electrical/Mechanical engineers though.

[Timbo_S2]

Im a Director in a large UK Civil Engineering Contractor. We take on hundreds of graduates per year, and have a very good starting package for those selected.

However, to qualify you must have a first or 2:1 in civil engineering (or similar, i.e Construction management etc). We also take on a number of summer / industrial placements throughout the year, and offer bursaries etc. when applicable. This is obviously in addition to our many apprentices.

I did my degree part-time, and have the utmost respect for those that do also. However, particularly with the ICE, you will need a masters in order to gain Chartership. This is a real long term commitment for both employee and employer with a masters degree...

If you're keen in being considered for a placement, drop me a pm and i'll give you my work email.

[NeilC]

Being chartered by the istructe or ice does not require a masters, just a normal degree. The alternative is to wait until you are 35 to take the necessary exam. This isn't as bad as you might think as it takes years to get a degree on the day release route.
I would caution that although getting your degree paid for is great, it will tie you to a company as if you leave you will be expected to pay it back (on a sliding scale per year since completion but still adds up).
It may be worth attempting to contact local firms directly for work experience in the holidays as a way to get a foot in the door and see if it suits.

[Countdown]

Hi all

Thanks for the advice - it's all very helpful.

I would prefer the Apprenticeship route (I think she would prefer "normal" University so that she can enjoy the soacial life but Daddy is going to struggle to fund the £10k pa living costs ).

However a couple of people have mentioned stuff like welding. I don't think she's into metalwork as such and, if I'm honest, I thought it would be more technical stuff like designing buildings etc (apologies I have very limited knowledge about CE).

I'll email her some links to Apprenticeship websites and also tell her to have a look at the ICE website.

Thanks again.

[bony_13]

Another vote for an apprenticeship route. Although she should consider any feelings around missing out on the whole uni experience and rushing into full time employment. Working life is an awfully long one and its only getting longer with increasing retirement ages and rising house prices.

It's my own experience that masters degrees and ICE chartership are increasingly irrelevant. The industry has has a massive skills shortage and if it were me I'd be looking to enter work and start climbing the ladder that shortage creates asap.

My background: A-Levels then a BSc in Civils on a day release basis, completed over 5 years. I had 7 years in design consultancy and now in my 8th year working for main contractors. I'm also a STEM ambassador and can tell you that the big companies are not 'old school' or 'backwards' in any way when it comes to recruiting the next generation - as some previous replies have stated.

[mcg_]

My first tip - don't bother, pays not great.

Second tip - I agree with others and apprenticeships, it's what I did. I'm late 20's and a Senior Engineer. Although being a senior engineer these days isn't the same as what it used to be.

[StairDominator]

mcg_ said:

My first tip - don't bother, pays not great.

The salary's a joke. Negating the salary, the job itself is tedious, overly stressful and boring. I've experienced both sides of the coin - from office based design work right through to the coal face setting out permanent works. I wouldn't encourage any youngsters to get involved with construction or CE. That said, a CE degree is a solid base education.

[CubanPete]

I'd look at a technical apprenticeship. Now is a great time to look for companies that offer this and summer placements and YII.

Is she interested in other types of engineering too, or is it the architecture side that she prefers?

Ignore the doom merchants!