• Question: How do yo get invloved in engineering?

    Asked by lukejohnson to Al, Emma, Ivanka, James, Omar on 13 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by ianbernales.
    • Photo: Al Bartlett

      Al Bartlett answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      Hello Luke and Ian,

      The best way to get involved with engineering is to work hard at school and give yourself the best possible chance. GCSE’s are the first step, Maths, Science, Technology and English are very important. After your GCSE’s you could go on to study A-Levels and University or enrol in a Modern Apprenticeship in the engineering subject that you think suits you best – Your school careers advisor will be able to point you in the right direction.

      Do you have any particular types of engineering that you would like to get involved with?

    • Photo: James Vokes

      James Vokes answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      I have to echo Al. The subject you really need (in my opinion) is Maths: it’ll teach you to think logically as well as giving you a good…feel for number in general. From there:Sciences (get involved in any of them, what you’re learning is good scientific methods) and Technology. This is only the start “Engineering” is huge! You need to really think about what interests *you* and what *you* want to do and then try to learn about it yourself using the internet, libraries (where they keep all the books) etc.

    • Photo: Ivanka Brown

      Ivanka Brown answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      I agree with James, maths is very important. Although I was not the top of the class, I use maths in engineering most days, so taking this subject is vital.

      I first got involved in engineering when I was 16 and I did (compulsory) work experience organised by my school. As I chose to do Maths, Physics and Chemistry for GCSE, they decided I should do a couple of weeks in an engineering firm – I went to the company that is now called AECOM. I spent time putting the architects plans onto cross sections of the Corn Exchange in Manchester to see if the architect had planned to remove any structural walls (which would cause problems – to which we then would need to investigate potential solutions). I found it cool that I the work I was doing would be made real so looked into civil engineering.

    • Photo: Omar Mustufvi

      Omar Mustufvi answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      As the rest have said; its important to understand the maths and physics behind the technology. Its also good to understand how things physically work and fit together. I used to love building things with my Meccano set and I still love taking things apart when they stop working! If you are generally curious about how things work then engineering is probably for you.

    • Photo: Emma Bould

      Emma Bould answered on 22 Mar 2012:

      I’m not sure if it’s of any interest to you, however the Royal Navy offer sponsorship schemes for those who want to be RN Engineers……that means you get paid to go to University and they pay your fees in return for joining the Navy. If you are interested there is some information here:

      Before doing GCSE: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/Salaries-and-Scholarships/Pre-GCSE
      Apprenticeships: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/Salaries-and-Scholarships/Pre-GCSE/Apprenticeships
      Here you can select the Engineering Box and it will tell you about all the different types of Engineering in the Royal Navy. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/Explore-Opportunities/Job-Finder

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