1st year engineering student - work placement?

Captain Slow IRL

Hi all,

I'm currently doing my first year of mech eng and was wondering if it would be worth my while to try and get work placement with someone for over the summer?

Would it be pointless while I'm still fresh, what I mean is would employers even bother with me?!

Thanks,
Tom

kevohmsford

Getting a few weeks in an engineering company over the summer for experience would be ideal. Best thing is to ring around a few companies, maybe local engineering firms and see if they would take you on for a bit.
This is the one thing I regret when I was doing my undergrad. I should have gotten summer experience in a company. It will really help when you graduate and make you stand out from other graduates.

Captain Slow IRL

I'm a bit new with this; undergrad is the term I am using to describe myself at present?!

Is there any pay associated with these placements, do you know?

josealdo

where are you based ?

Captain Slow IRL

Ballina, Co. Mayo

godtabh

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

I'm a bit new with this; undergrad is the term I am using to describe myself at present?!

Is there any pay associated with these placements, do you know?

If you are lucky you may get paid but dont expect it. Speak to you college about local firms you could contact

twinings

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

Ballina, Co. Mayo

Only a suggestion but close to Ballina is Corrib oil and gas - it would be an excellent opportunity if you could get in there... shell operate the terminal and there are several construction management teams working in the facility with on-going projects..... and I know the CM team use some local contractors on site, so you could do some snooping around.

In response to your initial question... ' would it be pointless ' ..... the key to any skill is experience and you need it in droves to succeed in engineering. Its so important to have some experience starting off, i have never got a job based on anything else other than previous experience........Don't think of it as you being 'fresh' and employers not bothering. Consider your situation as you not having any bad habits and being very eager to learn!!

Employers always think of work experience students from there point of view and what they can gain... all you have to do is convince them they need you.. not an easy task to find an employer but i would suggest starting now and researching people you know in the industry... its all about who you know

josealdo

It wouldn't be pointless ,it would be great for you to get experience at this stage ,

Captain Slow IRL

Thanks for the replies, ye've been more than helpful.

Civil Eng

My advice...... get as much experience as you can - even during your undergrad years. It will help you get a flavour for the practical side of engineering and it will also give you a good steer when it comes to chosing your elective subjects nearer the end of your course.

One of the regrets I had when I left college was that I wasn't really sure what area of engineering I wanted to pursue. Had I had some more experience during my undergrad years it is likely that it would have given me better direction.

Another point, don't follow the money..... follow the area of engineering that you're really passionate for.

Captain Slow IRL

This was something else I was thinking about, I'm gonna have to get 1 of the lecturers to have a chat to give me a better idea of what I want or would be good at.