Two-thirds of engineering graduates are still reasonably or very confident about finding a job, with energy cited as one of the attractions, according to a survey carried out by gradcracker.com – the careers website for engineering students.
The organisation says this result is in stark contrast to a recent survey by the National Union of Students which showed that only 20% of all graduates were similarly confident.
In a further contrast with recent surveys of this summer’s graduates, 93% of the engineering students said they would be willing to relocate to find work.
And yet it seems that a survey by recruitment marketing agency TMP Worldwide found that only 66% of all graduates were prepared to relocate.
Gradcracker says it believes that this difference is not a sign that engineering graduates are more desperate for work than other graduates, but that many would have set their sights on a career with a global company before the recession hit.
“The recession has clearly had an impact – 34% of those graduates planning to go on to further study or take a gap year are doing so because of perceived limited career prospects,” says Gradcracker.
“And 53% of the engineering students said they were willing to undertake unpaid work experience or internships if it increased their chances of finding work.
“Engineering students are also rethinking which sector to work in, 18% having changed their mind because of the recession. There was a notable drift away from the automotive industry towards sectors such as defence, energy and transport.”
Gradcracker’s head of student communications, Annie Greenfield-Edwards, said the reason why the survey was carried out was because graduate surveys tend to be general rather that selective in their approach.
“There have been a number of surveys of graduates during the recession but, as an engineering-focused site, we wanted to hear the views of our niche audience,” says Greenfield-Edwards.
“Certainly, many engineering employers have frozen or reduced their graduate programmes, but a good number have continued to recruit. We were a little concerned that potential engineers might have simply given up hope in the light of generally negative news. We were pleased to see that this is not the case.”
The survey results can be viewed at gradcracker.com
Meanwhile, Aquaterra, which is a name that should be familiar to some Energy readers, is on the lookout for a trainee project engineer for field development work. The company’s field development business unit is responsible for three main product lines – Sea Swift platforms, hook-up and commissioning, and pipeline commissioning – and the successful candidate would be involved in assisting in the management of projects and activities involving all three product lines.
Aquaterra says the role would include assisting with liaison with clients at all stages of a project, from initial sales contact to quotation submission, through to product delivery.
Judging from the brief carried by gradcracker, the role will present plenty of challenges and opportunities for the right individual to develop.
Interested in the trainee project engineer post? Then apply via recruitment@ aquaterraenergy.com