Engineering your success: Top business-facing Engineering schools

25 Jan 2018

According to a recent CIPD report, talented engineering graduates are struggling to secure a step on the long-term employment ladder. This is mainly due to the fact that a majority of students are haunted by neglected workplace opportunities. A vital lack of industry links on aspiring graduate CVs means engineering schools are urging learners to interact with industry throughout their degree.

Engineering is like an enormous box full of tools and techniques that help speed up the world’s efficiency. Engineers help to build the future by fixing errors and developing new mechanisms. They use their creativity to design innovative solutions and solve critical issues. It’s a profession that connects with virtually every global sector and there’s a whole realm of fields in which you have the potential to specialise. For instance, to accommodate the rise of the digital age, jobs such as tech and data engineers have emerged. It’s clear to see that new technologies have torn open a tremendous job portal and upgraded industry roles. As The Engineer states, “in the competitive global market that the digital age has created, engineers are under even more pressure to be productive. The decisions that engineers make every day increasingly impact our world, environment and the sustainability of our future.”

This is great news if your heart is set on becoming an engineer as there will always be a job opportunity out there waiting for you – but this also means that your skillset must be current and up-to-date. And if you merge your skills with modern market trends, you’ll gain a leading advantage over competition. This is where previous work placements and company connections come to hand. By surrounding yourself with knowledgeable colleagues and an engineer-friendly environment, you’ll get a sizeable taster of exciting things to come.

The next step is to select a school whose engineering syllabus can be constructed around your career. A degree will bring you one step closer to your dream job, so you’ll want to ensure that you’ve chosen your preferred field of study. In the UK, for example, the recent launch of the Year of Engineering 2018 campaign triggered a rapid wave of media attention. This modern and exciting campaign promotes a positive representation of the sector. By incorporating the global perspective that engineering is the future, this is just one of many movements backing the current crowd of graduates. So if you hope to become an integral member of the engineering community, check out what’s on offer at these forward-thinking institutes…

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING – AALTO UNIVERSITY

In the year 2010, Aalto University opened a global gateway for ambitious academics. Founded in Finland, the university is now home to a rich collection of multidisciplinary science, technology and arts courses. The School of Engineering encourages students to aim high, offering world-class facilities for energy technology, civil and environmental engineering, surveying, marinen and arctic technology, mechanical engineering and more. Learning by doing is a crucial part of education.

Aalto adopts the attitude that people are their greatest asset. With a network bursting with contacts from the engineering sector, this institute grants you exclusive access to top-tier organisations.

In the Aalto Design Factory community you can challenge your engineering skills with students from business and art, and become one of the the world’s best product designers. The university boasts a thriving student-start up scene, offering you a unique space to test your skills. For instance, you could contribute to the Startup Sauna, Slush Helsinki and Aalto Entrepreneur Society. Getting involved with these organisations and business-based study projects will seriously boost your professional repertoire.

Finland is one of the most technologically-advanced countries on the planet, so if you choose to study engineering here, you’re already five steps ahead of the competition! Aalto University and the School of Engineering provide interactive spaces for researchers, students and professional practitioners to discuss ideas and develop sustainable solutions. By combining experience with a degree from Aalto, you’ll be unstoppable in the global job market.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING – LUND UNIVERSITY

Life at Lund University is exciting for any aspiring engineer. Situated in Sweden, thousands of international students are swayed by the institution’s wide array of Master’s programmes. Taught in both English and Swedish, your course will engage a variety of applicants with intriguing viewpoints to invigorate classroom discussions. The campus provides a home away from home and you’re welcome to explore its facilities via an online virtual tour.

One particular course that stands out among a wide selection of schemes is the Embedded Electronics Engineering (EEE) programme. A key component to the EEE syllabus is the chance to work with Lund’s current PhD students; through face-to-face interaction, you’ll gain a better understanding of what it means to work in the research field. As many graduates have gone on to work with companies such as Axis and Sony, you’ll acquire first-hand knowledge about the industry and where your degree could lead.

Lund University recognises the importance of the link between job expectations and a degree in engineering. That’s why the school incorporates specific modules to help shape your path and professional aspirations. A degree from Lund is a lifelong accomplishment that will unlock many doors within the engineering sector.

FACULTY OF SCIENCE – UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM

Known as one of Europe’s most prominent research universities, this school has delivered distinguished education excellence since 1632. For students entranced by the world of engineering, you may want to check out the University of Amsterdam’s software engineering course. Due to the constant movement of technological industries, this course teaches you the patterns and techniques to needed to tackle complex technical issues. Since most of the university’s engineering schemes provide the option to study alongside a job, your future prospects are positive.

The System and Network Engineering (SNE) research group is another prime focus of the Faculty of Science. Through this initiative, engineering students are exposed to the optimal use of high-speed networks and how to develop effective grid middleware. By connecting your skills to the research group’s academic environment, you’ll get the chance to spark new ideas and generate revolutionary methods.

Or, if you’re interested in the Global Exchange programme, you can check out the requirements for system and network engineering and software engineering here. Nestled within the Netherlands, it’s the ideal location for international study. You’ll be at the heart of a city oozing with innovation and intensive academic facilities. With around 30,000 students from around the world, the University of Amsterdam is attracting a diverse pool talent year after year.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE – UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

University College Dublin (UCD) defies the ordinary and delivers an extraordinary education in engineering. This college fosters key industry links and merges them into multifunctional modules. The Graduate School gathers prospective students from around the globe and presents them with the option to study various forms of engineering. For instance, you can delve into Bioprocess Engineering, Mechanical & Materials Engineering, and even Biosystems Engineering.

If you’re wondering about the options that are available to you after your Bachelor’s degree, you may look into obtaining a PhD in engineering from UCD. An integral part to every postgraduate experience at this college is the Research and Professional Development plan (RPDP). The structure is there to keep you on track and to provide you with a clear research focus. With this professionally-formulated plan in place, your future won’t feel so daunting.

UCD elucidates essential information required for a prosperous career in engineering, also enhancing your life skills by encouraging you to prepare presentations, produce progress reports and write up your thesis. Plus, with the chance to combine your degree with work placements and research opportunities, your employability rate likely to increase. With over 320 staff dedicated to your aspirations, you’ll feel fully supported throughout your engineering education.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International