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The Value of an Engineering Degree
Dave Johnson M.Eng.
Content
• Introduction & background
• Degree choice
• Degree subjects
• Use of degree in employment
• Realised values
• Summary
Background
• Traditional ‘A’ Level route into H.E.
• M.Eng Civil Engineering 1996-2001• University of Surrey• Industrial Placement (Costain Ltd)
• Employment Costain Ltd• Variety of experience
• Future – CPR with the ICE
Degree Choice• Interest & ability in Sciences & Technology
• Good academically but also highly practical
•Opinions - parents, teachers & employers
•Opening to awe inspiring careers.
Academic Practical
Subjects Taught• Foundation skills
Key Sciences Personal skills Numeracy Communication Research capability Leadership &
Teamwork Time management IT
• Specific Subjects Analysis Geology & soils Steel & RC Design Fluids Law & contract
Degree use in Employment
• New Environment / People• Ability to adapt & learn quickly• Regular new concepts
• Personal skills• Managing time / workload• Confidence in abilities• Independent evaluation and decision making
• Integral part of team• Leadership, delegation, motivation• Communication.• Multi-disciplinary understanding
Degree use in Employment
• Managing people, plant & materials• Clear logical thought & organisation• Multiple concurrent activities
• Technical knowledge• Broad range of subjects • Knowing where to get more information from.
• Commercial Knowledge• Contract & procurement• Negotiation skills• Appreciation of costs
Example Illustration
• 2 Years – Site based experience• Part of team 100+ people Multi disciplined• Contractors site based engineer.
• Internal secondment to HR Dept.• Promoting ‘Building Awareness’ Initiative• PR function
• Time management• Budget control• Planning / Programming• Communication
Realised Values
• Challenging degree.
• Transferable & adaptable skills.
• Respected & valued qualification.
• Solid foundation for future learning.
• Keeps options open.
• Hybrid of general (Broad) and specific (Focused)
• Industry relevant learning – exciting.
• Opportunity to add value early in career.
Conclusions• Engineering so diverse & dynamic
• Degree directly reflects this – Balanced
• Tool kit for further learning• Graduates primed for workplace learning• Many key skills taught
• Best skilled graduates • Transferable skills• Valued qualification• Practical, organised, confident, strong logic.
15 of the FTSE top 100
companies are run by people
with engineering qualifications