Hints & Tips for Undergraduates Entering the Engineering Sector
GAME Engineering Ltd have worked as materials, processing and handling engineers since the companies’ formation 26 years ago. Over the years, GAME has amassed a wealth of experience in numerous sectors, in particular the grain, seed and milling industries.
Recently, GAME have recognised that an increasing number of graduate applications have been badly presented, interviewees have no practical experience applicable to the role they applied for, or they are over-assured as to what their actual ability and capability is in the ‘Real World’. It would not be advantageous for us to employ a graduate who has purely gained merit at University through their theoretical work and possess no practical experience. We need someone who has worked before, has experience of working with clients, suppliers and has worked with CAD software on actual real life scenarios.
GAME have devised a succinct list of 10 Hints and Tips which will give you an insight into:
- Optimising your practical experience and work experience while at University/College
- Present yourself professionally when applying for a job
- Communicate effectively about your work and life skills
- Prepare yourself for working life
The 10 Hints and Tips for undergraduates entering the engineering sector are:
1. Fully understand the company you are applying to and its sectors of work
You need to show initiative, a comprehensive understanding and an awareness of the business and its activity. An employer wants a forward thinker who takes an interest in the business and sector as this underpins the characteristic of an individual, do you fully understand their work and show a willingness to learn. You should fully research the company on their website through pages such as About Us, Background, Company History, clients and business activity pages.
2. Exhibit your work experience
You need to be able to show that you have gained practical experience through any employment during your time at university, placement and/or after university. This shows that you have shown commitment to an employer, shows responsibility and that you are a focussed individual. An employer ideally searches for a candidate with experience as this illustrates that they can transfer their theoretical skills to real life scenarios. It’s one thing saying that you understand the process of creating a conveying system and another actually doing it. This can be shown through a portfolio of your work which shows any practical solutions i.e. dust reduction in an extraction process through case studies or CAD drawings.
3. Show you are self-motivated
A successful candidate needs to show their readiness to learn, enthusiasm in not only your education, work and personal life, but also show that they have a passion for your chosen career. An employee will perceive skills such as foreseeing problems, individuals who go that extra mile, who are successful, determined and able to work independently and as part of a team as an asset. This can be reflected through demonstrating such skills and experience in not only past work experience but also in academic situations. Success in non-academic areas, such as being on the winning University Rowing Team, achieving success in a student’s union or local football team, are all areas which portray a successful individual with a self-motivated attitude.
4. Demonstrate that you are hardworking
It’s important to state that you are a hard working individual who is dedicated to not only your career but to the job if you were to get it, with a willingness to offer your services and progress beyond what is initially expected of you. This can be shown through qualities such as an eye for detail, a driven personality who will put in the time and effort to not only understand the work but get it completed on time. You need to be prepared to work hard and fully immerse yourself into the working world i.e. 8am till 5pm, overtime, travel and weekend work. You need to be prepared to put work first and go that extra mile to prove yourself. Giving an examples of where you have exceeded expectations in previous jobs, teams or university projects would be valuable.
5. Portray that you are an ambitious individual
An employer will actively look for an ambitious individual who aspires to not only be successful in their job, but aspires to progress during their career. You need to show you have high expectations and are driven. You need to explain that you want to grow with the company and show that you are enthusiastic and will fit well into the company. Being a quick learner and enthusiastic are commendable assets for any team. This can be illustrated through a personal development plan and by expressing your aspirations for your future career. Explain that you would ultimately like to be a Project Manager for example, and starting as a Draughtsman is the first step. You can give examples of achievements during university and explain instances where you have used your own initiative.
6. Showcase your practical experiences
Being able to showcase real life examples or what you have learnt during university and not just theoretical, gives an additional dimension to your skills as a graduate. It gives the interviewee a true representation of an individual’s ability, as in many cases, what one person says is not necessarily what they can do. For example, bring CAD designs and a prototype of a process solution that you may have designed or been involved in. This clearly demonstrates your ability. You could bring project worked completed through modules at university or a placement year i.e. being involved in the creation of a piece of equipment, machinery or process solution and a case study to reinforce this.
7. More strings to your bow
You need to showcase all of your knowledge, experiences and success which are relevant to your career by putting yourself across as the most worthy applicant. By giving a multitude of examples it shows your diversity and will build a better picture of who you are to potential employers. This can again be through experiences or achievements at university through qualifications, placement year, work experience, employment or non-academic. If you can demonstrate an ability to deal with multiple tasks, projects and interests, it reflects an attractive candidate who is able to apply themselves to many things and succeed.
8. Be a competent communicator
You need to be able to communicate on paper, via email and over the telephone. With any job, you are representing that company so you need to be able to come across whether it’s through emails or in person in a professional manner. You will be dealing with an array of stakeholders from colleagues and customers, to supplier and directors. An employer will be looking for a candidate with not only the qualifications and practical experience, but also someone who is able to communicate clearly, concisely and is able to confidently express themselves. You need to make sure your spelling, punctuation and the presentation of your CV and covering letter is of a high standard. When in interviews and on the job you need to be confident and always be aware of who is in the meeting, what they are responsible for, as well as pre-meditating what you may be asked and possible solutions.
9. Have a realistic perception of your ability
You need to appreciate that understanding the theory and passing exams at university does not automatically equip you with the ability and skills to do a job in real life. Getting experience is paramount as it underpins everything else that you have achieved and reinforces the methodology.
Having this awareness shows a level of maturity. Even if you have had little work experience, you can express that you understand you have little experience, HOWEVER, you are hardworking, excelled in your university hockey team, always give 100% and will go above and beyond what is expected of yourself to prove your worth. Well that means a lot. You need to understand there is a huge transition from Uni life to the working world. You will need to start at the bottom and work your way up.
10. Build your network
If you can show that you actively communicate with people in the sector through industry networking events and building your own profile, thus increasing your knowledge, it shows a forward thinker with a personal drive. It would be an advantage for an employer if a candidate knows their suppliers, may have met and networked with clients or prospective clients. It brings added value to company. Having a professional body membership or qualification with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for example reinforces your capabilities, networking means that you will meet people that may be influential and may ‘open doors’, attend industry networking events and make sure you have a LinkedIn account. All are ways to amplify the message of who you are and what you’re about.
We hope these tips are helpful and enable you to have a clearer image in your mind of what an engineering company, or indeed any company in any sector expects. This can be applicable to any sector as the key fundamentals are broadly speaking, about highlighting your uniqueness and the experience and skills that make you the ideal candidate.
You need to make sure that before, during and after you begin the employment journey; you are thinking about what you can do to make yourself the most appealing to each individual prospective employer. You need to identify and focus on your competitive edge through a combination of key skills, work experience, voluntary experience and extra-curricular. It is the combination of all of these facts that builds the story of who you are and what you can potentially bring to a company. Always communicate to a high standard from the beginning. You may only get one initial chance so sell sell sell yourself. Always be confident and be totally prepared for any interview, meeting or conversation.
Finally….start as you mean to go on. Be enthusiastic, hardworking and motivated!!
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GAME Engineering Ltd
Camp Road
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