So why are you here?

Anne WilsonHead of Careers

Some statistics Engineering has suffered in the recession with a drop in graduate opportunities and the number of graduates entering them. Numbers studying engineering have also declined in recent years

In 20011, Those companies listed in the top 100 graduate recruiters anticipate an increase in graduate jobs of just 0.2% Source; High Flyers Jan 2011#

However; There are notable shortages for engineering professionals in energy generation, utilities and security (Engineering Council UK, 2009)

As at 7th Feb, there were 104 Engineering Opportunities advertised on myAdvantage- jobs and industrial placements

All of which suggests:

It is important to understand how to maximise your chances of getting into engineering as a career (if that’s what you want to do)

It’s also important to have a plan B- or to look flexibly at how you could deploy the skills you are developing in other roles

You need to make the most of the resources at your disposal at Warwick to ensure the best outcome for you

Whatever your reason for being here, your Warwick studies will provide:

An engineering degree from a highly rated University

Subject knowledge

Ability to deal with complex technical detail*

Logical, Analytical and problem solving skills*

Numeracy and IT skills*

Project and time management experience*

What employers think…

In addition to a good degree, employers also expect top candidates to show that:

You know yourself – strengths, interests, priorities and that you have illustrative examples of each

You know them – their sector, market, competitive features, possible career paths, and the skills / competencies they look for

You have matched these in a thorough and convincing way

Graduate employers’ top priorities for employability: ‘generic graduate’ factors that

make the difference

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Analytical ability

Learning orientation

Creativity

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Self motivation

Flexibility & adaptability

Business acumen

Organisational skills

Energy, enthusiasm

Leadership

(taken from an analysis of 10,000 graduate vacancies)

These skills employers seek will not all be taught on your degree!

Warwick Advantage

This website will help you gather the evidence you need to prove yourself to graduate employers or for further study options

www.go.warwick.ac.uk/advantage

First destinations of 2009 Engineering grads

MEng (123 responses) BEng (55 responses)

So what do graduate Engineers from Warwick go on to do?

Examples of Engineering 2009 Graduate Destination Jobs

Engineering (54)• Graduate Engineer, Mott Macdonald• Energy Engineering Graduate, BP• Graduate Civil Engineer, Tubeline• Field Service Engineer for

Windpower, Seimens• Graduate Stress Engineer, Atkins• Business Processing Improver, GKN

Aerospace• Civil Engineer, Coatsin

IT (2)• Junior TextSupport Programmer• Hardware Design Engineer

Commercial, Industrial, Public sector(14)• Research and Innovation Assistant,

Akzonobel• Process Engineer, Mars• Global Graduate, IMI plc

Business and financial(10)• Analyst Consultant, Accenture• IT Graduate Analyst Citi

Retail, Hospitality and catering(11)• Duty Manager, Somerfield • Operation Analyst, John Lewis

Examples of 2009 Engineering Graduates’ further study

 

Professional

AccountancyChartered EngineeringGreen Belt in 6 Sigma and leanPGCE

PhDs

Engineering Material ScienceMedical PhysicsAtmospheric PhysicsMobile RoboticsCivil Engineering

Masters

Civil EngMechanical EngElectrical ConstructionBioengineeringEconomics and Management

The importance of work experience

35% of those graduates who successfully secured graduate job offers with recruiters in the Times top 100 had completed work experience with the same (engineering) employer. Source: High Flyers survey Jan 2011

Work experience is the single biggest factor which will increase your graduate employability.

Work Experience Vacancies & information

Vacancies database on myAdvantage– sign up for direct emailswww.prospects.ac.uk vacancies and job infoJob Search Advisers for Wexp strategiesDirectories – check for placement opportunitiesNewspapers and journalsFairs here, national, regionalNetworkingVoluntary work – Warwick VolunteersAgency work – UniTemps www.unitemps.co.uk InternshipsIntercalated year placementsSpecific Programmes e.g. STEP www.step.org.uk

Advice from current unemployed Warwick graduates:

•Use the careers service more•Undertake work experience / internship•Get more involved in student societies and extra-curricular activities•Start job hunting earlier•Study harder•Do more research•Write a better CV

When asked what the University could have done to help, 60% said “nothing”.  Additional comments were along the lines of “They provided the right support, I just didn’t use it.” 

Some really good things about engineering students

•You are the 4th highest users of our services overall

•The best represented at Careers Fairs- both Main Graduateand Engineering and |Technology Fairs

•And Warwick Students generally: Warwick is the second most popular University with larger graduate recruiters (after Cambridge)

•TARGET jobs quote

Support from the Careers CentreWhat we offer:

Drop in- in person, phone or e mailReferral to see relevant person to help youCareers Information – online and in the Careers HubApplications and NEW interview workshopsMock Interviews (need to be booked in person)Careers Fairs, Employer presentationsSkills workshops

What we are unable to offer:Jobs (we’re not a recruitment agency!)Lists of recommended employers Visa or immigration advice

Using myAdvantagehttp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/myadvantage

• To find out about events and to book places• To search for opportunities• To be notified about relevant

vacancies/internships• To book appointments• To screen out stuff you don’t want to know

about- customise your screen view

Careers Centre websitehttp://go.warwick.ac.uk/careers

Access information on:

Career PlanningKey Job SectorsMaking effective applicationsPreparing for interviews and Assessment CentresDepartmental webpages http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/departments/science/engug/

Careers Centre

We’re in University House, Ground Floor, Learning Grid

Telephone: 24748

Drop in: Help desk 10.00am to 6.00pm

E mail: careers@warwick.ac.uk

Andy Lloyd- Departmental Senior Careers Consultant• Departmental drop-in sessions• Sector event• Careers Guidance• Workshops and presentations

In summary, there are 6 ways to get the most out of your time at Warwick:

1. Get work experience – whether voluntary or paid

2. Get involved in extra curricular activities

3. Reflect on your skills and what you are learning

4. Use Student Careers and Skills

5. Develop your Skills through the USP programme

6. Get to know your strengths and motivations better – via Warwick Advantage

These approaches together, will make your studies really count in the graduate market – and also mean that you enjoy yourself to the full while

you are here.

Whatever you want…

Good Luck!

Remember – Student Careers and Skills is here to support you in:

working out where you want to be,

taking the steps you need to take to get there

What we can’t do, is find you a job – that’s down to you!