SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES Read student and graduate case studies from the School of Engineering
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
PLACEMENT CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 2 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected you in the workplace? One thing that I’ve found difficult with my new job is remote working. I started my job during total lockdown when all the offices were closed so resorted to getting to know my team over the course of a few months via odd phone calls. This made some of the days feel very long and like I was pestering people and not getting to gel with my colleagues. Now the offices have partially opened, and I can get in a couple of days a week to meet people formally, I feel much more settled and I’m glad I didn’t look to find something else straightaway. knowledge, so always be open to pick up any opportunities that come along.
CHRIS PYE GRADUATED WITH AN MENG MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN 2019 AND NOW WORKS AS A GRADUATE MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT STANTEC
The main focus of my job is providing mechanical design input for clean and wastewater sites, including networks (small pumping stations, sewer overflows etc.) and treatment works. The projects can be for various clients and have mainly been for United Utilities and Yorkshire Water. Stantec are part of a joint venture that works for United Utilities, including two other companies (MWH Treatment and Murphy’s) who I work closely with on projects whilst also engaging in meetings with stakeholders at the clients’ end. I also liaise with suppliers of equipment such as pump manufacturers, valve manufacturers etc. At the moment, I am office-based with the odd visit out to site but when we move out of the Covid world, I will get more opportunities to be on site and see some builds of my designs.
What tips would you give other students to improve their employability? Speak to family members who may work in or around the industry you’re thinking of. My internship came about via my brother’s friend and I would have never found it if I hadn’t spoken to him. Try and get involved with other students all the time whilst at uni whether that be societies/projects etc. You’d be surprised by how some engineers who haven’t got the ability to effectively talk to people really struggle to establish themselves in the workplace. This can even be done by getting a part-time job where you have to speak to people such as working in a coffee shop etc. It’s a skill that seriously helps the days run more smoothly when in work. In hindsight, I wish I had pushed myself to be more involved in uni with other people from my course. I think that I may have been able to find something like my current role a lot sooner if I had!
CAREERS IN MECHANICAL AND MARINE ENGINEERING
How did you secure your current role? I managed to get a summer placement in between my third and fourth year at university with United Utilities, which has proved invaluable for securing a job. I applied for quite a few jobs after finishing university and got through to final rounds a few times but never quite got the job. I was then contacted by a recruitment agency who had found my up-to-date CV on LinkedIn and saw that I was looking for work. After speaking with me, they put me forward for a role with Costain working on a United Utilities framework which I stayed in for the majority of an 18-month period. As this was a contract role and not permanent, I continued to look for graduate roles in the usual places (Gradcracker, CV library, LinkedIn etc.) and eventually got an interview with a bus manufacturer, which was a bit of a change. At this point I was so focused on getting a ‘graduate’ role that I ended up taking an opportunity with this manufacturer and hating it, so after about two months I contacted the recruitment agency to see if I could go back to Costain. I returned to Costain for about another nine months whilst keeping an eye out for something in the water industry and eventually found Stantec. By this point, I’d managed to get quite a bit of information about the industry through working with Costain, I knew the main things I needed to, how the industry works and became familiar with the big players in terms of contractors. This placed me really well for the interview and got me my current role in the industry which I enjoy working in. I finally secured a sought after ‘graduate role’! Stantec support progression to chartership and even pay your fees etc. Feedback from the hiring manager was that my previous experience was the key factor for me getting the job. The fact that I had worked for one of their main clients put me above the other applicants. Whereas I’m very happy in my current role, I’ve also picked up some very good contacts should I need them in future. The recruitment agency has requested to keep my details so that if in years to come I am looking for work or they have a good opportunity, we can get in contact. What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team while you studied at LJMU? I went to the team to help overhaul my written applications for jobs. In particular I went to see them regarding my internship CV and went through it in detail alongside the job advert to personalise it to the role. The sessions I had set me up nicely for future job applications after I’d left university, as I look at my CV and ask myself the same questions that the Careers Team asked me, and I’m now able to pick the key points out and tailor my CV independently. Moreover, I do the same thing for my partner! She works in the NHS and comes to me for advice on her CV; again I just apply the same approach that I learned with the team.
I secured a 12-month placement at Airbus UK on the Manufacturing Engineering Internship based at the Broughton plant. I was fortunate to have my 12 months split between two different teams, allowing me to experience multiple projects revolving around a number of manufacturing aspects. My initial six months were spent in an automation team, in which I supported a £20million project and gained a large amount of project management experience. During this project, I also had the opportunity to visit Germany to connect with suppliers.
As an intern, you can be fast-tracked onto the graduate scheme – you don’t have to re-apply, but only have to complete one interview. The graduate scheme also allows you to work towards your engineering chartership with the IMechE, the IET or the Royal Aeronautical Engineering Society without having to complete a masters.
At the start of my second year, I visited the Careers Zone to go through my CV and get it up to scratch before applying to any company. It helped a lot to understand what it was employers were looking for, and to add anything to help me stand out from other applicants. I suggest this to any students at LJMU looking to maximise their chances of achieving a placement.
What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis?
opportunities as an intern to get involved with these, as well as STEM events, which go towards becoming a STEM ambassador. Both of these activities will help if you are looking to progress onto the graduate scheme once you complete your degree.
