So why are you here?

1. So why are you here? Anne Wilson Head of Careers

2. Some statistics • Engineering has suffered in the recession with a drop in graduate opportunities and the number of graduates entering them. Numbers studying engineering have also declined in recent years • In 20011, Those companies listed in the top 100 graduate recruiters anticipate an increase in graduate jobs of just 0.2% Source; High Flyers Jan 2011# • However; There are notable shortages for engineering professionals in energy generation, utilities and security (Engineering Council UK, 2009) • As at 7th Feb, there were 104 Engineering Opportunities advertised on myAdvantage- jobs and industrial placements

3. All of which suggests: • It is important to understand how to maximise your chances of getting into engineering as a career (if that’s what you want to do) • It’s also important to have a plan B- or to look flexibly at how you could deploy the skills you are developing in other roles • You need to make the most of the resources at your disposal at Warwick to ensure the best outcome for you

4. Whatever your reason for being here, your Warwick studies will provide: • An engineering degree from a highly rated University • Subject knowledge • Ability to deal with complex technical detail* • Logical, Analytical and problem solving skills* • Numeracy and IT skills* • Project and time management experience*

5. What employers think… In addition to a good degree, employers also expect top candidates to show that: • You know yourself – strengths, interests, priorities and that you have illustrative examples of each • You know them – their sector, market, competitive features, possible career paths, and the skills / competencies they look for • You have matched these in a thorough and convincing way

6. Graduate employers’ top priorities for employability: ‘generic graduate’ factors that make the difference • Verbal communication • Written communication • Teamwork • Analytical ability • Learning orientation • Creativity • Interpersonal skills • Problem solving • Self motivation • Flexibility & adaptability • Business acumen • Organisational skills • Energy, enthusiasm • Leadership (taken from an analysis of 10,000 graduate vacancies) These skills employers seek will not all be taught on your degree!

7. Warwick Advantage This website will help you gather the evidence you need to prove yourself to graduate employers or for further study options www.go.warwick.ac.uk/advantage

8. So what do graduate Engineers from Warwick go on to do? First destinations of 2009 Engineering grads BEng (55 responses) MEng (123 responses)

9. Engineering (54) Graduate Engineer, Mott Macdonald Energy Engineering Graduate, BP Graduate Civil Engineer, Tubeline Field Service Engineer for Windpower, Seimens Graduate Stress Engineer, Atkins Business Processing Improver, GKN Aerospace Civil Engineer, Coatsin Examples of Engineering 2009 Graduate Destination Jobs • IT (2) • Junior TextSupport Programmer • Hardware Design Engineer • Commercial, Industrial, Public sector(14) • Research and Innovation Assistant, Akzonobel • Process Engineer, Mars • Global Graduate, IMI plc • Business and financial(10) • Analyst Consultant, Accenture • IT Graduate Analyst Citi • Retail, Hospitality and catering(11) • Duty Manager, Somerfield • Operation Analyst, John Lewis

10. Examples of 2009 Engineering Graduates’ further study Professional Accountancy Chartered Engineering Green Belt in 6 Sigma and lean PGCE PhDs Engineering Material Science Medical Physics Atmospheric Physics Mobile Robotics Civil Engineering Masters Civil Eng Mechanical Eng Electrical Construction Bioengineering Economics and Management

11. The importance of work experience 35% of those graduates who successfully secured graduate job offers with recruiters in the Times top 100 had completed work experience with the same (engineering) employer. Source: High Flyers survey Jan 2011 Work experience is the single biggest factor which will increase your graduate employability.

12. Work Experience Vacancies & information • Vacancies database on myAdvantage– sign up for direct emails • www.prospects.ac.uk vacancies and job info • Job Search Advisers for Wexp strategies • Directories – check for placement opportunities • Newspapers and journals • Fairs here, national, regional • Networking • Voluntary work – Warwick Volunteers • Agency work – UniTemps www.unitemps.co.uk • Internships • Intercalated year placements • Specific Programmes e.g. STEP www.step.org.uk

13. Advice from current unemployed Warwick graduates: • Use the careers service more • Undertake work experience / internship • Get more involved in student societies and extra-curricular activities • Start job hunting earlier • Study harder • Do more research • Write a better CV • When asked what the University could have done to help, 60% said “nothing”.  Additional comments were along the lines of “They provided the right support, I just didn’t use it.” 

14. Some really good things about engineering students • You are the 4th highest users of our services overall • The best represented at Careers Fairs- both Main Graduate • and Engineering and |Technology Fairs • And Warwick Students generally: Warwick is the second most popular University with larger graduate recruiters (after Cambridge) • TARGET jobs quote

15. Support from the Careers Centre What we offer: • Drop in- in person, phone or e mail • Referral to see relevant person to help you • Careers Information – online and in the Careers Hub • Applications and NEW interview workshops • Mock Interviews (need to be booked in person) • Careers Fairs, Employer presentations • Skills workshops What we are unable to offer: • Jobs (we’re not a recruitment agency!) • Lists of recommended employers • Visa or immigration advice

16. Using myAdvantage http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/myadvantage • To find out about events and to book places • To search for opportunities • To be notified about relevant vacancies/internships • To book appointments • To screen out stuff you don’t want to know about- customise your screen view

17. Careers Centre website • http://go.warwick.ac.uk/careers • Access information on: • Career Planning • Key Job Sectors • Making effective applications • Preparing for interviews and Assessment Centres • Departmental webpages http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/departments/science/engug/

18. Careers Centre We’re in University House, Ground Floor, Learning Grid Telephone: 24748 Drop in: Help desk 10.00am to 6.00pm E mail: careers@warwick.ac.uk Andy Lloyd- Departmental Senior Careers Consultant • Departmental drop-in sessions • Sector event • Careers Guidance • Workshops and presentations

19. In summary, there are 6 ways to get the most out of your time at Warwick: • Get work experience – whether voluntary or paid • Get involved in extra curricular activities • Reflect on your skills and what you are learning • Use Student Careers and Skills • Develop your Skills through the USP programme • Get to know your strengths and motivations better – via Warwick Advantage These approaches together, will make your studies really count in the graduate market – and also mean that you enjoy yourself to the full while you are here.

20. Whatever you want… • Remember – Student Careers and Skills is here to support you in: • working out where you want to be, • taking the steps you need to take to get there • What we can’t do, is find you a job – that’s down to you! Good Luck!