Engineering : Entry and progression

How do I find a job?

Specialist online recruitment agencies such as Matchtech , Gradcracker  and Thomas Telford Recruitment  hold jobs for most types of engineers.

See the Engineering Graduate Job Search for the vacancies of all the major engineering firms. Company websites also hold their own graduate training scheme information and vacancies.

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) , Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)  and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)  are just some of the professional institutions that provide job vacancies, careers advice and accredited training for new graduates. Professional bodies also provide information on smaller companies who do not widely advertise their vacancies. You can apply to these companies speculatively.

Graduate training schemes are common in large companies, and generally commence in autumn. Smaller companies tend to recruit when required.

Find out more about job application advice.

What skills do I need?

A BEng or MEng in a relevant discipline is usually sufficient for entry into graduate training schemes. A 2:1 or 2:2 is desirable, depending on the company.

Key skills required in addition to a degree include:

• high level technical knowledge plus the ability to apply it to practical problems;
• problem-solving ability;
• good communication skills;
• the ability to build relationships with customers;
• teamworking skills;
• organisational skills, such as time and resource planning;
• commercial awareness and entrepreneurial attitude;
• motivation and enthusiasm.

These skills can be gained in many jobs, through sport, volunteering or involvement in university societies.

Where can I find work experience?

• Relevant work experience can help in landing your ideal job. Internships, vacation jobs, work experience and placements are increasingly common ways of securing graduate jobs in engineering.
• Company websites, and your own careers service website, hold relevant information on where and how to apply.
• If no vacancies are advertised, make informal enquiries or apply speculatively.
• Your careers service will be able to help with where to look and making applications.

Is postgraduate study useful?

Entry to most areas of engineering does not require a postgraduate degree.

For research posts in academia or in industry, a Doctorate (PhD) is usually required.

A Masters may help with entering an area of engineering that did not form part of your MEng/BEng. Discuss your options with potential employers or with a careers adviser.

How can my career develop?

Once employed, gaining a professional qualification, either chartership (CEng) or incorporated engineer (IEng) is the next step. These show you have achieved a benchmark level of competence and commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) in engineering.

To become a chartered engineer (CEng) you need:

• an accredited MEng;
• or an accredited BEng and further learning to Masters level (accredited) or completion of accredited further learning scheme in the work place.

To gain CEng status, you will need to submit a written report and satisfy an assessment panel that you have the skills, specialist knowledge and competence to practise as an engineer. It is possible to achieve CEng or incorporated (IEng) status within four to six years after graduation.

To become an incorporated engineer (IEng) you need:

• a BEng
• or an HNC/HND and completion of accredited further learning in the workplace.

You can still become an incorporated or chartered engineer if you do not have academic qualifications. Further information about the assessment process can be found at the Engineering Council .

Many graduates training schemes offer one or both of these options. Most graduate engineers aim for chartered or incorporated status in the early years of their careers. They then progress in specialist technical areas of engineering, as managers of ideas, people and resources or through diversifying into areas such as marketing, HR or sales.

Many senior-level engineering posts require chartered status.