On a day-to-day basis, my duties were primarily project-based with a number of meetings discussing progress with my manager or with stakeholders. This routine was fairly similar during both of the departments I worked in. Projects I worked on ranged from construction to digital and business development. For example, I was tasked with leading one project focused on the production of wing panels and understanding why certain panels manufactured on certain machines required excessive manual fettling to produce an acceptable standard. This involved data collection and study to reach a conclusion and suggestion for reducing panel defects. I also led a project to implement sensors for monitoring and understanding the use of a prototyping and innovation area within the business. There were also weekly meetings with my manager to check how things were progressing and if there were any issues I wanted to discuss. How do you feel that the placement has benefited you? On the whole, I felt appreciated and that Airbus wanted to offer me the opportunity to experience and develop an area that I was interested in. Airbus UK operates flexible working hours, so while I was contracted to 37 hours a week (Monday to Friday) it was possible to leave work early, or start a bit later, as long as I did the 37 hours, as well as the opportunity to finish by 12 pm on Fridays. This gave me the opportunity to have a perfectly-balanced working and social life. Airbus are also active in the community, offering community tours of the site, as well as educational tours for colleges. There are
Gallagher & McKinney is a pipe manufacturing company and my daily involvement was mostly regarding the analysis of engineering drawings in conjunction with ordering materials from supplier companies to ensure the workshop had sufficient material to complete the drawing ready to be shipped to site. What did the application / selection process involve?
Covid kind of shaved two to three months off my time during my placement, as they only had a few people in the office due to social distancing. However, when the GM wanted me to come into the office to sort any issues with materials, I was always there.
Did you receive any support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team at LJMU and how was this useful?
The application process was simple enough. I was proactive and just walked into the building to speak to the receptionist and managed to organise an interview with the general manager (GM) for the following week. After a chat with the GM, and establishing that both our expectations aligned, the placement was organised.
While it was a 12-month placement, the Covid pandemic had a drastic effect on the amount of time I spent working. Airbus made use of the furlough scheme and I ended up on that for eight weeks, before returning for several weeks (working from home) to see out my contract. Overall this did result in missed opportunities, but I still felt supported by Airbus during this time. What are your plans for after graduation?
I have an interview for the graduate scheme at Airbus in August 2021, so will hopefully return there after completing my course.
What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis?
How do you feel that the placement has benefited you?
What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? I would say that a placement year is a pretty good way to help resolve the conundrum of ‘can’t get a job without experience, but can’t get experience without a job’. Getting your foot in the door in your chosen industry is very important, but the role you get in your placement year is not pigeonholing you for the rest of your career. I went into mine knowing that I may not like my role during the year, but I may like John’s role who sits across from me, so a placement can help you decide on a suitable future career within your sector.
I had a few chats with members of the team which reinforced the benefits of a placement year and gave me a confidence boost to reach out to companies to secure a placement, which can be scary at times. How did the Covid situation affect your role and daily work and how did you manage this situation?
FINAL-YEAR MENG MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENT ALISTAIR SHACKLADY SPENT HIS PLACEMENT YEAR AT AIRBUS. ETHAN MULLAN IS IN HIS FINAL YEAR OF THE MENG MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME. HE COMPLETED A 12-MONTH PLACEMENT AT GALLAGHER & MCKINNEY. PLACEMENT CASE STUDY PLACEMENT CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 3CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
The placement has really given me the confidence to know that I want to pursue a career in this industry. It also gave me the motivation to achieve a higher grade this year, as before I was settling for a 2:1 but in level 6, I achieved a 1st and as a result of this, I have switched to the MEng route. I feel this change of ambition was a result of the placement.
How did the Covid situation affect your role and daily work and how did you manage this situation?
I highly recommend a placement at Airbus if you are considering working in a production environment, not necessarily just aerospace. I gained numerous skills and experiences that could apply to many other engineering sectors.
Did you receive any support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team at LJMU and how was this useful?
What tips would you give other students to improve their employability? Apply for internships! These will provide you with useful experience to talk about when applying for jobs and make you more confident in general. The Civil Service offers several different internships, such as the Summer Diversity Internship Programme. These provide a viable route into the Fast Stream so I would encourage students to check these out.
The Fast Stream is a Civil Service graduate scheme which focuses on accelerated progression for graduates. The scheme offers graduates the chance to try several different job roles within a short period to provide experience and develop a wide range of skills. There are numerous different schemes available on the Fast Stream and as I studied Mechanical Engineering, I felt the Science and Engineering pathway was a natural fit for me. I have just finished my first placement as an Air Quality Analyst in DEFRA. This involved working on several challenging projects. I helped to plan and implement a national monitoring network to measure roadside pollution and worked closely with Civil Service colleagues and local councils to provide scientific advice on air quality modelling to estimate roadside pollution. Why did you decide to apply to the Fast Stream?
MICHAEL GROOBY GRADUATED FROM THE MENG MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME IN 2020 AND SECURED A PLACE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE FAST STREAM GRADUATE SCHEME AS A SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAST STREAMER.
There are several stages to the Fast Stream process including online tests, video interviews, written questions and then finally an assessment centre with other candidates. It is a time-consuming process and I’d recommend applicants to apply early. For the initial stages, I’d look at the Civil Service behaviours which are available online and think about how you can demonstrate these in your answers. The assessment centre is daunting, so I’d advise candidates to take their time when answering questions and to know which behaviours they are being assessed against. The Fast Stream LJMU Outreach team will be holding a few mock assessment centres in LJMU this year so keep your eye out for them.
