Mechanical Engineering year in industry or study abroad
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
Original post by clammy-tourney
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
I’m not 100% sure about mechanical engineering but I would assume that it would work similar to most other kinds of engineering (I’ve applied to chemical). I think, since engineering is such a practical and applicable degree, a year in industry would be preferable as it reflects work experience, which is super important for employers to see. If you really want to go for a year abroad, make sure you get plenty of internships at uni because employers just want to see work experience on your CV. But go for whichever course you feel happier with. Hope this helps!
Original post by clammy-tourney
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
A year in industry will help more when it comes to jobs. You'll also get paid for it rather than have to pay for it (though it will add a year to the length of your degree, whereas the time studying abroad is integrated into the degree so it'll be the same length).
Original post by clammy-tourney
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
Hey there , I'm a third year energy engineering student which is a mechanical engineering specialisation degree. I would say that any placement would be the best choice , most lecturers and university strongly advise students to do a placement year , the experience very valuable no matter where you do it. In my opinion an international experience is even more valuable because there is a certain amount of growth that only happens out of your comfort zone and another country is the furthest out of your comfort zone.
My university also strongly advocates for international experiences even if its just for a conference or a summer placement because the understand how valuable it is especially in engineering where problem solving is what we do the most. Going to new places and experiencing different cultures and people shapes the way we solve problems .
I hope this helps .
Cece
Energy Engineering student
De Montfort University
Original post by clammy-tourney
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
On paper the year im industry is the better career decision. In practice studying abroad can be a once in a lifetime experience, especially if you pick somewhere you would be unlikely to visit in a holiday setting.
Looking back I am very glad I did a year in industry, and would probably say it’s the right decision, but honestly would have loved to do study abroad. A third option is you can do your year in industry abroad as well - and ive seen this done, although it is tougher to organise.
Original post by clammy-tourney
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
Hello @clammy-tourney!
It really depends on a number of factors. Universities tend to encourage students to go for a placement if able, and there seems to be a benefit when it comes to securing a role once you graduate as you would have a year of experience under your belt. Nonetheless, I have also been told by some students who did a placement that they would have rather completed the entire course first.
Studying abroad is certainly harder, given that funding tends to be the limiting factor in this case. Universities usually have agreements in place with other institutions abroad so that one can make the transfer for a year. Besides, now with brexit things have become harder to study in mainland Europe.
All the best,
Abian.
Original post by mnot
On paper the year im industry is the better career decision. In practice studying abroad can be a once in a lifetime experience, especially if you pick somewhere you would be unlikely to visit in a holiday setting.
Looking back I am very glad I did a year in industry, and would probably say it’s the right decision, but honestly would have loved to do study abroad. A third option is you can do your year in industry abroad as well - and ive seen this done, although it is tougher to organise.
Looking back I am very glad I did a year in industry, and would probably say it’s the right decision, but honestly would have loved to do study abroad. A third option is you can do your year in industry abroad as well - and ive seen this done, although it is tougher to organise.
This is a good point. Not everything we do needs to be within the context of maximising our (initial) career prospects. That said, given that a studying abroad is integrated into the degree, I am not sure why there are not more degrees offering both (or maybe there are plenty of them, I've not looked).
Original post by clammy-tourney
I am looking into mechanical engineering courses. To those who are studying a form of Engineering, would you rather have a year to study abroad, having a placement year/a year in the industry, or just take to course as it is, i.e. no study abroad or placement year? Not taking cost into account. Thanks!
Hello!
I'd say whichever you think would be best/suits you! As both offer you great experiences! With an industrial placement it is a way for you to learn how it is to be in the world of work, and to gain professional skills as well. It also gives you the chance to see if you would want to work in that field in the future! I can't speak on a year abroad, but it would be a great way to immerse yourself in another culture, and see how it is to study in another country.
Hope this helps!
Kind regards,
-Wanita
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