Work Experience for student Engineers

desertstorm

I'm currently in 2nd year Engineering and was wondering does anyone know the chances of getting summer work experience in any of the mech. engineering related companies?

I know this sort of thing is usually done in 3rd year or the summer between 3rd/4th year, but I'd really like to get into it as soon as possible

I may have a chance in BAE systems through some lucky contacts but considering they're in England and my chances are slim as it is, I'd like to get an idea of any alternative options?

Any help is appreciated!

experiMental

desertstorm wrote: »

I'm currently in 2nd year Engineering and was wondering does anyone know the chances of getting summer work experience in any of the mech. engineering related companies?

I know this sort of thing is usually done in 3rd year or the summer between 3rd/4th year, but I'd really like to get into it as soon as possible

I may have a chance in BAE systems through some lucky contacts but considering they're in England and my chances are slim as it is, I'd like to get an idea of any alternative options?

Any help is appreciated!

BAE Systems and Qinetiq generally don't hire people through contacts. You have to do an assessment test and apply using a standard CV and cover letter procedure. However, it can be possible to apply after second year.

CatFromHue

when I went to uni we did our work placement after second year.

So there are companies that hire 2nd year students.

Cant help with who they are through.

spideog7

experiMental wrote: »

BAE Systems and Qinetiq generally don't hire people through contacts. You have to do an assessment test and apply using a standard CV and cover letter procedure. However, it can be possible to apply after second year.

Maybe if you know the right people it might be no harm In my experience submitting CV's and doing assessment tests is a waste of time, they still won't get back to you.

I'd say BAE would be a good company to work for and experience will stand to you when you graduate, looking back now I wish I tried a bit harder to get more experience instead of just co-op.

desertstorm

Thanks for the replies,

Well by lucky contacts, they really just let me know they even had places for undergrads, didn't even know about the company till recently like

Would still like to find some places around Ireland if anyone has any ideas, or names of companies they got experience with?

Just found out today our coordinator emails us with a list of placements available for the summer sometime around March, so some options may open there

Want to get ahead of the crowd though:P

experiMental

spideog7 wrote: »

Maybe if you know the right people it might be no harm In my experience submitting CV's and doing assessment tests is a waste of time, they still won't get back to you.

I'd say BAE would be a good company to work for and experience will stand to you when you graduate, looking back now I wish I tried a bit harder to get more experience instead of just co-op.

When I applied to IBM last year, I haven't passed the assessment test and recruiters got back to me saying that I haven't passed and can't go through to the next round of selection. Similarly, BAE and Qinetiq (other company that is involved in engineering) will reply, because their recruitment personnel are paid to reply and write rejection letters. Any proper company that has specialist recruitment people will write how you did in application.

As for BAE, the only way to apply for it is through Milkround.com, you have to go through standard hiring procedure as mentioned in their website. They do it to ensure fairness in application.

spideog7

experiMental wrote: »

Similarly, BAE and Qinetiq (other company that is involved in engineering) will reply, because their recruitment personnel are paid to reply and write rejection letters. Any proper company that has specialist recruitment people will write how you did in application.

I'd like to believe this but it just isn't true. I've applied to many, many "big" companies (including BAE) who never ever got back to me, not so much as a PFO. I often wonder why they pay these recruitment personnel if they couldn't even be bothered replying to me. I mean I spend 20 to 30 minutes filling out their stupid online assessments and they couldn't even be bothered to write me an email.

If I as an engineer was to be that inept at my job I'd get fired. I'm sorry but I have no time for recruitment personnel, my experience is that they are a waste of time and space and if I ever had my own company I wouldn't give them a penny. </rant>

spideog7

To the OP you might actually get much better experience at a smaller company anyway. You often might work more closely with senior engineers and be able to get a good mix of tasks and responsibility. And any connections you might have in a smaller company will definitely be useful.