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Asked by anon-74343 to Will, Steve, Nic, Deane, Amber on 4 May 2020.
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Will Smith answered on 4 May 2020:
There’s not really a defined amount of time, and there are different routes in to it. For me, I finished my A Levels and went to work with a company in Plymouth as part of the Year In Industry scheme (https://www.etrust.org.uk/the-year-in-industry) and then studied at university for four years to get a masters in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. After that I started work but we are training and learning new things all the time!
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Deane Sales answered on 4 May 2020:
I guess it depends on the route you take, having a real enjoyment of engineering helps and university is important so anywhere between 4-6 years
However as engineers we never stop learning, technology changes all the time so there is always new things to learn.
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anon answered on 4 May 2020:
Hello, great question! I left school with GCSE’s and joined the Army. It took me about 18 months of initial trade training to become an electronics engineer. After this I was employed in various roles fixing and maintaining the Army’s equipment such as RADARs and Tanks. I also started a modern apprenticeship when I began trade training which gave me qualifications. Since then, I take every opportunity to learn and and add to my qualifications and experience. I’ve been an Army engineer for 18 years now and I’m still learning.
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Amber Villegas - Williamson answered on 4 May 2020:
Hiya,
Everyone is different so you have to remember that your journey to engineering doesn’t have to be the same as anyone else’s.
After my A-Levels I went to uni to do a bachelors degree which is normally 3 years but it took me 4 years as during my second year exams my grandfather passed away so I had to repeat the year (only studying the classes for the module exams I missed). I got my degree and started working.
I did discover that actually I’m quite good at engineering [I’m awesome, who am I kidding] and it’s just the teaching style you find often in learning environments you get in schools / unis that didn’t suit my learning style. There are loads of good resources online to figure out what type of learner you are and I wish I knew this before uni as I would have adapted my revision to match rather than trying to conform to how people expect you to learn.
Comments
David commented on :
After A-Levels, I completed a 3-year Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a 12-month graduate training programme before my first proper engineering job in a warship at sea. 3 years later I returned to college for and MSc in Marine Engineering.
However, the initial/original training is only part of what one needs. Every job introduces new problems and new challenges. Learning, as an engineer, never stops.
tomstewartbrackenridge commented on :
It is different for everyone. It took me 6 years from finishing high school at 16, until 22 when I finished my BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. Sometimes it is the experience that gets you the position you are applying for along the way, not the qualifications of your education. I advise also doing some work experience closely related to the field you would like to work in as well as education. a BTEC Level 3 in Engineering offers both the experience as well as the education and theory side of engineering.
anon-74343 commented on :
Thanks guys, I really appreciate that you guys took out he time to answer my questions. i assure you i will keep it in mind while decide my future pathway 🙂