• Question: How do you become an engineer?

    Asked by The BrightSpark to Ashwanth, Jeni, Mark, Natalie, Stephen on 10 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Stephen Richardson

      Stephen Richardson answered on 10 Jun 2016:

      There’s probably almost as many ways to becaome and engineer as there are engineers!
      Depends a bit on the type of engineering you want to do. But in most cases, I reckon you need to finish school and then either work your way up through apprenticeships and then HNC / HND, or you stay on at school and do A-levels and a university degree.

      If you get to degree level (either uni or HND) then you can go on to become a Chartered Engineer – you’re then registered with the Engineering Council and you get to put the letters ‘CEng’ after your name – lots of senior level jobs require you to have CEng.

    • Photo: Jeni Spragg

      Jeni Spragg answered on 10 Jun 2016:

      Hi BrightSpark, I think Stephen’s covered that question pretty well 🙂 There’s lots of different routes so you can find the way that suits you best.

      Personally I did a Chemical Engineering degree. University is expensive, but one good thing about engineering is that it tends to give you a good, well-paid job afterwards!

    • Photo: Mark Gowan

      Mark Gowan answered on 10 Jun 2016:

      Stephen has covered it perfectly

      with the name, The BrightSpark, I think you are already an Engineer and you will go far.

    • Photo: Natalie Wride

      Natalie Wride answered on 10 Jun 2016:

      Hi BrightSpark 🙂

      You’ve asked some fab questions!
      I think Stephens pretty much covered everything! There are loads of different ways to become an Engineer – different ways suit different people. I know for some people that struggled with exams and prefered being ‘hands on’ that the apprenticeship route suited them, it depends how you learn and enjoy learning best 🙂

      The one thing I would add is that whilst it’s difficult to get work experience, employers really value it! Some Engineering Institutions (like the Institution of Civil Engineers) can provide scholarships to support you in University if you choose that route and some partner you with a company to help get that experience.

      It’s worth saying ANY job you have, even a paper round or a Saturday job now, can demonstrate skills that are important for an Engineer such as organisation and communication skills 🙂

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