• Question: Is there a need for a university graduate to go back to basics and actually get his hands dirty before he can master a specific engineering skill?

    Asked by madalinaf to Ben, Dan, Samer on 17 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Dan Weatherill

      Dan Weatherill answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      I think it depends on the type of engineering. I did a degree in physics, and my work is right at the border between physics and electrical engineering. Personally I’d had a fair bit of getting my hands dirty during my degree which was pretty relevant. I’m not sure I’d trust some of the engineering graduates straight out of university to build me a bridge on their own though! Experience counts for a lot I think.

    • Photo: Ben Drumm

      Ben Drumm answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      Certainly as a mechanical engineer it’s MASSIVELY useful to have an appreciation of how things are manufactured and what tools and equipment are used to make things – having gone through university this is a skill I lack (although I have recently completed some workshop training). That sort of knowledge helps make your designs better (they will be easier to make, cheaper etc.) because you have that understanding.

      I wouldn’t say there is a NEED for a graduate to get their hands dirty, but if you do you’ll be in a much better position that those that haven’t!

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