The main reason was the opportunity to try several different job roles in a short space of time. I felt this would allow me to develop quickly and give me a better idea of the career route I wanted to pursue long-term. I also wanted to work in the public sector, as I find it very rewarding that the work you do will have a positive impact on people’s lives. During my degree studies, I completed a yearlong placement in manufacturing but I wanted a career with a broader scope and more variation, and I feel the Fast Stream provides this. What did the application process for the Fast Stream involve and how did you prepare?
What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team while you studied at LJMU? I was given very useful advice on how to structure my CV to demonstrate the key skills needed for certain jobs. It also allowed me to tailor my CV when applying for different jobs!
Do you have any applications advice for students?
KAYLEIGH CROSBIE COMPLETED A PLACEMENT YEAR AS A PROCESS/ MANUFACTURING ENGINEER AT SIEMENS WHILE STUDYING TOWARDS HER ENGINEERING DEGREE PLACEMENT CASE STUDY CASE STUDY www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? During my placement, I worked as a Process/Manufacturing Engineer at Siemens. The placement was based at a factory where MRI Magnets are designed and manufactured. Typical activities included providing line support in the factory, managing issues on the production line and other general day-to-day process issues. I had my own individual projects to manage which gave me lots of responsibility. These projects included examining how to automate processes, quality improvement and shortening process times for example. I had to speak to suppliers and present my proposals to senior managers. Some of these proposals are currently being implemented at the company.
Apply for graduate schemes early, as it can be a time-consuming process. I’d also recommend looking at the top-rated graduate schemes (the Times produce a list of the top 100) to get an idea of what’s out there. Finally, I’d say don’t be downhearted if you get knocked back – it happens to everyone and you’ll get there in the end!
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What did the application / selection process involve? How did you prepare for each stage? The application process included an online application, CV and covering letter. This was followed by completing aptitude tests and finally an assessment centre, including a presentation, which was actually really enjoyable. Prior to the assessment centre I researched Siemens Healthcare and what products they produced and example projects. I also prepared for possible interview questions. How do you feel the placement has benefitted you? Massively! I won Siemens UK intern of the year as part of my placement and learnt about the industry and engineering in the real world. It was also really useful to experience how a business actually works on a day-to-day basis. The placement introduced me to senior managers and I was able to get involved in activities outside of the workplace such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed. From a technical point of view, I learned how to apply my engineering knowledge to real world issues and problems and found that it generally doesn’t go as you would expect! This really enhanced my problem solving skills with real issues. I delivered presentations to senior managers and so became more confident with these. Finally, I was offered a summer placement before my MEng year with the potential for a graduate role afterwards. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? Definitely do a placement. Put the time in to your applications even if you have a few rejections. They do take time to complete but always target your application towards the company and the role. If you don’t complete a placement you won’t know how a company works and sometimes a company may expect this broader knowledge when you apply for graduate roles. What are your plans for after graduation – work, travel or further study? After returning to Siemens for a summer placement I started an Automotive Engineering Masters at the University of Bath.
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Formula Student (FS) is Europe’s most established educational motorsport competition. FSUK is run by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and is backed by industry and high-profile engineers such as the competition’s patron, Ross Brawn OBE. The competition aims to inspire and develop enterprising and innovative young engineers. Universities from across the globe are challenged to design and build a singleseat racing car in order to compete in static and dynamic events, which demonstrates their understanding of their vehicle’s design and tests the performance of the vehicle.
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If you wish to get involved with the Team, visit their social media: LJMU e-Racing Team @LJMUeRacingTeam LJMU_e_Racing_Team Website www.ljmueracingteam.com
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LJMU has a proud history of competing at FS events at a high-level, home and abroad. In the Team’s previous guise as LJMU Racing, they entered race cars powered by internal combustion (IC) engines. Although successful with these IC cars, the university and the Team members agreed that the focus of the Team should look ahead. Therefore, the big decision was made for the Team to become an electric entry – LJMU e-Racing Team was born. This move coincides with the industry trend of electrification.
The Formula Student Team at LJMU is at the forefront of technological advancements in the automotive industry, having taken the leap to become an electric team. Being part of the team not only provides undergraduates with the eye-opening experience of a high pressure, fast-paced and competitive working environment, much like they will face in the real world, but also helps improve interpersonal skills and confidence which they will utilise in the rest of their careers. With the team recruiting from all disciplines, an endless amount of opportunities are available for students to create the most successful and employable version of themselves. All that is required is a can-do attitude and willingness to learn.
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CONNECT WITH US: THE WINNING EMPLOYABILITY FORMULA FOR STUDENTS FROM ANY PROGRAMME “ “ SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 5CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Mathew Lindley, LJMU Mechanical Engineering graduate and previous Formula Student Head of Dynamics A graduate says ... Due to the size of the task of designing and building their first electric vehicle (EV), LJMU e-Racing Team competed as a Class 2 entry at FSUK in July 2018 - meaning they competed in the static events only (design, business, cost & manufacturing). They came 5th overall and were the second highest placed UK university. They are now in the second phase of their design and build schedule, working towards competing in Class 1 of FSUK. Here, they will compete on the track against the stiff competition from all over the world. And yes, the students drive the car! LJMU e-Racing Team also have incredible travel opportunities available to them. As well as attending FS competitions at Silverstone and abroad, the Team also have other international travel opportunities. Some of the Team members travelled to China through LJMU’s Go Abroad scheme in May of 2018, meeting their counterparts in universities in Shanghai and Changshu. This international trip enriched our students’ experience at FSLJMU.isa great opportunity for students to apply the knowledge that they acquire in the lecture hall straight into a practical and realworld situation. Employers look favourably upon graduates that have experience with FS, as they can show that they have expansive skillsets and brilliant initiative. Many of the Team’s alumni have credited their employment due to their priceless FS experience with the Team. Some examples of the companies that our graduates have recently gained employment with are; Aston Martin, Ricardo, M-Sport, Norton Motorcycles, Haas F1, National Grid, Airbus, Atkins, McLaren Automotive, and Sellafield.
