The recent economic downturn was difficult for many engineers, but it also impacted those yet to enter the workforce. Engineering undergraduate students have found it increasingly tough to find student practicum placements.
Engineers Australia’s Western Australia Division Committee Member, Mark Keenan MIEAust CPEng NER caught up with Jordan Butler StudIEAust, a recently graduated structural engineer and member of the Student Practicum Working Group to discuss the issue.
Mark Keenan (MK): To begin, why did you choose to study engineering?
Jordan Butler (JB): Through school I always knew what I was going to be; a musician. After studying classical guitar I worked as a music teacher, but after a while I wasn’t able to continue learning and innovating. On holiday in Singapore, I saw the Marina Bay Sands. I decided “I am going to do that”. I began studying structural engineering.
I am going to build the next Marina Bay Sands.
(MK): That’s a great story! What has your experience been with engineering education in WA?
(JB): As an academic endeavour it is good, but lecturers generally don’t relay information about industry. That can be a problem for students, who are unaware of what is going on around them. Students generally believe they can just study and walk out into a job; that isn’t reality, but it’s also not communicated to them.
(MK): What do you think causes the disconnect?
(JB): In part, it’s the language we use. Practicum is “12-weeks full-time”, implying that it must be undertaken in one period. Generally, this is in the student’s penultimate year. This leads to students and industry not interacting until at least three years in, because one year later industry can hire them as graduates. I understand the economic argument for this, but I don’t think it creates the most industry aware, well-rounded graduates.
(MK): It doesn’t create a strong pipeline. You’re an active member of Engineers Australia’s Student Practicum Working Group; working to improve the situation, why did you get involved?
(JB): From the beginning of my studies, I understood the difference between a career and a degree. Many of my peers didn’t. A career is not the outcome of a degree; a degree is one part of the journey. Understanding your industry and immersing yourself in it is equally important.
I applied for more than fifty practicum positions. I completed my practicum across three different countries: China, Japan, and Australia. I wanted to do something to make it easier for students to come.
(MK): What can industry do to support undergraduate engineers?
(JB): Industry can move away from using practicum exclusively for vetting graduates. We need a pipeline of well-trained engineers or there will be no industry. Companies need to invest in future engineers.
(MK): How can universities support undergraduate engineers with practicum?
(JB): Understanding and communicating the differences between a career and a degree. They can communicate the importance of a professional network, professional development events, and industry bodies like EA. In a study we undertook, 86% of students were found to secure practicum through networking. This proves the importance of staying connected.
(MK): What are your tips for undergraduates seeking practicum?
(JB):
- Start as early as possible. You will be competing against hundreds of other students with the same qualifications as you. You must develop things that differentiate you. Skills like teamwork and leadership are things you can practice a long time before applications open.
- Build a professional network. It costs you two hours a week to go to an event, but four years for a degree. They are equally as valuable. You can gain advice, mentorship, and new connections.
- Go outside your comfort zone. People want to help you succeed, but you must get out there. Go to an event, join a society; be an active member of the engineering community.
(MK): Good tips! Now that you have graduated, what do you hope to achieve next?
(JB): Build the next Marina bay sands.
Honestly, I am looking for a graduate job where I fit the company and vice versa. I need to keep learning and I need to find an environment to facilitate that. I want to be the best engineer I can be.
To find out how you can help build the next generation of engineers, click here.
Image: Jordan Butler StudIEAust discussing his engineering education experiences with Mark Keenan MIEAust CPEng NER.