Sunday, December 3, 2023
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • News
  • Authors
No Result
View All Result
National Headlines
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Politics
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Politics
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
No Result
View All Result
National Headlines
No Result
View All Result
Home Education

Inspiring the Next Engineers: Building Beneath the Waves

by Catherine Pearson
12/10/2020
3 min read
Inspiring the Next Engineers: Building Beneath the Waves
0
SHARES
93
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

One of the most difficult questions we are ever asked is what career we would like to pursue. Where do we see ourselves in five years’ time? For those of us who do have an answer, there are a whole spectrum of routes available to us. For example, you may dream of becoming an engineer, but in what speciality?

There may even be routes you hadn’t thought of before. So, whether you have your mind set on becoming an engineer and want to know what options are available, or you are about to make some key academic decisions for your future employment, we’re here to help. Here, we’ve teamed up with SMD, the world’s largest independent designer and manufacturer of work class and specialist subsea remotely operated vehicles. We caught up with some of their engineers to find out how they built their careers, and what advice they would give those who are just setting out.

Graduating into a career

Austin Phillips is a graduate mechanical engineer at SMD. He notes that the graduate path is a great place to start as an engineer, as you get a feel for various areas of the business, from customer interaction to design. For example, while Austin is currently working in the services department on an upgrade job, he recently worked on a repair job for a part that broke down in the field. He was tasked with redesigning the part to strengthen it up.

So, how did Austin achieve this, and what advice would he give to people looking to set a good foundation for a career upon graduating?

“I personally didn’t know too much about the industry when I graduated,” Austin admits. “I had a few jobs after graduating before I came to SMD. So, for anyone looking at getting into subsea engineering, I’d definitely recommend reading up on it as much as you can to get an idea of the products and clients in this sector.”

It’s certainly been worth the work too, as Austin describes the sense of achievement and pride he gets when seeing something he designs “come to life” on the shop floor.

Motivation for a future as a principal engineer

For those that decide to get into engineering as a career, like Austin has, what’s waiting at the top?

As a principal engineer at SMD, Richard Purdy is required to manage a team of draftsmen and engineers to make sure their workloads are balanced correctly. He also deals with any issues around people management during any given project, as well as checking and approving engineering designs and drawings. Richard also deals with technical reviews throughout the day — so it’s certainly a lot of responsibility.

Plus, Richard also helps new starters and graduates find their feet as engineers and push them on to the next level of their careers. With so much going on in his role, we asked Richard what the most exciting part of working on subsea components and devices is.

“The best part for me is having the ability to take something from a blank piece of paper and see it through to the end, putting it on the back of a ship and then down to work underwater,” Richard explains. “There are not very many jobs still out there that you can do that in terms of the timescales, to see it from the very start at concept to actually seeing it working. A lot of engineering roles you just see the design, you don’t get to see the manufacturing of it. So, for me, that’s the best bit.”

And what about advice for aspiring engineers, especially those looking at a career in subsea components?

“I actually studied agricultural engineering,” Richard continues. “So, I got an interview based around my background in agricultural engineering. Engineering is engineering. It’s the application that changes, the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering stay the same whether it’s subsea vehicles or combine harvesters!”

Aspiring engineers take note — whatever your current field of study within engineering, there is certainly a unique scope to diversify into other sectors within the field of engineering! If you like the idea of not only designing parts and components, but seeing them be built, tested, and put to work in real-time, subsea engineering could be the hidden gem of a career path that you’ve been looking for.

ShareTweetShareShare

Related Posts

Fahim Imam-Sadeque Outlines How to Help Your Children Build Confidence
Education

Fahim Imam-Sadeque Outlines How to Help Your Children Build Confidence

15/03/2022
What tasks are CEO’s assigning to virtual assistants?
Business

What tasks are CEO’s assigning to virtual assistants?

21/12/2021
This company knows how to retain employees
Employment

This company knows how to retain employees

02/09/2021
Everything That You Must Know To Clear the UK Citizenship Test
Education

Everything That You Must Know To Clear the UK Citizenship Test

13/05/2021
Here’s How You Can Help Your Children Get The Most Out Of Their Education
Education

Here’s How You Can Help Your Children Get The Most Out Of Their Education

22/02/2021
5 Benefits of Studying MBBS in Wuhan University School of Medicine
Education

5 Benefits of Studying MBBS in Wuhan University School of Medicine

08/01/2021
No Result
View All Result

Looking for writing opportunities

Get in touch to find out more.

Start Writing

Topics

  • Automotive
  • Business
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Legal
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Property
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Travel

Latest News

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Managing Waste in the Film Industry

Managing Waste in the Film Industry

12/10/2020
Perils of Efficiency: Procuring Supplies During a Crisis

Perils of Efficiency: Procuring Supplies During a Crisis

04/10/2021
Loadhog Estimates 108 Million Metres of Stretch Wrap Eliminated Through Use of Pallet Lid

Loadhog Estimates 108 Million Metres of Stretch Wrap Eliminated Through Use of Pallet Lid

12/10/2020
Andrea Orcel’s plans for UniCredit receive praise from investors

Andrea Orcel’s plans for UniCredit receive praise from investors

28/04/2022
7 Tips for talking to strangers

7 Tips for talking to strangers

17/08/2020
Warplanes

Initial Overseas Deployment By UK’s Newest Warplanes

Brexit bill

The Brexit bill is receiving a negative response from the Labour

6 Small Business Ideas for Those Who Love Hands-On Work

6 Small Business Ideas for Those Who Love Hands-On Work

Show Plates: Common Questions Answered

Show Plates: Common Questions Answered

A closer look at recruitment in the catering industry

A closer look at recruitment in the catering industry

Stamp Duty: All Your Questions Answered

Workplace Drug Testing Saves Organizations Money, Time, and Reputation

22/11/2023
webinar

Webinar as a tool for personal branding: tips and strategies

17/11/2023
Palliative care

Palliative Care Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

16/11/2023
Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE): PropTech Today

Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE): PropTech Today

13/11/2023
Why Does Competitor Analysis Matter for Online Businesses

Why Does Competitor Analysis Matter for Online Businesses

13/11/2023

National Headlines

Recent News

  • Workplace Drug Testing Saves Organizations Money, Time, and Reputation
  • Webinar as a tool for personal branding: tips and strategies
  • Palliative Care Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families
  • Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE): PropTech Today

Topics

  • Automotive
  • Business
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Legal
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Property
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Travel

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

*We hate spam as you do.

© National Headlines

  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Sitemap
  • Authors
No Result
View All Result
  • Home

© 2019 National Headlines.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT