Are you a recent graduate and looking to start a career in the engineering field? Learning the ropes of becoming a successful engineer will come with experience, but there’s no best time to start taking the initial steps to ensure you’re on the right path to securing a role in the field. There is a large selection of jobs available in the engineering sector to choose from; from entry level positions all the way through to management roles.

If you’re looking to venture into the world of engineering in the not-so-distant future, here’s some top advice on how to land yourself a career in the field:

1. There are a vast amount of sectors available

The great aspect about choosing a career in engineering is that there are a vast selection of job roles available in the sector. Therefore you can use your personal skill set to find the niche that is best suited to you.

A few key sectors in engineering include:

  • Aerospace and Avionics Engineering: The design and structure of air transport vehicles
  • Architectural Engineering: Design and application of developing buildings
  • Automotive Engineering: Design, production, and operation of vehicles
  • Computing and IT Engineering: Designing software and hardware for computer systems
  • Design Engineering: Research and development of new product ideas and creating technical designs

2.  Building a good portfolio is impressive to potential employers

Upon applying for interviews, it’s worth putting together a portfolio of the work you have completed outside of college or university, to prove to employers that you have had real-world experience. Employers are attracted to candidates who have already been hands-on in the workplace; whether that be paid or voluntary.

As the world of engineering is changing dramatically, employers will now be seeking out employees who are familiar with digital software. In terms of prospective design engineers, for example, Altium offer a state-of-the-art PCB design tool that transforms creative ideas into reality with the benefit of unlimited editing. Having experience of such software will certainly make you stand out in the hiring process, as essentially, it proves you’re willing to adapt to the updates that the engineering industry is facing.

3. Using a mentor for industry advice is highly beneficial

If you have recently graduated from college or university, it would always be worth keeping in touch with lecturers or professionals you have built a bond with, as they may be able to provide a helping hand when it comes to securing a suitable job. Use your mentor as a guide on whether to accept job roles or ask if they can provide advice on developing your skillset to secure a position you’re passionate about.

4.  A mediocre degree will still secure you a job

It’s tough for graduates who come out of university with a lower-ranked degree believing they’ll never secure a job in the engineering field, but this is no longer the case. There are many graduate schemes available that will accept lower results. It’s a given that a higher degree will stand a graduate in a better position, but don’t forget that there’s the opportunity of outperforming other candidates if you can offer an extensive portfolio or impressive interview techniques.

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