ADD ADVICE TO FAVPlacements and internships
If you want to secure a graduate job, some form of work experience – whether a formal internship / placement or part-time work – is essential.
While a degree is obviously a prerequisite for finding employment as a graduate engineer, all graduate recruiters emphasise the importance of work experience and placements before graduation. Some say it is essential to securing a job. Employers place a great emphasis on skills, and any work experience will add to the list of skills you can offer.
’Work experience is much more important than it was ten years ago. If a graduate has a choice between getting a 2.1 degree and sacrificing an internship in order to get a first, I would suggest going for the internship and getting the 2.1 instead,’ says Dan Hawes, co-founder of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau.
Work experience for engineers
There are many types of work experience you can undertake, from a few weeks up to a year.
BT, for instance, offers an internship of between three and twelve months that pays £300 a week and involves working alongside professional engineers.
Airbus offers three-, six- and twelve-month internships, and provides a structured learning programme and a personal mentor for its interns. The firm also organises internships at a number of European locations including France, Germany and Spain.
Are all types of work experience equal?
’If students are looking to get into engineering, then the longer they are with an employer, the better, as it will show them what’s involved. One day with an employer will not give them a real insight into what that company does.
’Going out on site and being part of a team is good for the student and also for the company; so the more of this experience they can accumulate, the better,’ says Sue Sowerby, Managing Director of Sowerby Advertising & Communications.
How to get an engineering placement / internship
Most university careers services can help provide advice about internships. It is also worth researching and approaching recruitment agencies, such as the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, which help find interns for companies.
Company websites usually have all the relevant information about their internship programmes, and often you can apply online.
Applying for engineering placements
The most important things to bear in mind when applying are your CV or application form and the time of the application - find out when the company is advertising for internships.
