Undergraduate Engineer Review

3 days a week is in the workplace, for me this is working in New Product Innovation which is looking at early stage concepts and designs for new or new iterations of a product. Have worked on a variety of projects, often working with the team and other teams further downstream, ensuring work is passed on smoothly. Often includes CAD, rig building, lab testing and documentation/presentation

Yes! Most skills have been gained through the workplace, very directly in experience using CAD software, programming (mostly Matlab) and lab facilities. Then a large area of growth has been in communication/presentation skills and generally working in a professional environment! Appropriate training has been available and undertaken where appropriate

I really enjoy the team I'm in, quite a young and sociable team. This has been made a bit trickier due to COVID as less likely to interact with people but this is slowly coming back to normal. I enjoy the fast-paced/ ever-changing the company is but understand this isn't for everyone!

Workplace itself is well-organised, and separately the study side of things (ran by Warwick) is alright. But put the two together and that has caused a few clashes/ teething issues! Sometimes has led to some stressful periods but as it's a new programme we can often voice our concern and most of the time it will get sorted

Support is great, professionally from line manager and mentors - a lot more contact time than a normal employee I feel. Then separately have 'student support' which is incredible, and we have access to a lot more support avenues if we need to (mostly paid for as well). HR is also there, don't have as much interaction unless needed

Most lecturers are really helpful if we're stuck on something and usually are clear with assessments. Don't really have a tutor but as lectures are small, lectures are a lot more hands on and can easily ask questions. Don't really get much support towards the apprenticeship qualification

Haven't put much direct knowledge gained from lectures into practice in the workplace, however the overall background knowledge has definitely been useful (especially with electronics). Some modules have been very irrelevant to my work but good to get insight into other areas and appreciate how they work. Overall it works!

Yeah there's quite a lot around but sometimes need to do a bit more digging/ depends on the team. I'm quite fortunate in that my team are somewhat sociable so will occassionally have things going on. Work Christmas party is great. Lots of sports and onsite gym to get involved with

Yes

Although it's had its teething issues, definitely has developed me a lot as a person, professionally and personally. Not your usual uni experience, and sometimes I do wonder what it would have been like if I had gone the traditional way, but wouldn't change what I had chose to do!

If you're happy to missing out on the mad nights out and want to get stuck into the 'real world of work' and do something more useful/meaningful, then go for it! there's a lot more responsibility put on you and makes you much more independent but it's good fun. Don't stress about the interviews, if it's meant to happen it will!