Undergraduate Engineer Review

The role comprises of working alongside skilled, professional engineers on solving new innovative problems within the consumer industry. We have the opportunity to learn in all the possible areas of engineering from part design and testing to software development. Days consist of regular team work, networking between teams and mastering new work based skills for the future.

Through this apprenticeship I've been able to learn a multitude of new skills that are both applicable to my academic studies and within the work place, using a wide range of different software programs, from Matlab to C++, and CAD, the hard skills go along side with soft skills when communicating work within the team.

Everyday has provided a new opportunity to network, be challenged and build bridges between colleagues fellow apprentices. Having the first year be living onsite in the village has allowed for a really cohesive experience where we can collaborate and work on problems together. This programme has been so cleverly designed to provide a supportive but challenging and engaging time that is so inspiring and exciting.

The programme consists of 3 days in the workplace working on real engineering problems and products that could potentially be released, where we are given similar responsibilities of the team we are working in, and being challenged on ideas and concepts beyond our understanding. We then do 2 days of study and lectures where we complete the degree side of the course.

We receive as much and as little support as we want from our employer, there is plenty of support in place for us and it just depends on how we choose to take it. They provide a whole range on in work training, as well as social and personal support.

The institute provides plenty of support, with enough lectures on hand to ask them questions and get answers quickly outside of lectures. With them being in the workplace and working where we are, we are able to have a far more cohesive level of support. As well as that we are regularly informed on changes and kept well up to date with regular meetings and a student body.

So far at the beginning of the course the work within lectures has not been too assisting when improving performance within my work role as the work I am completing is more high level than lectures, however, I am beginning to make connections with what I am learning in lectures.

In the institute there are a plethora of activities to get involved in, from nights out to Bristol provided with the free bus, to the activities put on by different societies that keep weekends always interesting. The UEC is a well managed board that works hard to ensure the Institute is as much like a university experience as it is a full time job.

Yes

Since joining the Institute I have been exposed to a world of engineering that I thought did not exist, the desire to create highly skilled engineers pushes you to want to perform at your best, whilst still receiving enough support that you won't feel too out of depth. The people at Dyson are so friendly and open, and with all having a common goal everyone wants to work together in an environment that is competitive but not toxic.

When applying to the institute I would recommend building up a solid CV/Personal statement with engineering skills and experience, this means going out and getting as much work experience or diving into challenges within school that expose you to all varying types of work and pressures. This makes you a well rounded person as you can learn from all these opportunities and that gives you transferable skills perfect for going straight into work.