Large engineering companies have offices around the world, their size dependent on how important the engineering work in that area is to the company as a whole.

Most will have offices in the UK and North America, and many have additional offices in the Far East, Middle East, Australia and continental Europe.

Digital communications has made inter-continental co-operation much faster, but also much more demanding, with answers to queries expected within a day. As Keith Clarke, Group Chief Executive Officer at Atkins, says, ’We have 17,800 clever people and export British engineering expertise, which is among the best in the world.’

Salaries at large engineering firms

Graduates can expect to start on £22,000 to £24,000 and enter a training scheme that leads to chartership.

The pros

Consider working for a large or multinational firm if you:

• are looking for structured training
• enjoy travel and speak foreign languages
• want company benefits, such as health insurance
• are seeking support for a further degree
• enjoy being part of a large multicultural community
• want to be involved with large and/or glamorous projects.

The cons

Think again if you:

• like to see a project through from beginning to end
• can’t handle disruptions to your work
• wouldn’t like being sent abroad at a moment’s notice.