What route for Electrical engineer.

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 21:16

Hi,

Linked with my "Apprenticeships?" thread , and with inspiration from where to go after year 11?.

I want to be an electrical engineer, But I'm wondering what route would be better, apprenticeship or the academic route of 6th form and collage.

I know both ways i will end up in Uni, and that the apprenticeship route will take longer to be a fully fledged engineer, but I will have more experience.

Also I am currently doing a "young Apprentice" program , that leads to a few level 2 NVQ's in PEO2 if that helps. Because of this it would be easier for me to get a apprenticeship through the funding company.

If need any more info , or it doesn't make sense just ask me

Thanks,
Ripped.

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 21:35

Thanks for the info.

But i Was looking to be a electrical engineer, and not a spark, my dad is a spark

, but he doesn't like the idea of me being one as well, for some reason. :S

Thanks,
Ripped

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 21:43

What you mean? like A Levels ?

I don't think you need them, I've only show a few Vacancies that need them.

If level 2 is GSCE I know you have to have them, i will receive my results in august and will finish the engineering course by sometime in may.

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 22:05

Wow so many replies, cheers every one

What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.

Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.

The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.

At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me

.

Sorry for all that,
Ripped

EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprenticeship and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 22:10

Wow so many replies, cheers every one

What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.

Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.

The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.

At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me

.

Sorry for all that,
Ripped

EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprentice and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 22:32

I Prefer Practical Learning , so would prefer the Apprenticeship route( been doing some quick research). Im not saying that im crap at school or anything , Im predicted A's in maths and science. ( lower in English, C, as you can tell by my writing).

If i took the apprentice route, then got a sponsor(for example) for Uni, (did well) would there be any thing holding me back?

I don't really under stand the Requirements and didn't realise the uni's around me were actually any good, so could i get in to uni the apprenticeship way.

Ps, "Mucky_Pup" what uni do you attend, and what type of diploma did you get a after leaving school

Thanks muchly,
Ripped.

ripped · 13 Jan 2011 at 22:36

Im off to bed guys( and Girls), Keep posting if you wish , but i wont reply till atleast half 7 tomorrow

You's all have been really good,thanks

Night,
Ripped

ripped · 14 Jan 2011 at 16:13

I've pretty much changed my mind, i would probably be better going through the acidemic route, and getting placements in holidays, would i get them once in uni or could i apply for one once in 6th form.

Also my schools closet course to electronics is systems and control, would this be best or would it best to brave the ~20 mi journey to newcastle collage

ripped · 14 Jan 2011 at 22:44

Thanks Again everyone.

It looks like the Academic route is going to be better then.

These Sandwich courses? Are they just the normals ones with a year release from uni , in to a job? Are they the ones that you work at in the holidays as well, kinda similar to A sponsorship.

The company that sponsors the Engineering course Have gave me information on a thing called PEDAR (professional engineering development and retention) which seems to be similar to the sandwich course , but you get the 1 years "work experience" before you start. John , the dude from TDR ( the "sponsor" company) said we'd apply for the uni place, ask them to hold it for a year, whilst we did the WE year, and i would start a year later, but i would have work in the holidays, and a potential Job at the end. Also we get to keep in contact with TDR and use there mentors if needed.

What one would be better? I'm thinking PEDAR because of the obvious benefits, but the sandwich course is more common.

EDIT; i have just read the above comment, and to be honest, I Quite enjoy maths, im not sayings it fun, but its enjoyable when i can do the stuff. I Am not the best, but have got a A and An A* in Module 3 and 1, But the hardest,5, is coming , and that has trig. etc in , so we will see.

So if i stay at sixth form , will definatly do maths and physics, probably Systems and control, Not sure on the 4th, but i will have to drop one for year 13 ( 4 in year 12, and 3 in year 13). One is called AS and the other A2 but im not sure which way round, and tbh why i have to drop one.
Thanks,
Ripped.

ripped · 15 Jan 2011 at 00:00

DB_SamX said:
Just a note on sandwich courses: the uni doesn't find you a placement. You are expected to find one yourself with their help. If you can't find one, you can just carry on studying the year after i.e. standard degree format. Good degree (preferably MEng) and good placement = much better odds of getting onto a grad scheme.

So it would be Better to apply for that PEDAR than the sandwich? because I will probably get some help finding the placement.

Amp34 said:
Systems and Control is Design Tech (well DT anyway). It's the more electronic/design part rather than woodwork style stuff.

It would be a good Choice to take then?

If so that's maths, physics, and systems and control, What other one should i choose, and is it worth it to go to Newcastle collage instead of my school sixth form?

Cheers,
Ripped.

ripped · 21 Jan 2011 at 21:25

Thread is getting away now but;

I've had a quick look on the IET site, but cant find any info on what Uni's are "accredited"? :S

Cheers,
Ripped

Edit; Found it.

so , looking ahead 2 years, would i just take one of the courses on the list, get experience and then apply for Chartered Status?

Im a bit confused here. Also what's the difference between BEng and MEng (Did i ask this before:S)

http://www.theiet.org/careers/accreditation/academic/downloads/accreditedprogs.cfm?type=pdf (link for .pdf of list)

ripped · 21 Jan 2011 at 21:44

Ok,

Cheers again.

I think I have all the information i need now , Apart from one thing.

I need to choose a 4th A level to take that will help me get in to uni. So for I have narrowed it down to;

1)Systems and Control,
2)Maths,
3)Physics.

I was thinking Chemistry maybe , but is there any that you's can think of?

Ill be able to give you a list of the subjects available in a week or so.

Once i have figured that out , it should be the end of this thread eventually

. Then ill make a new one in 2 years time when Applying for uni

.

Thanks,
Ripped.

ripped · 21 Jan 2011 at 22:01

Systems and Control is my schools alternative to electronics.

Further Maths? Im not sure if i could hack this, Is it much harder than normal A level maths? Well if it helps i try my hardest , and ill probably understand it.

ripped · 21 Jan 2011 at 22:18

500-1 :O is it really that bad.

I think the Young apprentice program extends in to 6th form as well so hopefully that should give me a boost against other applicants. (John, the TDR man, said because we've nearly finished the course we have experience than a Graduate engineer :L)