Any Engineers?

[Wozza]

What area of engineering do you work in, and how did you get there?
I'm particularly interested in hearing from those without degrees.

[Villers]

Im primarily and electrical/instrumental engineer working within the Nuclear industry.

My job is basically covering several areas and one specialist area. My specialist area is looking after the instruments that monitor the aerial discharge system for the whole of a fuel reprocessing plant. That involves a lot of repairs, sourcing spares, design, compliance with the EA and the NII etc.

I started as an E&I apprentice at a paper mill, done roughly 4 years training where 3 years were hands on. Moved to the nuclear place and I was on the tools for about 5 years, basically showing an interest such as reading manuals, ammending documents, correcting drawings, becoming an expert on the different instruments and anything else I could do to stand out. I ended up being team leader for the team I started with and got some supervisory qualifications. After that it was a case of passing the internal interviews and carrying on what I had started doing, learning and showing interest. Coming up with ideas and problem solbing also helped. I am now at the companys Engineer level but without a degree. Its worth about 40K at the moment but there is still room to expand and with being an engineer that has learnt through hands on there are times when you have a distinct advantage over the bookworm engineers (although not when it comes to job applications unfortunately and doing ridiculous mathst without real world application).

It can be done but only with a bit of graft, there are lads who had been in the team that I first joined for a good few years before me but I leap frogged because they made no effort whatsoever to better themselves.

I do have a small admiration for the paper engineers however as theres no way I could have done it personally
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[Fawbish]

I'm an electrical design engineer - apprentice < Wouldnt be fooled by that title though.

Im in fourth year of training, and I originally applied to an engineering training centre, called HETA.

I did a year learning a mix of skills, but got accepted by my company early on in the year and so my training was electrically biased...but I can also weld/machine/fit etc

Started this at 16, as soon as I left School, but didnt really know what I properly wanted to do tbh. Was on £115 a week at first.

In my first year I got an NVQ2 qualification, and carried on doing part time education with HETA in my second year, and completed an ONC (Ordinary National Certificate) - All pretty easy tbh, if you're remotely intelligent its a doddle. Second year I was on around £160 a week.

I've moved around my company following a loose training plan where you experience different parts of the company and what it does. My company builds airports and baggage handling systems.

Third year I was on around £210 a week i think. (This is take home, after tax btw)

I now design the baggage handling systems, but I can build the electrical panels that control the systems, learned and am furthering my knowledge of PLC and Networking systems, I worked in the factory building conveyors, worked in the Development department for 6 months, which ended in me being sent off to Quebec, Canada for a month and a half.

So, if you go to Quebec Airport, I designed the electrical system for it

Its pretty good tbh. Now Im on salary, and I take home £1200 a month(about 17K pa), and I've just turned 20, so its worked out well. Though I'm definitely not the best payed apprentice around, tbh, Im fairly low paid compared to some I know.

Alongside actual work and university, I've completed an NVQ level 3, and am now in the middle of an NVQ4 (Managing etc).

As long as picking up various training along the way (etc 17th Edition Electrical regs course, trained HnS, Slinging and Lifting, PAT Testing etc theres loads more...I should really update my CV just incase something goes awry )

Im on the second year of a part time degree course aswell, all sponsored by my company, so I pay nothing towards my tuition.

Apprenticeships are the way to go, in my opinion. Even though its more stressful, I've experienced a lot more "real life" than the average "cant be arsed" full time students my age, and when Im fully qualified (around a year or so after they are) I will already have 7 years or so actual experience in industry behind me, and will probably become a Chartered Engineer by the time I'm 24/25. Thats the plan anyway.

Wow, rambled a bit. Hope this gave a bit of insight.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[rc211v]

Computer Engineer here.

Well... i took it up as a course in university, and here I am now teaching it in the same university I went to.
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VFR400 (NC30)

[MarJay]

I am a Project/solutions/broadcast engineer for a company that makes broadcast systems and equipment.

I started as a trainee and worked my way up. I don't have a very lofty job title, but I get paid OK and I have a fair amount of responsibility.

I have to travel a bit, go on site and install our automation systems and its sometimes fun. Not sure what else to say really!
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[GeorgeCBR]

Ive just started out on my apprenticeship, im a mechanical engineer, for a place called wichita, we make clutches for marine and mining equipment. I started out at a training centre local to me, doing NVQ lvl 2 in carpentry, did it for about 8 months, looked for jobs all over the place, couldn't find a thing, then this training centre offered me a place at this engineering firm. So i did all the interviews etc, and got the job, i spent 6 months solid at the training centre doing my NVQ lvl 2 in mechanical engineering, and now im doing 1 day at college and 4 days at work, studying level 3.

Tbh the honeymoon period has passed, and i don't enjoy the job as much as when i started, mainly because of my managers, however i'm getting paid and educated, and i have a 5 year contract
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|| Ride - Kawasaki Z1000 & Honda Bali 50 || Theory - Passed || Practical - Passed ||

Previous || Suzuki Bandit 600N - Honda CBR 125 - Gilera Runner 50

[Nufkamp]

I'm a project engineer in the diesel fuel injection industry. Did 4 year apprenticeship then spent 12 years working on the production lines, mainly on multi-spindle and rotary transfer machines with some CNC grinding and electro-chemical machining processes thrown in for good measure. Was promoted in 1995 to my current position which involves responsibility for the first 3 stages of the manufacturing process (turning and 2 different deep-hole drilling operations.)

Hmm, starting to look a bit like a CV..........
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[V2]

[carvell]

Electronic (RF) Engineering.

Currently work for https://www.l-3com.com/trl as an RF Design Engineer.

Are you contemplating whether to do a degree or not? If so, do a degree.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[nasty]

Network Engineer (I.T.)

