Undergraduate Sustainability Engineer Review

I work as an engineer in Dyson's Sustainability team. Working on real life projects 3 days a week whilst studying for an engineering degree the other two (and sometimes at the weekends!) I have been in this team 1.5 years, previously doing rotations around RDD (in software, electronics hardware, fluids and new product innovation to name a few).

Yes, over 3.5 years at Dyson I have learnt lots of skills. Soft skills in creating and presenting presentations, reviewing project work and interacting with a professional team day to day. Alongside the more technical skills such as electronics, software and CAD. They really make sure you do all of it in your rotations. I then chose to join the sustainability team, in which I have learnt lots about working in Sustainability.

The people at the Dyson Institute really make the programme. The staff working on facilitating your degree are always on hand to chat about how you think things could be done differently, and they try and make the rigorous programme as comfortable as possible for you. I find the teaching and academic content quite tricky and stressful at times.

It is well structured in that we get a degree and an apprenticeship in 4 years whilst also having a job - its a lot to squeeze in and it works quite well. It has improved over my 3 years here, but the course can feel a bit disorganised at times as its so new and things are always changing, however this does allow students to have their say on how the course should be run/what the student experience is like.

We have a manager to support us in our workplace roles, a Student Support Advisor (who we catch up with at least monthly) to guide us through the course, academic staff to help with the degree as well as an apprenticeship tutor for the apprenticeship side of things so I would say that all bases are covered!

The lecturers are always on hand to answer questions (though this is remote, as they are based in Warwick, not Malmesbury), and they do lectures for us. They are generally good with providing the course materials when required. There have been quite a few circumstances when coursework feedback has been submitted late which is frustrating.

Group coursework help to prepare us for working on team projects in our outside role and so does writing up technical reports which we are often asked to do for our courseworks. Its hard to get the content to match up perfectly to the work you are doing as everyone is in a different team, but it sometimes is relevant.

Yes, there is an Undergraduate experience committee which is run by students. The social team run lots of events and there are a few different clubs such as big band and adventure society. We have a ski trip every year (COVID permitting). there are also Dyson wide clubs and some social events. Although Dyson is located in the small town of Malmesbury you can still have a good social life - moving to Bristol helps with this as well.

Yes

Its a great opportunity to study for a free degree at a globally known technology company. You work in all different teams across research, design and development and get exposure to high up people who work in the company. They also support you in getting a god job role in the company when you finish your degree, though there is no obligation to stay (but you'll want to!)

Be yourself, its not worth going if you don't actually think you are a good fit for the company, and they will be able to tell that in the interview. I would say make sure you focus on the things that make you different (and how they apply to working at Dyson) as well as your academic strengths.