ROBERT BELLIS GRADUATED FROM THE NAUTICAL SCIENCE COURSE AND HAS BEEN WORKING AS AN OFFICER OF THE WATCH FOR THE BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY
What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? I received a great deal of help and advice from the team! Anja, one of the careers and employability advisers, helped me to completely transform my CV from run-of the-mill to one that would stand out to potential recruiters and highlighted my strengths. She also taught me how to adapt my CV to specific roles – this may sound straightforward but I was surprised by how much of a subtle art it is. We also had Zoom meetings to discuss specific roles I was applying for and develop effective
Each morning begins by updating the ships which are assigned to me in IMOS; en route, ETA/ETD, loading/discharging, B/L weight etc. Following this any freight, hire, demurrage, or any other payments due are arranged by 11am. After payments anything could happen owing to the varied nature of shipping, including; laytime calculations (learnt at LJMU), adding newly-fixed ships to IMOS which leads to other ship management tasks (liaising with owners/agents, calculating expected bunker/voyage costs, checking Charter Party clauses), and checking colleagues’ hire statements. Under normal circumstances the shipping department would all sit together in the office. However, due to the pandemic, I have largely worked remotely so far. We use Teams, Zoom and WhatsApp to keep in touch and there is a great culture there without micro management.
CAREERS IN MARITIME AND LOGISTICS (MANAGEMENT, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS, MARITIME BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, NAUTICAL SCIENCE)
To improve employability I’d recommend gaining as much experience in your chosen field as possible. Volunteer, complete work experience, attend additional training courses and gain extra qualifications. And also network as much as possible with professionals in the field. Get your name known and get contacts who may be able to help when finding a job. Join any professional organisations associated with your chosen career.
CHRIS BENNETT GRADUATED FROM THE MSC INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT, TRADE AND LOGISTICS COURSE AND NOW WORKS AS A SHIPPING ADMINISTRATOR AT EMR
What tips would you give other students to improve their employability?
First and foremost contact the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team with a copy of your CV and follow their advice. Beyond this, talk with your lecturers who teach or have worked in the fields you are interested in. I made it clear to two of my lecturers which areas of maritime trade I was hoping to work in. This not only led to sage advice but it was actually one of my lecturers who put me forward when EMR approached them looking for a graduate! Do you have any advice for students to help them overcome challenges in the job-hunting process? This won’t be fun to read but you have to be realistic about wage expectations. Even if you are top of your class, there are very few employers paying high starting salaries to graduates. However, once you get that first job in the industry you want to work in, your salary has the potential to increase year on year. Research the industry and work out what to expect as a graduate. You must also be resilient and recognise that the job market is competitive. With this in mind it is good to apply to as many jobs as possible because even if you don’t get them you will learn from the process. By the time I got the job at EMR, I had been ignored by Bibby, rejected by the Lidl grad scheme, been unsuccessful in the final two applicants at Maritime Transport and, most embarrassingly of all, completely bottled the Kuehne+Nagel video interview! All of this gave me a wealth of experience and real determination to succeed at EMR. You just have to keep going, as no-one will hand you a job, but if you’re proactive and keep applying, you will get there. Once you get your foot in the door and get that all important experience, you won’t look back! Best of luck in the job hunt!
PLACEMENT CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 6 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
If I were a first year student again I’d make more of an effort to engage with the societies etc, as otherwise friendship groups tend to revolve around those on similar courses.
interview techniques. This all left me feeling extremely confident prior to interviews and capable of approaching future employers.
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
What did the application process involve? I emailed to apply for the role and was swiftly called back for an informal chat with the Ship Ops manager, where I was told interviews would be arranged in a few weeks. When I didn’t hear back, I emailed for an update and was told it would be a few more weeks. I got in touch again after this period of time to restate my strong interest in the role and the first interview was finally arranged. There were two interviews via Zoom, the first with the Ship Ops manager and the second with Ship Ops and Shipping department general manager. From initially applying to starting the job took around three months, so I recommend being patient and try not to worry if you don’t hear back immediately.
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What is your current role? I’ve worked as an Officer of the Watch for the British Antarctic Survey. I started off as Third Officer and am now sailing as Second Officer. I’ll be moving over to the new ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough (Boaty McBoatface) later this year. I’m primarily responsible for taking charge of a navigational watch at sea, which includes navigating through ice and also manoeuvring the vessel as it conducts the science. Additionally I also take charge of deck and cargo operations and am coxswain for the small craft that we carry on board. As Second Officer I am also responsible for the passage planning for the vessel and act as the Ship Security Officer. What advice would you give current students to improve their employability?
Definitely do a placement and also explore summer placements/ internships as well. Any work experience you can get will be beneficial even volunteering or work shadowing. If you are not sure what you want to do try and get experience in a few different areas. Put time into your future career. Go to networking events with professional bodies.
I secured a role with CM Lemos & Co working as a Shipping Executive.
