Engineering Practical Experience

1
Engineering Practical Experience
Careers Centre
www.anu.edu.au/careers

• How to find it
• How to make the most of it

2
Benefits

• Adds value to your degree and demonstrates your
  motivation
• Links the theory to practical experience
• Provides industry knowledge and skills
• Provides information about workplace expectations
  and culture
• Networking and referees
• Can lead to graduate jobs /full-time employment!
• Income

3
For best results.Target

• The most effective form of job search is targeted
  and informed
• Know yourself and your requirements
• Know the employer and their requirements

4
Know yourself

• Identify your interests and needs
• Skills and experience analysis
• Think about what you would like to gain/learn
  from the employment/work experience/vacation work
  eg.
• Broad experience
• Specialist knowledge
• Knowledge of a particular job/industry
• Money

5
Which Organisations? - Something to think about

• Which industry?
• What type of experience?
• Private/Public/not for profit
• Small/Medium/Large Organisation
• Local/Interstate/Overseas

6
Important factors

• Identify 3 key influencing factors
• _____________________________
• _____________________________
• _____________________________

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Research Find Out Who

• Professional and Industry associations
• Graduate employer publications
• Newspapers / online job listings
• http//www.seek.com.au/engineering-jobs/
• Careers Centre CareerHub
• www.anu.edu.au/careers
• Employer websites
• ENGN3100 webpage
• Your networks

8
Your networks

• List 5 people who may know of opportunities/potent
  ial employers
• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• ___________________________

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The Next Step

• Look out for advertised opportunities
• Send a speculative letter/email and resume and
  follow up with a phone call
• Conduct an information interview
• Contact HR department, Recruitment officer,
  Engineering manager

10
How to introduce yourself

• Consider what information you may need to convey
  to a potential employer
• Requirements for your Practical Experience
• Insurance

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Insurance

• If in a paid arrangement you will be covered by
  the employers workers compensation scheme
• The ANU covers students on course related unpaid
  work experience http//info.anu.edu.au/fbs/Busines
  s_Functions/__Insurance_Office/
• Departmental approval is required
• Allow plenty of time
• Contact ANU Insurance Officer for more
  information - 6125 4257

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Be Prepared

• Attend job application and interview skills
  workshops
• Get your Resume up to date and write an attention
  grabbing covering letter
• Target organisations you are interested in and
  research them
• Read industry publications so you are aware of
  current trends and opportunities

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Applications

• Cover letter
• Address it personally
• Specify the type of experience you seek
• Outline your key attributes/skills (they should
  relate to those sought by or valued by the
  employer)
• Express interest in further discussing
  opportunities or attending interview
• Resume
• Tailor it to the position/company/industry
• Highlight relevant experience, skills and
  achievements

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Got the job? Make the most of it

• Discuss and negotiate expectations
• Identify key people
• Show initiative and enthusiasm
• Do more then you have to
• Make the most of networking opportunities
• Make a positive and professional impression

15
Follow up

• Send a thank-you letter and include in it a
  comment about what you have gained from the
  experience
• Ask if you can send your resume when you graduate
• Keep in touch. But dont over do it!

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Useful Resources

• Careers Centre
• CareerHub www.anu.edu.au/careers
• Handouts, books and samples on resumes cover
  letters
• Workshops
• Drop-in sessions (Monday 11am-12.30pm, Wednesday
  2-4pm, Friday 9.30-11.30am)
• Professional associations
• Engineers Australia
• Young Engineers Australia (YEA)
• APESMA

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Good luck with your brilliant careers

• ANU Careers Centre
• JB Chifley Building
• Arts Centre Lane (Opposite the Gods Café)
• Ph 6125 3593
• Email careers_at_anu.edu.au
• Web www.anu.edu.au/careers

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Speakers

• Kimberly Lippmeier
• Development Engineer
• Perpetual Water
• Graduated ANU, December 2007
• Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science
• Majoring in Manufacturing and Management Systems
  Materials and Mechanical Systems
• Science major in chemistry