My top 5 tips for young people wanting a career in engineering

With exam results looming, GCSE and A-level students have a range of paths in front of them. The hard part is knowing which path to take. Therefore, I have compiled some advice on what to do in order to pursue a career in engineering:

1) Do an online course as soon as possible.

This blog was written by Vincent Norris, Marketing Coordinator at BSRIA.

I decided to take up an online course during my apprenticeship. Personally, I believe this was the best decision I’ve made as it opened many doors for me when I decided to move on from my apprenticeship. There are plenty of STEM-related online courses to choose from and it’s a great way to spruce up your CV.

2) Be proactive.

At work or university; ask questions, volunteer yourself for projects and suggest new ideas. Occasionally you’ll get things wrong. But if you don’t make mistakes, you’ll never learn from them.

3) Do your research.

Do your research on the university course and look into engineering apprenticeships to ensure you make an informed decision. One thing I would say is that if you do go to university; make sure the course offers a year in industry (placement year).

4) Send your CV to relevant businesses.

Work experience is a brilliant way of gaining the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in Engineering. It will also help you talk with the right people – Networking goes a long way. Any good businesses will be keen to hear from young people, so don’t be shy! Also, don’t forget you can do this between university terms.

5) Make your CV as Engineering-orientated as possible.

Start a blog (or even a vlog) to talk about engineering. Employers will love this as it shows you have a genuine passion for the subject.

If you’re interested in a BSRIA apprenticeship starting in September, send your CV and cover letter to careers@bsria.co.uk ASAP for consideration.