What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? My placement role was as a Shipping Administrator and I was mainly acting as a vessel operator. This involves: communicating with ship captains; negotiating and buying fuel and then arranging bunkering with agents in the bunker port, controlling voyage costs; sending bill of lading instructions to agents; sending voyage instructions to the master of the vessel; arranging procurement of supplies if needed; appointing ships agents in both load port and discharge port and speaking with them around the world; planning an efficient route based on speed options for the vessel contained within the charterparty; completing laytime calculations; and, dealing with any issues before and during a journey. The role also involved using the company’s in-house software system IMOS to manage the voyages and ships information, giving me the capability to monitor the voyage and communicate relevant information to parties involved such as updated ETA’s for agents in the discharge port to understand whether the vessel will berth upon arrival which is important for laytime calculations. An important aspect was to estimate the vessel’s fuel consumption to manage costs.
OLIVER JARVIS GRADUATED FROM THE MARITIME BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME IN SUMMER 2019. HE WORKED AS A SHIPPING ADMINISTRATOR DURING HIS PLACEMENT WITH EUROPEAN METAL RECYCLING PLACEMENT CASE STUDY
CAREERS IN ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
What placement role did you secure and what did the role involve? My placement was secured with GE Power Conversion part of the wider GE organisation who operate in a number of sectors including aviation, energy connections, healthcare, oil and gas, power, renewable energy, and transportation. My specific role was as a Field Service Engineer in the naval service department and the placement was split up into six months with the commissioning team at Rosyth dockyard in Scotland working on the commissioning of two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, and then six months based at Portsmouth naval base working in a maintenance/technical support team for the Royal Navy’s Type45 destroyers. Some of my day to day roles in Portsmouth were analysing data for ships deployed and offering technical support and guidance to the Royal Navy in fault finding and maintenance procedures. I also wrote manuals for maintenance work carried out so that future work colleagues and operatives can follow a procedure. In Rosyth I was working alongside a commissioning team carrying out testing on the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier’s power and propulsion system. What did the application process involve? The application process involved a number of stages – online application, telephone interview, situational tests on how you would react to a specific scenario and then a face-to-face interview. How do you feel the placement has benefitted you? This placement benefitted me in many ways. I now have a direction in which I would like my career to go. The break from my studies left me refreshed for the final year and I was then able to apply the workplace learning into my final year modules. The placement provided a basis for my final year project and I was also offered a graduate role working as a Field Service/Commissioning Engineer working on the new aircraft carrier when it comes into service at Portsmouth Naval Base. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability?
Some form of work experience is always advantageous and this doesn’t necessarily need to be in your degree discipline. Previous employment shows an employer that you have operated in a workplace environment. Thoroughly research the company and specific role you are applying for as interviewers like to see enthusiasm and knowledge for the role. Employers also like to see some extra-curricular activities which I believe demonstrates your willingness to give something back and develop yourself. Its always a cliché that your first year marks do not count towards your degree classification but at the same time first year marks are what an employer looks at when sifting through applications so it’s always good to not only gain good marks to stand out but to also get yourself in the frame of mind for second year.
NEIL HANCOX, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING GRADUATE, COMPLETED A YEAR-LONG PLACEMENT WITH GE POWER CONVERSION PLACEMENT CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 7CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Use LinkedIn to develop your networks and access useful information.
What help or support did you access at the Byrom Careers Zone and how was this useful?
I spoke to an Adviser, Andy Byrne, when searching for placements and for application advice. What are your plans for after graduation – work, travel or further study?
What did the application / selection process involve? How did you prepare for each stage? I had to send a copy of my CV along with a covering letter. I was then invited to an interview and prepared for this by researching the company in detail. Luckily I had become familiar with the company as part of a module research project. I also researched ship operations in general and read useful books on the subject from the Chartered Institute of Shipbrokers which can be found in the Avril Robarts Library. How do you feel that the placement has benefitted you? The placement has given me a greater insight into the maritime industry including the job roles that are available after graduation. I was able to develop a professional approach to work as I had never worked in an office before. I was introduced to relevant software and systems that are used in the industry and gained an insight into the different types of cargoes that are transported around the world. I realised the importance of keeping up to date with current events and issues in the sector and had to research issues and events that were affecting several worldwide ports such as strikes, bad weather conditions and congestion.
Do not be scared to put yourself amongst professionals when you are a student, they were students too and will be more than happy to help you. You may be as useful a contact to them in the future as they will be to you now!
What advice would you give other students to improve their employability?
What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? If I had my time again I would apply for more placements earlier to get experience of the recruitment process. I would questionspractisingrecommendcompetencyalotasthese are used in interviews. Prepare to succeed, I printed out a project I had been actively involved in showing my skills in time management and project work. I would also try not to over impress as the interviewers know that you are a student and understand your level of experience. Really think about your answers at interview. For example if asked to describe a weakness that you have don’t say “perfectionist” as employers know this is a standard answer. It’s seen to be positive if you identify weaknesses and suggest how you are working on these. What help or support did you access at the Careers Zone at LJMU? When updating my CV before applying for Sellafield I visited the Careers Zone and the Employability Advisers helped me restructure it, suggested different wording and deleted unnecessary text. I thought my CV was great until I had it checked and edited!
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What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? My placement role was based at Sellafield working as a CE&I engineer. On a day-to-day basis this involved: Producing and completing package work for various systems on the project including datasheets, technical specifications, Outline Installation Method Statements, cable schedules, connector schedules, termination cards etc. Developing CAD skills as part of the modifications team Acting as secretary for design reviews. These were key design meetings for the project that are attended by Senior Engineers, Managers and Regulators Attending various Sellafield Ltd training courses, covering different aspects of the CE&I discipline Tracking Assistance and Assurance Single Discipline Design Reviews to deadlines Also producing my own research into future technologies, preparing and presenting presentations for the CE&I community How do you feel the placement has benefitted you?
