Undergraduate Engineer Review

Working at a global technology company on real, live engineering projects alongside studying for a Bachelors Degree in Engineering. Three days of the week are spent in the workplace, where I'm treated as a real contributor to the team, solving problems that have a real-world impact (perhaps designing a feature in a new product, researching a tool to aid with development or even developing code for the connected mobile app). The other two days are spent studying - with a full day of live lectures and a day of self study and consolidation.

My skills, both hard and soft, in relation to engineering and collaboration have been greatly developed. I have gained skills in computer aided design, programming, sketching, electronics, mechanics, maths, alongside teamwork, professional communication and problem solving.

Very much so - you have the freedom to choose which team you would like to spend 2 out of the 4 years working in, alongside being able to select your academic stream, thus being able to spend time doing stuff you really enjoy. The rotations throughout the engineering side of the business (6 placements in the first 2 years) give a brilliant overview of different projects, ways of working and technical knowledge, enabling the opportunity to try something that you may not have though you might have liked, as well as developing a wide gamut of useful skills.

The programme is nicely structured, with 3 days of the week in the workplace and 2 days studying. In the first two years, there are a total of 6 rotations across research, design and development at Dyson, one in each of Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, New Product Innovation (the earliest stage of product development), and two in Research. In the final two years, you can choose a team to spend the full duration with, as well as being able to choose more specialist academic modules to complement.

There is a great deal of support, through a variety of avenues. On the workplace side, you have your line manager and mentor, for help and guidance with your project and work issues. Through the Dyson Institute, I have 1-to-1 meetings with my Student Support Adviser every month to catch up on my wellbeing and development, alongside dedicated Wellbeing and Development days throughout the year. Academic staff at the Dyson Institute offer support with the academic modules as well as any technical aspects of work, and there are fortnightly mandatory in-person tutorials. There is also support from the company as a whole, such as HR and employee assistance programmes.

The University of Warwick is helpful with supporting the academic side, with lecturers being only a message away. Additionally, my apprenticeship tutor is incredibly helpful at guiding me through the process, with regular meetings. Unfortunately, as the lectures are currently online due to COVID-19, the lecturers aren't travelling to Dyson and thus, combined with the fact that Coventry is a fair distance away (even in normal times), I don't benefit from much physical resources or support from Warwick. Additionally, there is sometimes issues with communication between all parties. However, the Dyson Institute academic team and resources more than make up for most of this.

My Bachelors of Engineering degree greatly helps me to perform better in my role. I am able to learn concepts that I almost simultaneously apply in the workplace. I also sometimes refer to textbooks, notes and other material to help me with solving issues I experience in the workplace. The Apprenticeship qualification aspect helps to drive forward professional development by formalising criteria in the form of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours that I can reference to track my progress and development both academically and professionally. Sometimes there are topics that are missing that could maybe be included, and sometimes you do work that could benefit from the module that is yet to be taught, however such are the limits of working whilst learning, and often you end up understanding more by picking it up on the job - teaching it to yourself - before being taught it in a formal setting in lectures.

There are extra-curricular activities at work, both through Dyson as a whole, and The Dyson Institute more specifically. I enjoy making use of the free onsite sports centre and gym, the Dyson Cycling Club, the LGBT+ Network, the Bonsai Tree Society as well as a large number of events put on by Dyson, such as the legendary Christmas and Summer Parties, as well as talks such as from white hat hackers to chocolate companies. There are cooking classes with the head chef (and personal chef to James Dyson), and I have been involved with a board game club with my colleagues. A large number of events and clubs are organised by the undergraduate social team at the Dyson Institute, such as fortnightly day trips/nights out to Bristol and Bath (via free coach services), a Surf Club (with frequent trips to neighbouring beaches in Wales, Devon and Cornwall), a Games Club, as well as pizza nights, and pub crawls. Unfortunately do to its size and location, there is limited provision for competitive sports teams, however there are efforts being made to improve this.

Yes

It is a truly unique offering, and an opportunity not to be missed. Being able to earn a decent salary whilst studying for a degree, as well as working on creating pioneering products is incredible. Although fast paced and hard work, it can be really rewarding.

Take each stage of the application as it comes - it can be long and tough, but it is worth it in the end. Give it your best shot.