Automotive Engineering - Experience?

[Poko]

Hey all,

I'm currently doing my 1st year in automotive engineering (BEng) and just after people's opinions and suggestions for any ideas on what experience I could get to help me with my future career / create an appealing CV?

As I'm still only on my 1st year, I don't have any real world engineering know how; even less with any automotive side - but I am keen.
I'm thinking of volunteering at a local garage, doing odd jobs and hopefully be able to shadow / do small jobs (I consider myself to be very slightly mechanically competent; so would want to learn a lot more and how each component works / how to fix it!)

I'm looking for any sort of summer work too, but can't see any engineering firm even considering a 1st year; seeing as I don't really know much!

Are there any suggestions or routes I could take to learn?

[Ultuous]

Poko said:

I'm looking for any sort of summer work too, but can't see any engineering firm even considering a 1st year; seeing as I don't really know much!

Just go for it - TBH, something they don't tend to tell you at uni is that it's quite possible to spend a lifetime working 'in engineering' without using anything you learned on your degree...

Even if you end up doing, say... 'technical admin' work for a summer, it can give you an understanding of how major projects are run that will put you in good stead for grad position one day!

[blank]

There are plenty of places that will do summer internships - Where are you based? Uni and home.


Are you on a course that offers a sandwich placement? If not, see if you can turn it in to one!


An industrial placement is by far the most important part of an engineering degree IMO.

[Poko]

Cheers for the comments,

I'll look into all the firms local to me anyway, worth a shot!

I'm uni based in Brighton; and home (therefore summer) is SE Kent.
I'm certain I want to do a placement - which is actually one reason why I want experience! (To help get a good placement when it comes to looking early next year)

[rog007]

One option is to locate your nearest DTUS, OTC or TA unit and attempt to join the REME or RLC. It's TA so done in your spare time. Not only will you get some of the competencies you seek, but a whole heap of other relevant and highly prized by employer skills, including self resilience, discipline, smartness and commitment. And the best bit...you get paid! Good luck!

[GroundEffect]

Formula Student.

Seriously, it really helps. Also, an internship is mandatory.

[cossey]

I can't really help with summer placement (it is quiet rare for us to offer them as they are usually to much trouble) but Delphi in Gillingham do sandwich placements for about 20 students a year for between 2nd an 3rd year

[Cyder]

GroundEffect said:

Formula Student.

Seriously, it really helps. Also, an internship is mandatory.

It is very useful but get other experience outside of Formula Student as well, according to guys I know that interview grads every automotive type and his dog was the chief designer on "Any University's FS team 20XX" and isn't really all that relevant to the real world of automotive engineering.

Try getting involved with a local motorsport team/restore an old car or something like that?

[wobert]

Poko said:

Cheers for the comments,

I'll look into all the firms local to me anyway, worth a shot!

I'm uni based in Brighton; and home (therefore summer) is SE Kent.
I'm certain I want to do a placement - which is actually one reason why I want experience! (To help get a good placement when it comes to looking early next year)

Ricardo at Shoreham maybe worth contacting - depending on whether you are interested in engine design / development?

[Frik]

Cyder said:

It is very useful but get other experience outside of Formula Student as well, according to guys I know that interview grads every automotive type and his dog was the chief designer on "Any University's FS team 20XX" and isn't really all that relevant to the real world of automotive engineering.

Try getting involved with a local motorsport team/restore an old car or something like that?

Whilst I disagree with the hilighted sentence, it's true that everyone does it, so it doesn't mark you out as unique.

You're near Brands Hatch. Why not turn up on a day when there's some club racing going on and asking if anyone wants a hand spannering?

[Cyder]

Frik said:

Cyder said:

It is very useful but get other experience outside of Formula Student as well, according to guys I know that interview grads every automotive type and his dog was the chief designer on "Any University's FS team 20XX" and isn't really all that relevant to the real world of automotive engineering.

Try getting involved with a local motorsport team/restore an old car or something like that?

Whilst I disagree with the hilighted sentence, it's true that everyone does it, so it doesn't mark you out as unique.

My point about the relevance was rather flippant, but my experience is that of maybe 30-40 new grads at our place this year I'd wager very few if any are using anything they've learnt through working on FS. Perhaps the greatest benefit is learning how to work cross-functionally and with other people.

Certainly it isn't a bad thing to do, but you are quite right that it doesn't mark you out as unique.

I'd say the Industrial Placement is the most useful thing you can do.

[Poko]

Once again, thanks for all the comments!

Annoyingly, my uni doesn't do Formula Student - so that's out of the question.

I'm not sure the TA is me at all.. I've been around the military all my life (Air Cadets, family etc) and it really isn't for me.

I like the idea of helping out someone at Brands very much, and will have to go down and see what I can do once term finishes.. (Don't suppose anyone reading this needs anyone? )

As for Ricardo; it crossed my mind - but since I only have 6 weeks left here, I think it's too late now - But I'll keep it in mind for next year..

I'll have a look for engineering type firms local to me, and send out a few emails! Since I have a good 2 months break for Summer, I would love to do something like this... (Don't suppose anyone knows any preferably automotive engineering type firms in SE Kent?)

I'm definitely doing an industrial placement, which I'll look into a lot more next year obviously - But I'm still up for experience before that, to help me get the best placement!

[daveevans]

You might as well try for Ricardo (I work for them!), you never know! A lot can happen in 6 weeks! I could probably give you the right person to contact, however I can't do much for you from there.

[Otispunkmeyer]

daveevans said:

You might as well try for Ricardo (I work for them!), you never know! A lot can happen in 6 weeks! I could probably give you the right person to contact, however I can't do much for you from there.

I know a couple of guys who did placements at Ricardo... certainly a good place to try if you are interested!

its worth just hitting up all the usual suspects too and see what happens. I think JLR do internships and I think Mahle power train do as well. These guys are more midlands based, but thats where a lot of car/engine/motorsport is based.

[Poko]

daveevans said:

You might as well try for Ricardo (I work for them!), you never know! A lot can happen in 6 weeks! I could probably give you the right person to contact, however I can't do much for you from there.

That would be much appreciated!
Wouldn't hurt to see if there's anything I can do!

[daveevans]

Drop me a mail/PM

[wobert]

Another place worth trying is Powertrain Technology also in Shoreham. They are all ex-Ricardo people, most of whom I worked with during my time at Bridge Works.

[Johnson SE]

Its a shame you don't finish sooner as I have a tech going into hospital who will be out of action for 2 months as of Thursday.

Could have done with some help...unless of course you aren't full time and have some spare time in the week.

Drop me a message if you like. The workshop is in Gatwick area and can pretty much guarantee an interesting environment.

[Poko]

Have sent Ricardo an email; and Johnson SE - YHM!

Will look into Powertrain Technology, cheers!

(Love PH for this, really appreciate all the suggestions everyone's taken the time to give me!)

[Poko]

Just a quick bump to this..

I took Johnson SE's offer up and it was excellent; but I've moved back to my parents place for the summer and so I'm now stuck in SE Kent..

I don't suppose anyone knows of any automotive related companies to contact in the SE Kent area? Ashford / Canterbury area ideally?
I'm happy to work voluntarily for the experience, but I'm struggling pretty badly with money; so frustratingly anything un-paid would have to be fairly close to me..

If anyone has any ideas I would be grateful. I'm looking for a summer job, but something in this sector would be ideal (albeit unlikely!)