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I think it’s given me the technical skills needed to work and grow in a design engineering environment. I was also encouraged to apply for an Engtech qualification through the IET and I am now a TMIET.
CONNOR BREEN, MENG ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING GRADUATE, COMPLETED A YEAR-LONG PLACEMENT WITH SELLAFIELD What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? My placement role involved working as a Junior Labview Development Engineer at ASM Assembly Systems who design and manufacture screen-printing products and technologies for electronic circuit boards. On a daily basis I liaised with internal customers (test engineers) who wrote a test sequence for design verification and validation of the next generation screen-printers which were in development. I organised meetings to discuss requirements, run tests, explored how we could develop the application, including displacement and load parameters. I managed the software that we released to internal customers, ensuring it was ready and up to date. I had to set up equipment so it was ready for testing and developed code to run the tests. During my time at the company I also had to deliver three presentations reviewing my placement and my personal progress.
What did the application / selection process involve? Initially I sent my CV and covering letter to the company and I was then invited for a telephone interview. Following this, I attended a final face-to-face interview focussing on key competencies and technical knowledge. Prior to the interview I researched the company and what they did. Some of the questions were related to technologies and terminology that they use so I was glad to have developed a little bit of knowledge by preparing beforehand. How do you feel the placement has benefitted you? As well as gaining experience of the workplace on a day-to-day basis, I gained more confidence in my own work. I developed key transferable skills such as communication and teamwork and learned to articulate my ideas in a concise and formal manner. I was given lots of responsibility in my role, managing communications and relations with test engineers as we had to work well together. The role was heavily software-related, designing hardware interfaces and ensuring software and printer software worked well together. My final year project was completed using Labview and the placement really increased the quality of my work. Having to deliver presentations during the placement really built my confidence. I worked on ad hoc projects at the company during my final year which provided the basis for my final year project.
What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? Spend time on producing quality applications as they are the first impression you make to employers. Spelling/grammatical mistakes can mean that your application is rejected. Definitely do a placement as it makes you so much more employable. Some employers prefer candidates with hands-on experience in an engineering environment. The more experience you have, the better. What help or support did you receive from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team at LJMU and how was this useful? I received support when writing my CV and covering letter from Advisers in the Careers Zone which helped me to present myself professionally. What are your plans for after graduation – work, travel or further study? I will be returning to ASM after my course working in a graduate role.
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ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING GRADUATE HARVEY PICOT IMPRESSED DURING HIS SANDWICH PLACEMENT AT ASM ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS AND REJOINED THE COMPANY IN A GRADUATE ROLE IN SUMMER 2019 PLACEMENT CASE STUDY PLACEMENT CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 8 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Managing the commissioning process, ensuring Wates witness critical items being commissioned to ensure they perform as required and collating information such as test certifications, Operation & Maintenance Manuals and Building User Guides to handover to the client at the end of the project.
Did you receive any advice support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team and how was this helpful?
What did the application / selection process involve? it consisted of an initial application including questions as to why you wish to work for Wates and the skills you feel you could bring to the company etc. Following this were some aptitude tests and a video interview. The final step was an assessment centre which are held at different locations across the country depending upon the region you have applied to. I prepared for this by researching Wates, the company history, values and how my experience and future goals were aligned to theirs. During my interview, I was commended for my self-awareness which I believe is one of the best compliments to receive. This shows the interviewer that although you may have many strengths you have also identified areas where you may not be as strong and want to focus on improving – and I truly believe this gives you a strong advantage over others who may fail to recognise this.
Setting people to work, making sure progress is made in areas where it is most needed in order to meet the construction programme.
As a Building Services Management Trainee at Wates, I am responsible for a wide variety of aspects involving building services systems including the design, procurement and monitoring installation of systems on site. Whilst on-site, it is important to monitor the activities being performed by sub-contractors to ensure they are adhering to Health & Safety guidelines whilst also managing all other aspects of MEP activities including: Inducting operatives during their first visit to site, making sure they are trained and competent to do their job. Liaising with Designers to resolve issues with co-ordination of services, clashes and approval for items being procured to ensure they meet the building services specification. Monitoring the quality of the installation by sub-contractors and snagging items where quality is not to the Wates standard. Building relationships with the supply chain and negotiating quotes with sub-contractors and suppliers for work or materials.
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The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team offer interview workshops and mock interviews and the best way to work on your interview technique is by undertaking an actual interview. The technical questions can really throw people and it is important to prepare for questions that start with “Where have you demonstrated…?” as you need to give evidence-based answers and this can be anything from when you had a paper round to working in a part-time job.
❙ Flexibility – Wates give you the flexibility to drive your own learning and gain experience in different areas of the business. They also support opportunities to learn outside of Wates, encouraging secondments to supply chain partners and other businesses we work with. Variety – I enjoy the variety which you are exposed to at Wates, as in only a space of a few months I have already had a taste of several different projects which are at different stages hence it has helped improve my understanding of the overall context of a construction project and how they are delivered from concept through to completion.
