Engineering placement Review

The role is dependent on the group that you are working within. Most groups involve daily meetings, working within a large team, validation/testing of parts. Sometimes you work solely on 1 project/turbo, other times you are responsible for sections of multiple projects. Typically, you start at 8.30, work on your current project (creating reviews, or validation trials, CAD etc.), join meetings for knowledge share or tec reviews, you also have to be able to present your own tec reviews from early on joining the company - there is lots of help given to newstarters though.

Managers tend to cater your work to developing your weak points, e.g. teaching me Creo. There are a plethora of training courses, I have learnt about engineering drawings, Windchill, testing and more through training. Other skills get taught throughout: management of trials/testing, workplace professionalism, manufacturing methods, presentation skills, and more.

The amount of responsibility given is dependent on the individual, and the group that they are working within. I felt as though i was given a lot of responsibility from the 2nd month onwards, which becomes less daunting overtime - groups are often short of people, so they really ustilise placements and get them doing real work as early as possible.

Each placement is under a manger, the managers are always capable and willing to help, even when they have a high work load. There are also people in the team that aren't directly above you, but are always happy to help. The support is definitely good, however, people are stretched for time so they do encourage working it out for yourself before asking someone.

Company culture is good, people tend to be really friendly. The social aspect I have found to be limited, although I've heard that in previous years its was really good, so it might be dependent on the annual cohort of placements/graduates. There's also not a huge mix between technicians, manufacturing staff, IT, HR, engineers etc as the groups are in different buildings. There is also a slight 'lads' culture, seeing as majority of employees are men. I found that there was some stigma of a lot of employees not opening up to women for a while.

I've enjoyed working for Cummins, and would definitely recommend it as an employer. Huddersfield as a location isn't great, but its close to Leeds/Manchester. It can be stressful at times, but I do believe that it will help with studies at university - It gives you context behind everything you've learnt.

Yes

- Don't be afraid to ask for help, it's ok to not understand something, people would rather explain something multiple times at the start than to have you not understand half way through a project. - Get involved in non turbo projects, I.e. inclusivity groups like WEN, it's a great way to meet people and hopefully make a change. - Talk to everyone, don't rely on other placements for all your socialising.