Engineering as a career option

[quasimodo]

During the last week I have been going through one of my closest nieces personal statement as she applies for University to do a course in Civil Engineering.She has moved away from mechanical engineering after work experiences at Bentley and Jaguar Land Rover.I would be interested in views upon different universities and their pros and cons.She is currently looking at Cardiff,Southampton,Bristol,Nottingham and Manchester.Her current preference is Cardiff which is a five year course involving a year abroad or in industry and a year for her Masters.

[ninanina]

Thank you all. what would I do without this forum?

Totally agree! My dc finished his 11 plus journey this year but I keep finding myself coming back here. This forum is full of amazing intelligent people / parents and has a wealth of precious tips and advice as well as intelligent discussions beyond 11 plus.

[KB]

I would thoroughly investigate links with industry: how much help can the department provide in finding placements, where have placement years been undertaken in recent years, how many students are unable to find placements, how many are paid placements etc.

Also check the first destinations of graduates for similar information.

Assuming the final masters year of all courses will provide the necessary professional recognition?

Think about whether the year in industry us needed or if sufficient experience can be gained by a series of summer internships.

Assuming there isn't a great deal to choose between the courses think about location - having put down roots during the course will she be likely to want to stay in the area ( many graduates do) and what are the employment prospects likely to be.

Then the usual questions about transport links to home and 'feel' for the campus. I imagine Manchester as a place to live is a very different experience to Bristol for example?

The campus at Nottingham is very attractive btw.

Does she have particular other interests that are better served by one or other ?

[Tinkers]

Assuming the final masters year of all courses will provide the necessary professional recognition?

I'd hope that all engineering courses are accredited bye relevant institution and the unis all usually state this somewhere. If not it is a good idea to check. You don't need to have a masters get chartered but you will have to jump through other hoops to get chartered if you don't have it. If your are doing an MEng as part of your first degree it should almost defintely be accepted.

Some unis are better than others when it comes to industrial experience.

[JaneEyre]

TBH engineers don't do badly pay wise.

This is the point! The poem is a poem of complete irony the whole way through ( clever, isn’t it?)! Therefore the poet is saying how poets do not have a life of luxury. So when reading this poem, try to take everything meaning the opposite.

[Tinkers]

I am but an engineer and take everything literally.

[Guest55]

I'd hope that all engineering courses are accredited bye relevant institution and the unis all usually state this somewhere. If not it is a good idea to check.

Not all degrees are accredited - it is something to watch for.

[SteveDH]

If you don't have a Masters and want to be chartered you'll have to do some extra work somewhere, so generally doing a masters simplifies things.

If your not sure of the type of engineering, then there are some courses that have the 1st one or 2 years general such as Lancaster or Cambridge.

My DD's course was like that, and its surprising how many people change their preferences. (as an aside my DD also went to HBS, and in her group of friends 3 went into engineering and the rest medicine).

[Guest55]

More and more students are looking at the more industry focused Engineering degrees; employability is better. These courses include the use of specialist software like Solidworks, STAR CCM+ etc and the newer universties tend to prepare you better for the world of work.

[Blitz]

I was sent an email about new engineering courses that The Smallpeice Trust has just launched if anyone's DC are interested....

Happy New Courses
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Please keep checking the website and social media for updates and any special announcements: twitter & facebook.


Any questions please contact the team on 01926 333 200 or email info@smallpeicetrust.org.uk

Thank you

The Smallpeice Trust