Engineering Placement Review

I was on a rotational placement so spent my 12 months divided over 3 departments. I was given various projects to work on and would have regular meetings with different people to get feedback/guidance. I worked on various things from electrical PCB design, 3D CAD modelling and 2D engineering drawings. Day to day I would be on site working in the engineering building, and would often go to the factory to work with technicians on filling out their requests for new test rig designs ect.

This placement gives so much responsibility. All of my projects felt important and were used by the company, be it a test rig I designed and modelled or a electrical pcb I made and got manufactured. Speaking to friends at other placements who received little responsibility, I cannot relate. Cummins does a good job of supporting you and teaching the skills even if you are a complete beginner like myself.

My engineering theory and practical skills have massively been developed, learning how to do professional CAD designs as well as working with other engineers brainstorming design solutions and working to get them manufactured. I would have around 3 or 4 projects over a 4 month period where I would go to various people and get help/guidance on different engineering fields + feedback on my work. My communication skills and confidence grew massively as I was challenged in a safe and productive environment where I was encouraged to ask questions and make mistakes.

4/5 hours per week of support meetings where we would go through the work I was doing and would receive relevant feedback and guidance on what to do next. People spent many hours sitting down with me going over all the engineering theory and wanted to help you succeed and improve as an engineer.

The culture was very open and encouraged questions and mistakes. We were given a lot of training and taught about its history. Every staff member I spoke to would immediately help me and spend time advising on what needed to be done. People felt free to share their experience and knowledge. The work culture was flexible with working at home 2 days a week allowed and hours also being flexible.

I had an amazing time at Cummins from the engineering skills, interesting projects and work sponsored volunteering at a local school to build a race car! I would recommend any student to go to Cummins and become a better engineer. It is a great space to learn and improve without feeling the pressure of university to always perform. I learnt so much here and can see why a lot of students come back after their degree.

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