Undergraduate Engineer Review

Two days a week in university, three days a week working in the workplace. These are rotations in the first two years, and then a placement team for the final two years. Working on projects in either research, design or development, depending on specialisation and chosen team. Day to day can consist of team meetings, project meetings, planning meetings, technical reviews and more.

Yes - by the end of the course, BEng in Engineering and Level 6 Product Design and Development Apprenticeship. Internal training to help with workplace teams in CAD, workshop training, electrical safety, cyber security, electronics inductions, solder training, computer language learning (as required), leadership training (as part of SU equivalent) as well as anything needed day to day.

I enjoy work, and feel part of a work team. The company is a young company generally, which works for undergrads fitting into work teams, as there's also a lot of other early careers with interns, graduates and apprentices. First proper experience of engineering workplace, so not got a massive comparison, but enjoyable.

Varied - some parts are very well structured, such as the workplace support. The degree side can be slightly less well organised, often from the training provider's side (currently Warwick University, however this changed from 2021 entry to being the Dyson Institute). Most issues are resolved eventually, just there is sometimes initial struggles.

A lot. The Institute deals purely with our course, and there's 1:1 with Student Support Advisors, at least monthly, or as needed, as well as further support if required with things like disabilities/diagnoses. In the workplace, there's support from line managers, who often also act as technical mentors, or sometimes you have a separate technical mentor.

Very receptive to questions, and good at responding. Can vary from lecturer to lecturer as to academic support, some are easier to ask questions to than others, however I suspect this is always the case. The apprenticeship receives some support from provider, and some line managers are very knowledgeable and keen to help where possible.

Getting more formal training as we otherwise only have A levels as our technical background. Some theory is relevant, however a lot can be quite abstract and only used in very specific roles. There's a lot of on the job learning with things needed for different work teams in the business.

Yes, we have a committee that acts like an SU, as well as early careers networks. There are many clubs to get involved in, for things like activity weekends away, music clubs, or sports clubs like Football club. The company as a whole also has activities such as cycling club.

Yes

Hard work, but worth it for the experience, and work experience gained throughout. Supportive environment, so when it's hard there's help around. I've enjoyed it, and would do it again, I enjoy what I do, and think it'll help me make more informed choices about my future career.

You don't have to know everything coming in, if you did there'd be no point. Showing an interest and enthusiasm for engineering is important, as well as being willing to give things a go, you can learn a lot of workplace skills here, and also experience a wide range of industry possibilities.