23 replies to this topic

[mini_mad69]

I want to get into engineering as a career.

 

I have been to university and complete a business degree, after some hard work and patience I have landed myself into a business based graduate scheme, unfortunately this is in the retail sector and as I said, I want to be an engineer, and I can't see myself moving on from the retail industry  with this role, it's a good role with great progression but simply not what I want to do, and I also don't want to do the hours expected from people in the retail industry to earn good money.

 

 

I've been looking into taking on another degree in order to make the move to the engineering industry, I've attempted to get an engineering apprenticeship and going that way,but I get turned away for being too old. I'm 23.

I have applied too engineering training schemes, but they were looking for more background in engineering. Of which I don't have much, summer job for a construction company and a young engineers scheme in school.

 

Does anyone have any advice in order to get into engineering? Be it through university, open learning? Other ways?

 

I've been more looking into civil engineering with the long term aim of getting chattered if thats any use?

[Alex_B]

I am currently doing a motorsport engineering degree which will launch me into the world of motorsport or general automotive engineering hopefully, and I think this is the most common way into it at the moment, the country is on the look out for engineers so you should be able to do it that way 

[mini_mad69]

Yeah, the problem being I have already been to uni and completed a degree, there are alot of barriers to completing a second one. 

 

You won't get student loan, and i'm pretty sure the fees are higher, hence looking at open learning, meaning I can study at my own pace, and still be earning.

 

But just looking for opinions if this is the way to go? I'd love to do motorsport engineering, and is an option I'm looking at, but theres less scope to do it without doing the traditional uni route, which as I explained above it going to be tricky.

[Fast Ivan]

I went to college after school and did NVQ's in engineering, from there I got a tool making apprenticeship with British Aerospace: happy days :)

Edited by Rob Mac, 12 May 2013 - 10:41 PM.

[deviant]

I would strongly suggest getting work experience in an engineering company before you set your mind on it. It'll look good on your CV, and it'll confirm whether it's really the field for you. I had no ideas on what I wanted to do when it came to University, but after doing a months work experience with various engineering companies, I knew it was for me. I only did a year at Uni then dropped out but I then joined a graduate scheme, and am still at the same company (5 years next Saturday).

 

I would still apply to graduate schemes and apprenticeships. Most companies like to employ graduates, as if you've got a degree, you've probably got the mind to work. 

 

Personally, I work a lot more hours than a lot of my friends, but you get out what you put in. You may think it's a 9-5 job, but depending on the company, it won't be, especially if you want to work your way up/do well. Go at it with a 'work hard, play harder' attitude, and you'll do good.

 

Open University is a good thing to look in to as you could get any number of qualifications in your spare time. Also think about what type of engineering you want to get into: civil, aerospace, mechanical, automotive, combustion, agricultural etc etc (there are a fair few!), and what kind of work you want to be doing, i.e. Machine Shop, design, R&D, etc.

 

From what I remember, there is a degree/qualification needed for chartership, as well as working with an already chartered engineer/company. Best thing to do is have a read through the IMechE/IoCE for info on it. It isn't something that happens over night. I think you can become a member of the institutes for a small cost. You get info packs etc. I haven't looked at it in a long time though.

 

It's a great industry to get into. But try it first before you dive in head first. The last thing you want to do is do a full degree only to realise it's not the right thing for you.

[deviant]

I went to college after school and did NVQ's in engineering, from there I got a tool making apprenticeship with British Aerospace: happy days :)

 

I second this. 

[l_jonez]

Agreed a second degree is a pain to get, I did my first one then applied the following year to do motorsport engineering and got accepted but then not being able to get a second student loan put an end to it.

The only person I know who is a civil engineer did it via uni, I'm sure there's other ways into it (apprentice/college) but it will be a long process. I'm pretty sure their not allowed to turn you down based on age anymore. You often hear of mature apprentices these days.


Lucky I got a job a few years after my degree and I'm now an hydraulic engineer and I work for most of the water companys (mainly welsh water) around the country. I deal with the simple things like data logging the network and servicing valves all the way up to network design.

[Fast Ivan]

I **** degrees

[smartie93]

I **** degrees

how informative and helpful, Why may I ask? 

[Fast Ivan]

 

I **** degrees

how informative and helpful, Why may I ask? 

 

why what? you cant see what I said

[smartie93]

 

 

I **** degrees

how informative and helpful, Why may I ask? 

 

why what? you cant see what I said

 

Sorry I assumed the asterisks hid negative profanity  

Edited by smartie93, 12 May 2013 - 11:06 PM.

[Fast Ivan]

no worries dude

[998dave]

I'd recommend trying to get onto an M.Sc in your selected engineering discipline.

Yes it's expensive, (I took out a £8K bank loan for mine), but once you've got it you can get a nice engineering job.

 

If you don't want to do that, then you need to keep working on apprenticeships, no big company (I work for Ford), is going to take on a business graduate as an engineer I'm afraid.

 

Dave

[Shifty]

Depends on what you call engineering, its not just standing behind a machine making things.

 

I work in a factory as a maintenance engineer, the money is good, hrs are ok and the work is clean.

 

I've never been out of work either.

 

I did an apprenticeship when I was 16.

 

Its a pretty competetive market and you'll either need to know someone(my current job I got through a mate and it was never actually advertised) or have a decent CV. I've got an HNC.

[Hix]

I'm a contract CAD monkey. I've worked in both road-going automotive and motorsport designing everything from BIW for JLR to composite design in F1 and LMP. I've done some windtunnel design work in the not so distant past too.

It's generally rewarding, though as in every walk of life you'll end up working for a prick somewhere down the line.

I did an HND in mech engineering, though I quit before I completed it.

Mostly success is down to getting your head down, learning as much as you can with everything you work on and banging in some serious hours.

I still spend some of my own time at weekends designing stuff for homebrew projects that rarely ever make it to reality. In fact this weekend I was doing to basic FEA work on a wishbone design for my Clio, to see if I could come up with some billet lower arms that would work.

Look into HNDs as they can be a good way into engineering, from my perspective. You can always upgrade them part time once you get some work.