Undergraduate Engineer Review

Item: Undergraduate Engineer at Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology
Rating: 4.3
Author: Anonymous

at Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology

Degree Apprenticeship

Engineering

Malmesbury

Review Submitted: March 2022

Overall Rating

4.3 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

3.8/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

4/5

Two days a week in university, three days a week working in the workplace. These are rotations in the first two years, and then a placement team for the final two years. Working on projects in either research, design or development, depending on specialisation and chosen team. Day to day can consist of team meetings, project meetings, planning meetings, technical reviews and more.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I enjoy work, and feel part of a work team. The company is a young company generally, which works for undergrads fitting into work teams, as there's also a lot of other early careers with interns, graduates and apprentices. First proper experience of engineering workplace, so not got a massive comparison, but enjoyable.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

Yes - by the end of the course, BEng in Engineering and Level 6 Product Design and Development Apprenticeship. Internal training to help with workplace teams in CAD, workshop training, electrical safety, cyber security, electronics inductions, solder training, computer language learning (as required), leadership training (as part of SU equivalent) as well as anything needed day to day.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

3/5

Varied - some parts are very well structured, such as the workplace support. The degree side can be slightly less well organised, often from the training provider's side (currently Warwick University, however this changed from 2021 entry to being the Dyson Institute). Most issues are resolved eventually, just there is sometimes initial struggles.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

A lot. The Institute deals purely with our course, and there's 1:1 with Student Support Advisors, at least monthly, or as needed, as well as further support if required with things like disabilities/diagnoses. In the workplace, there's support from line managers, who often also act as technical mentors, or sometimes you have a separate technical mentor.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

3/5

Very receptive to questions, and good at responding. Can vary from lecturer to lecturer as to academic support, some are easier to ask questions to than others, however I suspect this is always the case. The apprenticeship receives some support from provider, and some line managers are very knowledgeable and keen to help where possible.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

3/5

Getting more formal training as we otherwise only have A levels as our technical background. Some theory is relevant, however a lot can be quite abstract and only used in very specific roles. There's a lot of on the job learning with things needed for different work teams in the business.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

5/5

Yes, we have a committee that acts like an SU, as well as early careers networks. There are many clubs to get involved in, for things like activity weekends away, music clubs, or sports clubs like Football club. The company as a whole also has activities such as cycling club.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology to a friend?

Yes

Why?

Hard work, but worth it for the experience, and work experience gained throughout. Supportive environment, so when it's hard there's help around. I've enjoyed it, and would do it again, I enjoy what I do, and think it'll help me make more informed choices about my future career.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology?

You don't have to know everything coming in, if you did there'd be no point. Showing an interest and enthusiasm for engineering is important, as well as being willing to give things a go, you can learn a lot of workplace skills here, and also experience a wide range of industry possibilities.

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