Pass degree...bleh

Mr.Plough

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before.

I was just wondering how useful(or less) a pass degree in Mechanical & manufacturing Engineering would be. I'm in my fourth year now and due to problems I've had with my final year project (which is worth 25% of the degree), It's looking likely that a pass is what I'll receive, maybe a 2.2 if I pull off some sort of miracle.

I know this will hinder me when I'm job hunting but by how much? I've read elsewhere regarding other careers that you really want a 2.1 minimum. Does this apply to the engineering sector as there's generally a higher demand for engineers?

I've thought about further education and there is a Masters Degree in CAMME in dcu which I've thought about. It has a 2.2 requirement but you can enter a graduate diploma course if you havn't got a 2.2, and you get transferred into the Masters course if you have an average of >%55 halfway through. Would this be worth doing? Or would an employer still just see the pass degree and toss my cv into the "If we can't find anyone else" pile?

Basically I'm worried about my career prospects so any advice/information would be helpful. No need to sugarcoat.

Thanks.

I graduated last year and from looking at the final results, around 80 - 90% of people got a II.2 minimum (that's Trinity). Once you get a job, you'll be grand since it will depend on experience then.

Question is, do you have experience as well? That's, arguably, more important than results.

Mr.Plough

I have 6months full time work experience where I worked in Intel in 3rd year as part of the INTRA module. I received an overall mark of 73-75%, not quite sure but it was over 70 and would be able to get a reference. The thing is though when I was working at Intel my work wasn't really Mechanical engineering related, more so Computer networking than anything else.

daisy123

A third is still an honours degree btw (I think)

Darren1o1

Mr.Plough wrote: »

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before.

I was just wondering how useful(or less) a pass degree in Mechanical & manufacturing Engineering would be. I'm in my fourth year now and due to problems I've had with my final year project (which is worth 25% of the degree), It's looking likely that a pass is what I'll receive, maybe a 2.2 if I pull off some sort of miracle.

I know this will hinder me when I'm job hunting but by how much? I've read elsewhere regarding other careers that you really want a 2.1 minimum. Does this apply to the engineering sector as there's generally a higher demand for engineers?

I've thought about further education and there is a Masters Degree in CAMME in dcu which I've thought about. It has a 2.2 requirement but you can enter a graduate diploma course if you havn't got a 2.2, and you get transferred into the Masters course if you have an average of >%55 halfway through. Would this be worth doing? Or would an employer still just see the pass degree and toss my cv into the "If we can't find anyone else" pile?

Basically I'm worried about my career prospects so any advice/information would be helpful. No need to sugarcoat.

Thanks.

I have spoken to people in the previous cam class with pass degrees and most of who got jobs started as techs apposed to engineers. After experience you could move up but it would take time. With all of next yrs (if i am not mistaken) incoming eng students having to go to masters would be worthwhile probably upskilling now, and i believe (i have had friends on the course) the camme masters is quite sought after. Esp with jobs drying up it might be good. What was the problem with the FYP would it be worthwhile discussing it with your coodinator or head of school?

Mr.Plough

Darren1o1 wrote: »

I have spoken to people in the previous cam class with pass degrees and most of who got jobs started as techs apposed to engineers. After experience you could move up but it would take time. With all of next yrs (if i am not mistaken) incoming eng students having to go to masters would be worthwhile probably upskilling now, and i believe (i have had friends on the course) the camme masters is quite sought after. Esp with jobs drying up it might be good. What was the problem with the FYP would it be worthwhile discussing it with your coodinator or head of school?

The main problem I had was when I hit a stumbling block I would try to figure out how to solve the problem myself rather than just approaching my supervisor and asking for advice. So I ended up spending lots of time on problems which could have been resolved alot quicker, which resulted in me having alot less final results then I had planned.

I'm aware that this is my fault and I really resent not going to him earlier now.

Darren1o1

Mr.Plough wrote: »

The main problem I had was when I hit a stumbling block I would try to figure out how to solve the problem myself rather than just approaching my supervisor and asking for advice. So I ended up spending lots of time on problems which could have been resolved alot quicker, which resulted in me having alot less final results then I had planned.

I'm aware that this is my fault and I really resent not going to him earlier now.

I never completed all of which i had set out to do, but the main thing is to coordinate the effort over the next few months with your supervisor and get what results you can. I got pretty decent results. You could be surprised with a well written project how well you could do. Most supervisors sympathize to a point, with those who have worked hard but failed to get the results necessary. The main thing is to rally now and see what you can get done.

godtabh

Doesnt a pass degree also mean you cant get chartered as well?

Darren1o1

kearnsr wrote: »

Doesnt a pass degree also mean you cant get chartered as well?

True, you can get associate member I believe.

godtabh

Darren1o1 wrote: »

True, you can get associate member I believe.

I dont know how much it matters but I think it does if your are going for public jobs. If you tender for them I think who ever puts the tender has to be chartered so as alot of civil based companies go for more public works this will be important

Darren1o1

kearnsr wrote: »

I dont know how much it matters but I think it does if your are going for public jobs. If you tender for them I think who ever puts the tender has to be chartered so as alot of civil based companies go for more public works this will be important

Well you can get chartered i believe, just you have to pass tests to become a "full" member (MIEI) first before finally applying for charter as all the others with an Hons degree. I think his industry is more mechanical and manufacturing based where tbh it has little use other than pimping your name out.

godtabh

Darren1o1 wrote: »

Well you can get chartered i believe, just you have to pass tests to become a "full" member (MIEI) first before finally applying for charter as all the others with an Hons degree. I think his industry is more mechanical and manufacturing based where tbh it has little use other than pimping your name out.

To become a member if the IEI you just need to meet certain standards usually with a degree. I'm not sure what the standards are but I do know that if you want to be chartered you need a full degree.

Darren1o1

kearnsr wrote: »

To become a member if the IEI you just need to meet certain standards usually with a degree. I'm not sure what the standards are but I do know that if you want to be chartered you need a full degree.

You need to have a Hons degree to get full membership on graduation generally speaking (assuming your institution is recognised). However with experience and passing exams set by EI you can move up through the ranks. I am not certain of the requirements. Most people do not simply get C ENG either as i am aware require some sort or write up work and 4 years experience. This is similar.

This is all changing at the moment too. EI is setting the new standard for membership (MIEI) to masters under this bologna accord thingy. This brings us into line with our European (UK excluded) colleagues, who study for 5 years for a Diplom.