Don't have a degree, don't really need one unless I wanted to move into a non-technical mangerial role or the likes.

I did a PC support course and gained the qualification, got an entry level job to gain experience and then just kept going from there learning all the time, I'm still not at the point in my career I would like to be but I'm well on the way.

I work only on Cisco networks at the moment, providing support etc. In the past I've worked on PC's, Servers and Networks for some big clients in the Defence and Central Government sectors as well as Private sector firms.

Currently work for the IT Service division of a well known telephone company
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ZX6R F3

[2Hondas]

Broadcast Automation Engineer.
Sounds a bit dull but involves a lot of travelling. in 2008 i went to:
India, Australia, Israel, Sweden, Ukraine, Slovakia, Spain, Egypt and a few more that I can't remember.

It requires a lot of specialist knowledge, and a knowledge of a lot of difference devices.

I got a Computer Science degree and after putting my CV online looking for a networking job, I was called by a recruitment consultant asking if I wanted to try something a little different.

I did, so went for a couple of interviews and got the job.
Been there over 2 years now and have learned a hell of a lot.

Mine and Marjay's companies are probably rivals to each other, it's a pretty small niche industry.
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Current - 2010 Kawasaki ER-6n - Green
Previous - 2000 Honda CB600F Hornet - Yellow
Previous - 2007 Yamaha YBR125 -Blue

[TomR6]

Civil/Traffic Engineer, got recruited on a trainee program from Local Government. Getting put through my degree and whatever other training I want, all paid for by them.(Left school with 6 Gsce's).

Work on designing new road schemes, really enjoying it. Pay is on a very good scale and there's loads of benefits.
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2005 Yamaha R6

[MattHirst]

Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer here

Straight after i left school (well a couple of months later) i started a mechanical engineering apprenticeship at a training center called 'KITS'. They got me to several companies for interviews and got offered 2. Turned 1 of them day (however they paid more at the time) and went with the company i work for now, Halco Drilling International (now owned by ww.terex.com)

Got my NVQ 2 & 3 and would of gone onto do advancded part programming this year at college (1 day a week) but due to my accident in june i couldn't.

Finished all my college now, just got another 6 months to go (when i finally get back to work) and complete my NVQ portfolio and then i will be fully qualified.

I started actually working at my firm on 20th may 2006 and they move you around all the different areas in the factory such as manual turning, manual radial drill and horizontal borer, CNC lathes, CNC milling, manual and CNC grinding, paint booth, stores, inspection, design office and you spend 2 weeks working with the lean manufacturing dude. I was working full time on a pair of CNC lathes and a CNC broaching machine and i thoroughly enjoy it.

At one point i was considering giving it up, going to college to get some a levels and going to uni but i am glad i didn't now.

Not entirely sure what the future holds for me but it is a fairly secure industry/job as we are involved in the miming and quarrying industry.

The pay was pretty poor to start with, it went like this -

While at training centre (although employed my current employer) - £90 a week (untaxable)
After starting at the firm - £136 a week
After my birthda - £185 a week
After 2nd birthday - £220 a week

I then went on to get shift pay and bonus's (which are included in my standard pay packet regardless) and i am now on £390 a week (just over £20k). Not bad for a 19 year old i don't think
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[DXB]

Mech Eng,been doing Gas Turbines for the last 15 years got all my quals from the RAF.

Cash wise its all dependant on what part of the world i am in but averages between 300 to a 1000 quid a day
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superchargers good

[Fawbish]

[MattHirst]

[Fawbish]

*tries to think of something to combat that*




...



...




My company sent me to Canada for a month and a half, on extra pay, all expenses paid. I believe that is the definition of Pyrrhic victory
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[MattHirst]

But the company i work for (www.terex.com) make big diggers and stuff

No seriously, once i am qualified and all that malarky, i have the oppurtunity to work in america if i wish (not just me, anybody at my factory has the chance). Not sure if i could now though being a cripple and all (don't know if i'd pass the medical to get a visa)

I'll try and blag my way to go to some of the exhibitions that my work send some folk to

I also get to go to Mach for free, as i did in 2008
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[blahheed]

any jobs going?

[Cigaro]

I'm a software engineer (aka paid computer geek). Got the job at 16, and now (nearly 5 years later) I'm still here. I do also build and repair computers and networks. Plan to try for a degree soon though.

[carvell]

[MattHirst]

Place i work at is always looking for new people, not sure about now as i haven't been to work for 6 1/2 months

But last time i worked we were 11 machine setters/operators short, this time last year we were 16 people short.

If your close to halifax, have and a HNC (they prefer HNC qualified people for some reason ) then look in the Halifax Courier, they is always an advert in there advertising
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[firefox]

secuirty/install engineer, saw an ad in the paper and applied, for adt, they put me through college for the 2330 and 17th edition. started on around 250 a week when i left school, been there for 3 years now, have a company car and a easy job.
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bye bye gti <^>( ' . ' )<^>
*officer* what caused the crash ? *firefox* you see that wall up there sir ?
*officer* yes what about it *firefox* i tooted my horn but it refused to move i had to teach it a lesson.

[J.K.R]

Right at the bottom of the ladder at the moment, Started a 4 year mechanical engineering apprenticeship with FMC technologies around 7 months ago. At college 5 days a week (3 in a machine shop, 2 doing an NC), In june it will be 4 days at the workplace and day release at college doing a HNC, 3rd year is the same but working towards a HND and 4th year will be full time.

Was out of school for a year working as a bike mechanic and thought this has more prospects, Only place i applied for
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[instigator]

Mechanical Design Engineer
Building Services
I got there through 4 years at University and mastering the art of blagging my way through interviews.