Yes, I spent a lot of time with the team during my final year as I was extremely nervous in the run-up to my assessment centres. First, I sought help to improve my CV which was massively important because this is the first piece of information employers usually receive about you, so you need to make a good impression otherwise this could make be difference between progressing or discontinuing your application. They also helped me with my interview technique by pointing me in the direction of their online tools which included sample questions and practice aptitude tests. All of these helped me to calm my nerves and make me stand out against other candidates on the day. What advice would you give to current students to improve their employability? I would always advise on a taking a sandwich year which will help you gain industry experience and improve your knowledge about the industry you’re entering into (it may also help you decide what you don’t want to do after graduation – as it did in my case!). If this isn’t possible, maybe try and get a Summer Placement as a minimum between 2nd and 3rd year. Companies may also offer incentives such as professional registration and opportunities to become a STEM ambassador which employers will like to see when applying for graduate positions.
A graduate says ...A graduate says ... “ “ “ “
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PETER MORGAN, FORENSIC ENGINEER, STRANGE STRANGE AND GARDNER (LJMU ENGINEERING GRADUATE) OFFERS HIS ADVICE TO STUDENTS ABOUT HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE COMPETITIVE GRADUATE JOBS MARKET
❙ Responsibility – From day one, I was given responsibilities on site including monitoring health & safety, quality checking and negotiating package prices with suppliers and sub-contractors.
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING GRADUATE DANIEL FLAHERTY TELLS US ABOUT HIS ROLE AS A BUILDING SERVICES MANAGEMENT TRAINEE AT WATES GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 9CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
In terms of preparation for applications and assessment centres, I’d encourage students to make an appointment with the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to boost your confidence and make sure you have all bases covered prior to attending assessment centres. Even if you are naturally confident, I’m sure they will have some ideas which you had not considered!
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TOM SMITH, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
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Have the right attitude! It’s so hard now to find the job that you want, and the sheer amount of competition in any degree subject makes it even harder. Employers know this and know that they are looking for somebody special. If you have the right attitude and work ethic, and can put this across to an employer in your CV and interview then everything else will fall into place. The best advice that was given to me was to be yourself. Your grades and qualifications will speak for themselves. Yes, employers are interested in your technical abilities and making sure that you have the right qualifications for the position, but more importantly employers are interested in you as a person and the qualities that you can bring to their organisation. Good luck!!!
Three things you like about your job:
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What does your job/graduate scheme involve?
What are your plans for after graduation – work, travel or further study? I’m an R&D Junior Mechanical Engineer for Epredia now.
CAREERS IN PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING
Evoke specialise in innovative digital technologies to produce bespoke solutions for brands to help them interact with their clients in creative and rewarding ways. Some of the products Evoke produce include the ubiquitous McDonald’s menu kiosks, interactive digital technologies found in major stores such as JD which include transparent screens, RFID football boot shelves, and interactive mirrors to name only a few. As an intern I was lucky enough to work with brands such as JD, Blacks, Adidas, Cambridge Building Society, and many more. I worked as a Hardware Developer at Evoke on all aspects of the design process – concept design, development, prototyping, all the way through to production. Day-to-day I was working on new concepts, creating CAD models, communicating with clients and suppliers, attending design team meetings, and providing project updates. I also got the opportunity to develop my technical skills using Keyshot, Solidworks, Adobe Creative Package, PLM Software, and the Autodesk suite. What did the application / selection process involve? The application involved sending the company a copy of my CV, a covering letter and a portfolio. I was then invited to an interview and took along a more comprehensive portfolio including models and sketches. Before the interview I prepared my portfolio ensuring I included the most relevant work for the position, researched the company and its products, and, researched key employees on LinkedIn.
I’d also suggest using the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team throughout your time at university, as the services and advice I received from them benefited me greatly and helped me secure a job. In addition to seeing an adviser for feedback on my CV, I also used the online resources to help with interview preparation, which really boosted my confidence. I found the advice to be highly beneficial, as I was able to create a CV that demonstrated all of my skills and achievements in an engaging way. How did the Covid situation affect your role and daily work and how did you manage this situation? Like many others, I started to work from home during the Covid pandemic. I found this challenging at first, as my job required many practical aspects which were put on hold. Luckily my work was considered to be essential work, so I was able to go back into work relatively quickly. In the long term, I benefited from working from home, as I was not as reliant on others for reassurance and I became much more confident and independent in my work.
Tell us about your internship?
Taking a yearlong placement has enabled me to figure out my career path and find what I am passionate about. It was also an opportunity to apply and expand my skills and knowledge. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? Take any work experience opportunities available, as employers are looking for experience within the industry as well as a degree.
ABOUT HIS INTERNSHIP AT EVOKE CREATIVE 2021 PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING GRADUATE MOLLY HARRIS UNDERTOOK A PLACEMENT YEAR AT THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC. INTERNSHIP CASE STUDY PLACEMENT CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 10 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING GRADUATE JAMES PARRY GRADUATE TELLS US
How do you feel the internship has benefitted you? I became more confident within myself and also with the design process as a whole. It has allowed me to communicate ideas with greater clarity and has improved my overall design thinking. I communicated with a range of people each day. I worked in a professional team applying my knowledge with real clients and using real money! It has greatly improved my time management skills which has helped me in my final year. The placement has also positively impacted on the way I view learning and the course in general. Going through the application process and attending interviews will also be great experience when applying for graduate roles. What advice would you give students to improve their employability? 100% do a placement! Tailor your CV and portfolio to each company. Don’t just send the same application to as many different companies as possible. Know the company you are applying to inside out, and try and get a deep understanding of what they are looking for in potential candidates, then tailor yourself to that role. Research portfolios and how to structure them and what to include. Your portfolio is the first major impression a company will have of you and your design skills.
