Career Acceleration Starts Before You Graduate!

In today's competitive job market, setting yourself up for a successful engineering career begins long before you walk across that graduation stage. It's essential to realise that the decisions and actions you take early on can significantly impact the trajectory of your career acceleration. Let's delve into some key strategies and factors that can help you jumpstart your engineering career way before you graduate.

Summer Work Experiences and Hobbies: More Than Just Pastimes

Summer Work Experiences

Internships, summer work experiences, and part-time jobs can be the gateway to accelerating your engineering career. These opportunities provide invaluable real-world insights, practical skills, and professional networks early on. Whether it's working in a research lab, assisting with engineering projects, or gaining hands-on experience in a relevant field, every summer job contributes to your growth as an aspiring engineer.

All universities have international networks and partnerships that are there for you to take advantage of. If you talk to your university about the available global opportunities that you could go on, they will give you a whole list of options to look at. Instead of just relaxing at home over the summer holidays, why not get sent to Australia, China, or the USA to get some work experience and have a life changing experience. An example of an organisation that offers these types of internships is Pagoda Projects. Another source is an engineering institution like the IMechE that offer volunteering roles you could get involved in.

Relevant Hobbies and Transferable Skills

Believe it or not, your hobbies can also play a crucial role in career acceleration. Engaging in hobbies related to engineering, such as robotics, coding, or design projects, not only demonstrates your passion for the field but also helps you develop transferable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. Employers value candidates with a diverse skill set, and your hobbies can set you apart from the competition. Hobbies like:

• Scuba Diving

• Formula Student

• Robotics and Creating things with Raspberry Pi

• Using welding equipment

• DIY projects at home such as electrical systems, and the plumbing,

• Fixing your parent's vehicles.

• Building model structures.

• Creating design projects and 3D printing your components.

These are hobbies that all engineers can find an interest in and most importantly they can be used to your advantage when it comes to beefing up your practical expeirence. This is especially important for Engineers that did not or could not secure a work placement during their degree. I cannot stress how advantageous it is to be able to talk about how the knowledge you gained as a scuba diver using pressure vessels, breathing equipment, and dealing with compressibility and buoyancy problems can be applied to roles in the shipbuilding or biomedical industries for example. The hobby that you choosem should allign with the industry that you want to end up in, this is all part of the Six-figure Engineer strategy. By the way, this type strategic thinking for your own career is also applicable to strategic thinking within a business in a role like operations management or Engineering Director.

Mindset Makeover: Thinking Like an Engineer

Engineering is not just about technical know-how; it's a mindset. Cultivating an engineer's mindset involves thinking critically, approaching challenges analytically, and striving for continuous improvement. By honing your problem-solving skills, embracing innovation, and maintaining a growth mindset, you will be better equipped to tackle complex engineering problems and adapt to evolving industry demands.

Thinking like an Engineer begins at home. When you see the products in your household, do you often think about how they could be improved? What materials are used to create the various products in your household and how does that align with their uses and safety requirements? How certain geometries are manufactured? What dictates the placement of systems and components throughout your car? Engineers are supposed to be curious. We are supposed to ask questions to solve problems or invent things! Read more on the differences between being an Engineer and being a Technician here.

Year in Industry Placements: A Game-Changer

Undertaking a year in industry placement during your university studies can be a game-changer in propelling your career forward. These placements provide a deep dive into a specific industry, allowing you to gain hands-on experience, build professional relationships, and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. The insights and skills gained during a year in industry can significantly boost your employability and open doors to exciting career opportunities.

I have seen graduate engineer after graduate engineer, enter the workforce and be completely confused about why they are in the indsutry that they are in, why they are in this job role, where they are going in life, and what it means to be an engineer. This confusion can hold many people back a decade of what could have be an accerlated career. Securing a placement year not only increases your employability but adds to your ability to think strategically about your career progression, and get a taste of the day to day duties of an Engineer.

The Power of Module Selection and Grades

The modules you choose during your academic journey can shape your engineering career path. Opting for modules that align with your career goals, interests, and industry trends can provide you with specialised knowledge and relevant skills sought after by employers. Additionally, maintaining high grades not only showcases your academic prowess but also demonstrates your commitment to excellence and attention to detail. A strong academic performance can set you on the fast track to career success.

University students in the UK often see their first year as "throw away" years. DO NOT DO THAT. Treat your first year of university with respect because it will decide how favourably the university looks upon you when giving out opportunities for placements, summer internships, as well as taking part in study-abroad exchange programmes. When I was at university, it was because of how high my grades were that I was allowed to do both a year in industry and study abroad. This multiplied my experiences and the development of my mindset. I was not only able to add to a large list of things I could bring to a company when i graduated but also, coming away with incredible life experiences that set me up for a future working internationally.

Module selection is an important part of your Six-figure Engineer early strategy. To select modules, you should decide which of the following core engineering roles you would be most interested in:

• A Design Engineer

• A Manufacturing or Construction Engineer

• A Systems Engineer

• A Safety & Environmental Compliance or Quality Assurance Engineer

These core roles are further decomposed into industry specific titles. You should then check out the job description of those roles within the industries you want to work in and from those descriptions, decide which modules will give you the early advantage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, accelerating your engineering career starts long before you graduate. By leveraging relevant summer work experiences, cultivating transferable skills through hobbies, developing an engineer's mindset, undertaking year in industry placements, making strategic module choices, and striving for academic excellence, you can set yourself up for success in the competitive world of engineering.

As professionals in the engineering field, it's crucial to embrace a proactive approach to career development and constantly seek opportunities for growth and advancement. By laying a solid foundation early on and adopting a forward-thinking mindset, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling engineering career.

** Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the author of this post, on this blog and community are solely his own and do not reflect the views of any past, present, or future employers or any other organisations with which he is associated. The content here is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. **