With graduation season in full swing, this is a time of year when many young people see the rewards of years of hard work, determination, and dedication, and get ready to say goodbye to university life.  

As a new engineering graduate, you must look to the future and make the necessary preparations for a long and fulfilling journey as a professional engineer.

To help you on your career journey, we have compiled a list of our top tips for new graduates who wish to take the next steps in their engineering career. 

• Utilise University Resources

It’s important to make the most of your university’s career services, which can provide guidance, support, and resources to help you find relevant work experience opportunities. Many university engineering departments have connections with both local and international employers and play a prominent role in organising industry events and job fairs, which can prove an ideal place to network and build lasting connections with leading names in the engineering sector. 

• Choose Your Location

Engineering is an industry that is internationally focused, with many regions across the globe offering exciting work opportunities. This can make it difficult to decide where to start your engineering journey. By choosing a region with strong engineering links, this will make it easier to find job opportunities and industry connections that will help you with your career progression. With world-class facilities on our doorsteps, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and the NI Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE), Northern Ireland is a region with a thriving engineering sector. 

• Gain Work Experience

Many engineering companies are keen to nurture the next generation of engineers, which will benefit the industry’s future needs. With engineering being a practical field, hands-on experience is highly valued. If you want to stay ahead of the competition, look for opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering in engineering projects. This will provide you with valuable skills, improve your chances of landing a job after graduation, and give you vital networking experience. 

• Prepare for your Interview

Whilst the idea of interviewing for a new company can be intimidating, it is also an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and knowledge of the sector.  Conducting research about who your potential new employer is and what they’re looking for will allow you to highlight relevant skills on your resume, which will give you the best chance of impressing any potential employers. While engineering heavily relies on mathematical concepts and scientific principles, it is important to remember that alongside these technical skills, employers also value ‘soft skills’, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. 

• Keep up to Date with Industry Trends and Technologies

Engineering is an exciting, ever-changing industry, and one in which innovation lies at the centre. With new engineering developments every day, it’s important to keep up to date with the latest trends, products and technologies that are revolutionising the sector, which will showcase to any potential employers your passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for the engineering industry.  

As you embark on your new career path, allow yourself time to adjust to the practical realities of a working environment, where you will master skills that will stay with you for the rest of your engineering career. 

By building professional networks, keeping up with changing trends, and building upon your practical skills, you will have all the ingredients for a successful and long-lasting career in the engineering field.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team about a project, contact us by calling: 028 9044 8755 or email: [email protected].