Mechanical Engineer Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. It lasted 2 months which was perfect to allow me time to still have some summer off from university. I felt as though I gained some invaluable industry experience which has given me some skills and insight which are unteachable in a classroom or lecture hall.

Starting out in my internship, I was working alongside another engineer who was giving me tasks to assist with their work, this would then be checked over to see if I was understanding the work. As I progressed through the weeks I felt as though more and more trust was installed on me and I felt in the latter stages my work was beneficial to the project.

During the early stages when I was getting to grips with the office and what I was doing I felt very supported by my supervisors and help was readily available. I felt as though I was never just given a task and expected to struggle through it. This made me comfortable to ask further questions and gain perhaps a further understanding than necessary to do the task.

For the main part I was kept busy. Towards the end of my internship, two projects began to overlap and it seemed there was a lot of coming and going in the office. This meant there was a wide range of tasks being done each week. Understandably there was times I had little work while my supervisors were bouncing between tasks but this was rare. Overall I felt utilized and happy with the work I was given.

As previously stated, during the earlier stages my work was checked over for quality and whether I was understanding the tasks. As the internship progressed I was given more and more responsibility. Finally came the time where workers off the shop floor would come into the office asking for an update on a particular task and they would be directed to me.

I felt the experience I gained was very valuable, it has developed my understanding of how a project is delivered and managed. I believe this is something that can not be taught, instead must be seen first hand to understand the problem sand challenges that arise and must be considered. I do not think this is specifically the sector of engineering I will pursuit a career in (fabrication/manufacturing).

The office was an enjoyable place to work. It was serious enough to concentrate on my work but also relaxed enough that colleagues were open to conversation. There was often discussion about things such as the EU referendum and news stories but often reverted back to premier league football and the summer euros. This was good as it helped me gel into the office and not feel like a few member in the office.

The placement was overall well organised and I felt as though I was expected by most people in the office. There was a few IT problems when I arrived which did not get me off to the best start but for the main part I felt there was plan for me. Understandably as things changed in the office and my supervisors visited site there was times of confusion but overall it was good.

After my health and safety focused induction, I was enrolled onto a series of Balfour Beatty online courses, this gave me an understanding of the Balfour Beatty business culture and their aims and objects. I was also present for the annual health and safety stand down where the years health and safety accomplishments were highlighted. Also any notable accidents were recognized and how the group can learn and adapt from them.

Future employment prospects were not explicitly discussed. Although a few colleagues did ask and discuss my future plans and what I wanted to do. I made them aware of the benefits and things I had learned in my time there. I felt as though this feedback was well accepted and they understood the things I said and any confusion that had been clarified during my placement.

There was a weekly sweepstake among colleagues and a Euros football raffle during my time there. It promoted a social atmosphere in the office on a Friday and got everybody involved. Fridays meant early starts but also early finishes, the office had a sort of dressed down dress cone on a Friday which meant I could get the most of the friday afternoons off without being tied up in office wear- a nice change.

There was an on site kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and water fountain, this meant I could bring hot or cold lunch from home. If I didn't bring my own lunch there was a retail park a few minute walk/drive round the corner which had the usual ASDA, McDonalds, Greggs and Subway. These were all usually priced and were a good alternative to bringing your own.

I did not live nearby while on my internship. But I do go to university less than 7 miles away, across the water in Liverpool. Which meant there is definitely the opportunity for a night out. There are places to go and eat and drink such as the baltic triangle and concert square which are popular with university students and other people of that age group.

During my time at Balfour Beatty there were no activities arranged outside of work. However, on the final Friday before I left, it was arranged for sandwiches bought at lunch time for everybody in the office to reward the latest successes of the plant. This was a nice touch and promoted a social atmosphere during lunch.