Engineering/University advice wanted

[Graeme01]

Basically i left school with the idea of wanting to be an engineer and landed an advanced apprentiship with a colege called TTE being sponsored by Shell. I have since completed the apprentiship in March of this year and been working as a mechanical technicain at Shell Stanlow since. The problem is im basically a mechanical fitter and i know i can do more as im not challenged enough. I have been doing a mechanical HNC and finish it in june next year. I had confronted the company and asked if they would sponsor me to do a degree part time day release and they have basically told me to jog on by asking for me to get an a-level in physics and pure maths and then they would consider me for a part time degree which would bring me out about 30 years of age. Im just turned 21 at the minute and took it upon myself to apply to good universities around my area including Leeds and manchester to study mechanical engineering full time, not really expecting any good results. That was two weeks ago and leeds have just given me a conditional offer for 2011 entry. I am over the moon but i now need to decide if leaving the company to get a degree is the right thing to do at the present time we live in.

I know i have a well payed job for my age with good overtime with a prestigous company but i cant see my self going anywhere with it very quickly and i dont liek working onn the tools. I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on what they would do in my position?

Basically i want to work as an engineer on maybe big projects possibly abroad where i use my head a lot more than just mechanical fitting. What are the job prospects like coming out of university with a Beng degree at present?

Any advice would be appreciated both positive and negative as its becoming a very hard decision to make.

many regards

Graeme

[mucklestone]

Well I would say if you do want to go to uni do it soon before this government puts the fees up threefold!

A degree would open new doors for you and you can always fall back on the skills you already have.

It just depends of how dependent you are. If you are single and can afford to live cheaply then why not, go and get a degree and enjoy it along the way.

If you are married or have children you need to support I would say stick with the job!

[keefy*2010]

Well I would say if you do want to go to uni do it soon before this government puts the fees up threefold!

A degree would open new doors for you and you can always fall back on the skills you already have.

It just depends of how dependent you are. If you are single and can afford to live cheaply then why not, go and get a degree and enjoy it along the way.

If you are married or have children you need to support I would say stick with the job!

But I served my time as and electrician but took a strong interest in learning how to design wiring diagrams and mechanical fitting/welding etc I took voluntary redundancy and never looked back after that. My experience gained in my first job carried me to quite a few companies and countries in the world and i only ever had 2 weeks with no work of my own doing when i left a company. It just depends what you really want and if you want to still get your hands dirty if you see what I mean.

[GazVXLINE170]

Having graduated 3 years ago m8, and then being made redundant 3 months ago, and now working on a temporary basis, I wouldn't advise uni just yet.

Why not do your A-levels at college at night? The company has said they would sponsor you should you have A-level Physics and Maths, so with this is in mind and bearing in mind what the government is doing, I would definitely do what the company has asked so they will sponsor you.

Gazza4

[Grimy]

I'd consider engineering HNC / HND level maths an equal if not higher level than A Level math, so I done understand their stance.

[mickg]

i would say try foster wheller and do HNC part time one day a week thats what i have done to anable me to get qualification and expirience at the same time... different subject thou..

[marly]

Getting a BEng will serve you well in later years but it's also quite often how much get up and go you have that will really push your career forwards. I've been in engineering for 15 years and really love my job so look forward to new challenges I also earn a pretty good salary. Although a lot of engineering has moved out if the country there are still some good companies out there and talented guys a are never short of work. Also once established you can contract for decent rates 350-500 a day, I imagine mechanical will be similar. Best of luck

[the_wave_rider]

I have been doing engineering for the past 21 years. I did a 4yr apprenticeship and then went on and did an OU degree and then my NVQ 5. Biggest waste of time for me. I work in the offshore sector as a support engineer with mech/hyd/software bias. Are they interested in a degree? Most are not the apprenticeship speaks a thousand words and tell most employers you have been trained correctly. From my experience that is a bigger selling tool then having a degree. I think the market has been saturated with people having degrees and companies are beginning to look for the experience route again.
With that sort of exp you will be day rating offshore if self employeed around £400-£500 but you need the contacts which take years to get, agency anything from £250 - £350 but you have to be prepared to go at the drop of a hat or work for an offshore company and get between £400 - £600 a day

[hutch]

stay where you are mate. uni degrees are worth didly squat, and youll end up looking for another job along with the other thousands with the same degree. like you say you have a well paid job which pays the bills. going to uni will leave you with 25grand of debt at a time when you need all your earnings for a mortgage. you can always do a open uni degree in your own time and try for a better career later on. oooo just read wave riders reply.......like he says employers want time served craftsmen ad thers a huge shortage of them...good old maggie!!! so wages in this sector are increasing steadiy year on year.

[Big Sig]

I have my HNC is Engineering but I wasn't allowed by my company to do my HND - i was told its 1st year degree level?

Looking back i wish i had done it and i am still thinking about a degree. If you can do it and have the chance then imo DO IT. It only ever looks good on a CV. I work for Nestle and most of the management positions require a degree level qualification so instantly i am at a disadvantage.