Undergraduate Engineer Review

Working in different rotations, so each day can vary a lot. So far it has been anything from writing code in Python or MATLAB, creating electronic schematics, creating PCB layouts to using CAD software to design mechanical parts. There is also a lot of collaborative working, so time in meetings and back and forth emails.

I have become a lot more proficient at working within a team, as there are opportunities to work with others both at work and as part of the academics, in order to complete group coursework. I have also developed programming skills from A-levels in a professional setting and in university work.

Work is very enjoyable, projects are chosen to cover a range of different skills within the business and to be useful to the company. My team has been very friendly, offering help when needed and taking the time to explain new concepts. Academic work is engaging, and I have enjoyed learning new content.

The programme is very well structured in that we are able to go into a range of rotations across two years to be able to see a variety of roles within the company and then to settle into a team for the final two years. The academic programme follows this because the first two years are generalised and then we can specialise in the final two years.

There is a breadth of support available from Dyson, on each rotation we have a line manager, technical mentor along with other points of contact to reach out to if we need any help, such as other members of the team. There are also regular meetings available to discuss any issues as they arise.

The Dyson Institute provides a lot of support, there are always lecturers on hand to be able to answer any questions, or to go over content which I have been struggling with. There are also student support advisers, who we meet with monthly to check that everything is going well and if there is anything more they can do to help.

A lot of what we do directly relates to work, it may not be for everyone all the time but there is a lot that relates overall. For me a lot of the electronics lectures came in very useful at work, but I know that others have found different things useful.

There are a lot of different activities running all the time, some are run by the institute so are just students, and some are run by other employees at Dyson. For example, there is a football club run by students and then there is a Dyson wide cycling club which runs weekly rides.

Yes

It is a lot of work but the work is very rewarding and if you are wanting to do engineering then I do not know where else which would be quite as immersive. I enjoy being able to both study engineering and apply what I have learnt at work straight away.

Be honest, and show that you genuinely are passionate about engineering, they are putting a lot of time and money into making you a great engineer so they want to see that you are willing to put the effort in as well, but if you do it is incredibly worthwhile!