Mechanical Design Engineer Review

Daily tasks mainly consist of producing CAD design of machinery using Autodesk programmes such as inventor and AutoCAD. On my current project we make sure there is lots of communication and support systems with in the team and to ensure this we have regular virtual meetings using Microsoft teams as we are currently all working from home during the pandemic.

I have developed on existing skills and learnt many new skills during my apprenticeship. I have gained a lot of knowledge of general maintenance, general health and safety including regulations such as Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and Display Screen Equipment Regulations. I have also gained an appreciation for electrical engineering as well as undergoing CAD training.

Although a lot of my apprenticeship experience has been during a global pandemic, I feel my company has dealt with this well. Introducing Microsoft teams to the company, I feel has been completely fundamental in keeping the moral. Regular team meetings over video has made it so that we don't feel completely isolated at home, although it may feel like that sometimes. Its easy to have good days and bad days when working from home.

although day to day, I enjoy my job sometimes there can be confusion regarding the structure of my apprenticeship and how well things are organised towards getting the apprenticeship completed, scheduling placements and getting sqep etc. For example, I have been needing training for a few months now but nothing seems to be organised, rumours that there isnt funding funding for it or whether it is due to the pandemic, I don't know but I think things such as this need to be prioritsed.

I receive a lot of support from some and perhaps not enough support from others, I find those with the truest of intensions provide the most valuable help and support. Sometimes it can feel like some people in company maybe are 'all talk' when it comes to support and I do feel like its something my company could improve on. For example, sometimes mentors are perhaps only mentors so that it benefits them (something to put on their CV etc). Although they can be preoccupied with their own work issues, when your issues are made to feel unimportant or not urgent, it isn't always a nice feeling.

I get support from my training provider whenever I need it as long as I reach out to them. Sometimes when I find a task difficult, it can be hard to get the right kind of support but being honest and communicating how you feel and what you are struggling with normally cleans things up.

I feel like a lot of my qualification at the moment is very generic and a lot of it does cross over and come in handy in my day to day job such as health and safety and mechanical principles. However the more specific things I learn on the job I have found more valuable. As my course carries on I expect this opinion to change as I learn more.

Yes, I find there are ample extra curricular activities to get involved in at my work. Stem ambassador roles, stem events, networks to get involved in, some specifically for young engineers and more. I find that its very valuable to get involved in things like these as its good for your professional career to network.

Yes

Cavendish does offer a lot of good opportunities if you're willing to work for them. The sense of community at cavendish nuclear is also brilliant, everyone is friendly, kind and supportive. Through out the pandemic, cavendish employees have continued to work well together and cavendish have offered lots of support through out the pandemic which i think is commendable.

research the company before applying, tailor your cv to their application. Always be yourself and don't try to be someone else during the application process and interview because when someone isn't being their authentic or genuine self, it is easy to see through. It's also okay to be nervous, just take deep breaths.