Undergraduate Engineer Review

The first few months I struggled to adjust to the working life on-site, as it was a very different experience to what I had encountered before at University. There was no structured environment for someone who had never worked in the industry before, so both myself and others in the office weren't quite sure what I was working on. However, nearing the end of the placement, I have settled into my role and help out in various places on site. It has been really interesting to start out as the clueless undergraduate who wasn't sure what was happening on site to the more knowledgable person I am now who can see why certain work was done when, and can have a foresight of the work that is to come.

As mentioned previously, the lack of structured 'scheme' for an undergraduate engineer on site led to my colleagues and I unsure of what I could be asked to do, so I spent a while trying to make my mark. Now, I am an intergral part of the team helping with various jobs around the site.

Again, as mentioned previously, there was a lack of structured scheme for myself as an undergraduate engineer, and it wasn't until I was asked by my University what goals I had for the year that I spoke to my Line Manager about being guided. I received a copy of the Comapny's Graduate Scheme and asked to look through it and pick out 5 sections which I thought would be good to work on. When I asked for help, I received it, however, it would have been nice to have a clear cut and dry scheme for someone in my position to be able to look through and have an understanding of what I was on the placement for, and what I could expect to be asked to do.

Again stemming from the lack of scheme for undergrads, both myself and my colleagues were unsure of what I was doing; this led to my being quite bored in the initial period of my placement. Now that I have spent nearly a year on-site, I normally have plenty to keep me going, and I have got familiar with enough people to be able to ask for more work in certain areas if I am less busy, or ask others for help if I am too busy.

As an undergraduate, I was given very little responsibility. I was told very early on by my Line Manager that I was to never sign anything off, whether it be permits for work, as-builts, or task briefing sheets. The only thing I was allowed to put my name to was to confirm that an inspection or certain work was actually carried out, although there was very little of this that I was required to do. Being limited by what I could do, I have often been asked to do odd-jobs rather than to stick with one thing and follow it through. However, not being stuck to one area, this has given me an overview of the whole site

Depsite having little responsibility, I have been included in training (for example gC.A.T.4+ and GENNY training), learned how to use and calibrate the equipment used by engineers on site, seen how various procedural documents are created, put into force, and filed, and learned many of the skills that an engineer will require in day-to-day working that I will definitely use in the last two years of my degree, and in my career in the future

Open, relaxed, stressful at times, always busy, but not loud. Everyone is approachable for work. You get to know where everyone sits, who's who, and who's responsible for what/works for which company

Previously mentioned, there was no defined scheme for myself as an undergraduate, so I was often aimless as to what I was working towards, who I was working with, or what I was working on

I was included in all training and development on site, even if I wouldn't necessarily be able to use the skills I learned on site due to my position. It was interesting and enjoyable being involved in these training days, as well as being invited to the regular Lunch & Learns which took place while I was on my placement.

The Company's Graduate Excelerate Scheme looks like something that I could be interested in in the future, and know I am clearer on what the various jobs are on site, post-University I would be happy to consider the Company.

Being on site is demanding throughout the week with long hours, so people are often unavailable thoughout the week, and being an organisation throughout the UK and Ireland, most people head home for the weekend and/or have plans.

Working near Newcastle and living in Whitley Bay, for the quality of the area, it's to live in. I haven't really noticed the prices of socialising.

I don't go out

There were two social events organised by the company throughout the year (1 bowling event, and a Christmas dinner), plus sporadic meals organised by friends of colleagues who left.