Case studies: Graduate electrical engineer: Phil

Phil explains how his MEng from the University of Durham, specialising in new and renewable energy, helps his electrical engineering work at Arup...

During my fourth year at university, I saw an advert in a graduate recruitment magazine. I applied online through the arup.com website and subsequently had an interview later in the year, before I graduated.

I was offered the position pending my overall degree result, and in September 2007, I had a week-long graduate induction before starting with my group in Sheffield.

The subject of my degree was vital in securing my current role. The interview for the job consisted of electrical engineering exam-style questions, which I had to answer, explaining my thought process to my interviewers.

Arup encourages chartership through the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) for their electrical engineers so studying on an IET-accredited course was very valuable.

However, as I studied a general engineering course, I only use some of the technical content I studied on a day to day basis. In particular, I use what I learnt from subjects such as energy generation/conversion, and energy delivery and network integration.

My general engineering background has been helpful when understanding other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical and structural engineering. This especially helps when you need to coordinate an overall design. I also indirectly use the non-technical skills I developed at university, such as engineering design principles and management skills more regularly.

A typical day as an electrical engineer might include attending a design team meeting with architects and cost consultants, carrying out various calculations and simulations and going on-site to check construction progress. I also mark up and review CAD drawings and contact manufacturers to discuss the use of their products within a particular project.

I enjoy the variety of work and the people I am involved with. For example, in the past year, my work has included designing installations for ecclesiastic clients in the north of England, a hotel complex in Italy and industrial clients in the Middle East. I also enjoy the types of tasks I am involved with on a day to day basis, from high voltage distribution networks to the lightning protection of structures.

Working in the 'built environment' can be challenging as it means that every project has unique problems, which often require lateral thinking to solve. This becomes very demanding when cost-effective and sustainable solutions to these problems must be found within a restricted timeframe. This can be further complicated when working on international projects with different environmental factors and engineering standards to here in the UK.

I would advise any other electrical engineering graduate to gain good work experience. This can be almost as important as the degree itself. I think that my summer jobs at two engineering firms not only helped me through my interview but also gave me a better understanding of the industry.

AGCAS

Sourced by AGCAS editors

Date: 

February 2010

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