Industrial Placement - Preparation for Success
Given the choice between a graduate with industrial experience and a graduate with no industrial experience, any employer is more likely to choose the experienced graduate. This is particularly important given that most engineering students enter university directly from school and do not and therefore possess the skills necessary to carry out an industrially based work position.
This scenario emphasises the vital importance of a good industrial placement as an integral part of an engineering degree. There is no doubt that students who do not undergo an industrial placement are less likely to find employment than those with industrial experience.
Commonly, universities leave the task of finding an industrial placement entirely to the student. The consequence of this is that the student is poorly prepared to make a job application and, in the event of an interview, is not able to present themself in the best light. Also, because many companies have built up long-term relationships with specific universities the individual applicant will often simply not be considered.
The solution to this problem lies in your careful selection of your university. Some universities approach the placement of students in industry in a highly serious and efficient manner. These universities employ full-time industrial placement officers whose task it is to assist the students in finding high-grade and challenging industrial placements. Also assistance can be given in preparation of job applications and in improvement of interview techniques.
Experience & Employment
These placements can be in a wide range of industry ranging from the large blue-chip companies to smaller companies as well as companies in all parts of the world. Placement officers will ensure that the students receive good work experience whilst on placement and that they receive formal visits from academic staff members to check on progress. Often an industrial placement leads to a highly relevant and challenging final year project, possible sponsorship and sometimes the offer of permanent employment. Some employers view the industrial placement as a year long interview!
Earning & Learning
An additional bonus of the industrial placement is the opportunity to earn some extra money whilst continuing with your academic career by. You will also interpret your final year degree subjects in a different way as a result of your industrial placement.
So if the objective of your studies at university is to obtain a good well-paid job after the successful completion of your degree then the sensible route to take is via a sandwich degree with a high quality industrial placement.
Author: Dr David Hall, University of Huddersfield
Science / Engineering courses / colleges
