Electrical Engineer Review

Very enjoyable year. Learnt an incredible amount about automotive engineering (electrical systems) and the placement has really given me a good insight into how a high quality business functions. As an electrical engineer I have not only had to work on many techical issues but also had a fair deal of interaction with the commercial side of the business working with finance, purchasing and external suppliers. In all, a very valuable experience.

After the initial first few months learning company processes and learning how the company works I was placed in a high responsibility role. My colleagues depended on my work on a daily basis and I felt very valued.

Never a time where you can't turn to your manager for support. There are numerous training programmes you can sign up for and from my experience, everyone in the Audio team was always happy to help/clarify any point I was unsure of.

On some days you'll have to work overtime due to the sheer amount of work, depends on 'build milestones' for different vehicle lines.. i.e. During Range Rover Evoque launch there was A LOT of work!

After 2 months of learning company processes and becoming more competent in my role I was handed the responsibility of 'component ownership', the same responsibility that a full time engineer takes on.

My placement hasn't required very much use of the skills I learnt during my first years at university, however the skills and experience I have picked up working in a large international business are priceless!

Generally a nice environment to work in. A mixture of office work and hands on engineering work (be it inside a workshop or on a car in a car park). Work requires you to travel on many occasions which is always nice [any company travel is done in comapny vehicles! :D]

Very well structured. There are numerous training courses set up especially for new starters to the company. Human Resources were very helpful before I started the placement. A private facebook group is set up for all new undergrads so they can ask any questions and organise any living arrangements with other students.

I feel like the company has reallty invested in my future at JLR, I am currently hoping to return next year on a further 3month summer placement and then return after my final year at uni to the graduate scheme.

In the next 5 years Jaguar Land Rover are introducing 40 new products to market: this includes completely new vehicles, facelifts to vehicles and new features.

There are close to 200 graduates joining this year, and close to 100 undergraduates (majority will be summer placements). Socially, it's very good. If you come to work in Product Development (PD) and are based at either Whitley (Coventry site) or Gaydon I would advise living in Leamington Spa as nearly all grads live here!

Coventry is very cheap for a night out however not necessarily too great. Leamington is a very nice town however slightly more expensive (as you'd expect). A pint of lager in a popular Leamington pub is £2.80

As mentioned above. Coventry is always busy on a Fri/Sat night however it can be quite 'rough'. Leamington is the place to be! Much nicer place both visually and socially. Buzzing with JLR grads and undergrads on the weekend.

There are many employee organised clubs and activites that are advertised.