What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? I secured a role within their research and development (R&D) department as a mechanical design engineer. This included attending daily project meetings with different departments, liaising with suppliers, research into new technologies, and coming up with innovative design solutions and producing prototypes. I was then also tasked to prove the feasibility of my concept through writing protocols and carrying out testing. What did the application / selection process involve? Initially I sent my CV and cover letter to the hiring manager; I was then asked to attend an interview. To prepare, I researched into the company to gain a full understanding of their values and products. I also did mock/practice interviews and got my CV checked over by an adviser in the Careers Zone.
How do you feel that the placement has benefited you?
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 11CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES Find flexible, part-time and temporary jobs that fit around your studies ... Earn some extra spending cash and enhance your CV using Unitemps at LJMU, our very own recruitment agency. availableAssignmentsatbothLJMU and externally, sign up now! To find out more or to register, scan the QR code or visit: ATUNITEMPSLJMU CONNECT WITH US: www.unitemps.com/branches/liverpool-john-moores-university unitemps@ljmu.ac.uk 0151 231 8888 https://bit.ly/38xNhl5
2019 GRADUATE MATT FRYER SECURED A HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER PLACEMENT
AUDIO & MUSIC PRODUCTION GRADUATE RYAN SHAW TALKS ABOUT
University isn’t just about sitting and being taught, it is about challenging yourself. In university we’re not given the question followed by the answer as we are in school; it’s all about discovering your strengths and improving your weaknesses. My best advice would be to push yourself beyond what you think your limits are, put yourself out there and show prospective employers what you can do. Work for free if you need to; the payoff comes later. What support did you access at LJMU and how was this useful? I knew that at one point in my career I would like to work for myself. This meant that I had to find out the correct information about contracts, self-employment and what that meant for my income, tax and my National Insurance. With help from the Centre for Entrepreneurship I was able to set up my taxes, register myself as self-employed and land my first contract. The Careers Zone is a hub for employment and should be treated this way. If you’re looking to build contacts you need to utilise the university and this is the best way to do that. What aspects of your degree were useful in helping you to secure this position and be successful in the role? All aspects of my degree have helped and allowed me to be confident in the positions that I have held since graduation. The two biggest factors for myself would have been the Live Performance Operations & Technology and Electronic Audio Systems modules. These two modules (even though they seemed somewhat obscure to me at the time) have helped me more than any other, both as a live sound engineer and in my current position. It is always good to have a speciality but in this industry it is imperative to be an ‘all-rounder’. Employers are looking for you to be as diverse as possible. HIS
What roles have you undertaken since graduation and what did these roles involve?
My initial application was submitted online. I sent off my CV and portfolio with a covering letter to an advert I had found on a job advertisement website. I was then invited to an assessment centre day in London and I was asked to bring a physical portfolio. At the assessment centre we were put into groups and challenged to come up with a new Disney product and present our idea. At lunch, half of the candidates were invited to a one-on-one interview in the afternoon. The next day I received a phone call offering me one of eight positions. How do you feel the placement has benefitted you? It’s benefitted me massively, but in ways in which I didn’t expect. I learnt to use software which isn’t part of the course but which is very useful for my final year. I have learnt time management and improved my professional communication and confidence greatly. Also, I’ve made friends for life with people who are as passionate about design as me. The experience of living in London for a year as a young professional is also something that I would recommend to anyone. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? I would highly recommend doing a placement to improve your employability, even if it’s a three month summer placement as I learnt so much in the first three months.
What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis?
What did the application / selection process involve?
The placement role I worked in was as a Product Development Intern for The Walt Disney Company. Working within the Home, Accessories and Footwear team of the Disney Consumer Products department my core role was liaising with licensee companies on the development of new products throughout the Marvel, Star Wars and Disney franchises. These products would be sent to me as concepts which I reviewed and gave feedback on if changes needed to be made, I did the same for all stages of the development process, through prototyping and production sampling. My secondary roles included researching upcoming trends for the licensees and developing inspirational material for upcoming seasons.
CAREERS IN AUDIO AND MUSIC PRODUCTION
I started as a casual Audio Engineer on a zero-hours contract with Adlib just before graduating. This carried on after graduation and led to more and more work resulting in me working with some great acts up and down the country. This role allowed me to build up contacts within the industry and I was able to move off into freelance work as an AV Technician/Audio Engineer. Freelance work is now the backbone of the music industry and it’s all about having a solid CV (which can be created by doing free work) and building up a list of contacts. I am now an Education and Business to Business Sales Executive with Dolphin Music. What did the application process involve? How did you prepare for each stage? With this being a specialist industry a lot of places will ask you to carry out tasks and will even ask you to work on a trial basis to gauge your abilities. The application process for freelance contracts may be to physically set up or specify equipment for a particular gig/exhibition: the company always expects you to know your trade, you never know when you have to take apart a cable or fix something. You have to be confident and on your toes. What advice would you give AMP students to improve their employability?
AT THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY AS A PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INTERN DURING HIS
STUDIES PLACEMENT CASE STUDY
EXPERIENCES IN THE WORKPLACE AND PROVIDES ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 12 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 13CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER, 9AM - 12PM, BRITANNIA ADELPHI HOTEL This event is highly regarded by employers and students alike and has a diverse range of employers in attendance. This event is open to ALL students within the Faculty. All companies attending will be looking to promote their placement and/or graduate opportunities. Do not miss out! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL ANGELA CLARKE AT: FACULTY ENGINEERINGOF & TECHNOLOGY RECRUITMENT FAIR Faculty of Engineering and Technology Student Futures: Careers, Employability & Start-Up Service FETplacements@ljmu.ac.uk
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