Work experience with a Civil Eng contractor as a graduate?

breadmonkey

Hi,

I'm travelling at the moment and will be returning to Ireland at the beginning of March and I'm trying to get some sort of plan into my head as regards my future.

I graduated last June without ever having set foot on site (I know). In the summer before final year I did a three month work experience in a design office which didn't exactly set my world on fire and I pretty much decided that I didn't want to go down that road. I have a gut feeling, nothing more, that I'd like to work on site but I see myself as pretty much unemployable in that respect given that I have zero experience. I would also like to do some sort of masters before starting a "career" as I've been told many times that it's much harder to go back and do it after working for a couple of years. Plus it would be a handy way to weather the current economic climate and emerge better educated and employable.

So with that in mind, I have the vague idea of trying to get a work placement with a contractor when I get home for a couple of months to get a taste for that side of the industry. I don't want to apply for a graduate position as I don't think I'd be a suitable candidate and even if I was I don't want to be sewn into a job that I may not even like. Meanwhile, I will hopefully be able to apply for a few masters courses and have the option of starting one next September.

I guess my main question then is: do I have a hope in hell of getting a work placement given the ongoing financial crisis? I suppose what I have going for me is that I did get a first in the degree and have a very good academic record in general. I know that's not the be all and end all but it's a start, right?

Any insight appreciated.

Irjudge1

It's going to be tough I'm afraid. You may have to offer your services for little or nothing. Doing the masters is a good idea. Things are going to be quiet for quite some time.