Case studies: Workshop technician: Toby Unna

Toby graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Sheffield University. He currently works for a small sports car manufacturer.

My degree qualification played no part whatsoever in acquiring my first job as an automotive journalist, which came about by chance, although my recreational activities (working on and tuning cars) related to and refined my knowledge gained from the degree, which helped to secure the job.

After three years of working as an automotive journalist, I switched to my current job as an automotive technician. The work has a wide range of aspects, most of which have little relevancy to the degree content but some of which are directly related to it.

The workshop aspect of my job does not make use of the knowledge I gained during my degree course but it accounts for the majority of my workload. The design of new parts and redesign of existing parts, however, is easier and in some cases only possible thanks to the degree course - for example being able to use CAD (computer aided design) software, being able to design for least cost and with sufficient safety. For these tasks, the degree course undertaken was the ideal choice.

The work I do is largely workshop-based building, which includes the servicing and repairing of kit cars. This involves working on engines and other mechanical components, as well as the assembly of pre-manufactured parts and the fabrication of custom parts using relevant hand tools and machines.

Occasionally, I operate machinery for manufacturing standard parts and I also do parts inventory upkeep and stock-taking. Additionally, I am required to design or re-design certain parts, either using CAD software or traditional drawing techniques, which will then be manufactured either on or off-site.

I enjoy the very wide variety of tasks involved and skills required and the fact that I rarely know what I will be doing the following day. I enjoy the pressure of having to work to deadlines and similarly enjoy the design aspect of the work. I also enjoy working with mechanical systems and engines, which accounts for a significant proportion.

I find it challenging to work alongside others who have chosen a more direct or specific path into this work and who, therefore, are able to do a better job than I can, whether that job be building cars or explaining technical aspects of the product to customers. I find the design side of the work enjoyable but difficult, in part due to me not using the relevant knowledge from the degree course for many years afterwards and having in some cases to re-learn it.
 
I arrived in this job via a fairly convoluted route and without the ideal training and necessary experience. I would have progressed more quickly if I had either undertaken an automotive-based apprenticeship or college course, or started with this or a similar company directly (i.e. without completing a university course), as most of the work experience is more valuable than qualifications. However, for those wanting to get into a career mainly encompassing the design aspect of my job, the degree I graduated with would be the ideal choice.

AGCAS

Sourced by Francesca Bauer, AGCAS

Date: 

October 2009

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