Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Managing projects, developing design specifications for projects, programming, testing, commissioning, reverse engineering where there is lack of design specification, site visits with sales for potential projects.

Every day is different. Having worked on over 20 different projects in a year across different industries - it is a matter of expect the unexpected. One needs to be good in managing their time and workload. Considering the nature of work - commissioning activities can involve some really long days including weekends!

The variety of projects / industries I get to work in - Foods & Beverages / Manufacturing & Packaging / Pharmaceutical / Steel / Power Generation & Distribution / Oil & Gas.

All automated systems break down to 0 & 1 and 4-20mA signals.

Technically challenging projects.
Tight deadlines on projects.
Reducing cost without affecting quality of work.

I worked as an Automation Engineer before my masters degree. My undergraduate degree was in Electronics & Communications. I just happened to find a job as an automation engineer after my undergraduate degree and have really enjoyed it since. I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for options / industries to work after graduating.

Programming skills
Communication skills
Management skills

As with any new system there is always in house training provided. For systems where in house training capability isn't available, I'm sent on courses.

TÜV Rhineland - Functional Safety Engineer
TÜV NORD - CMSE® - Certified Machinery Safety Expert
PRINCE2 Foundation
Emergency First Aider
OPITO Approved BOSIET with HUET & EBS (Offshore survival training)

Go freelance as a contractor in a few years. Still haven't got CENG status due to busy schedule. I have reviewed it recently and it is a matter of finding time and submitting it.

M_o_R Foundation & Practitioner - Self study

Internal Auditor Training

CompEx 12 - Designer training

On the look out for a good Root Cause analysis course.

I had a job offer 4 months before finishing my course and another 3 while I was at Tata Steel on contract work. The reason why I was so successful in my applications after my masters degree was due to the fact that I had work experience beforehand.

This might not be the same for undergraduates / postgraduates / PhD students without work experience outside the university environment. One must be willing to relocate anywhere for work - nationally or internationally. Make the most of where you are valued the most.

If you are looking of work similar to what I do, the bigger employers are the ones that will be listed in career brochures and all. If you want to find all the systems integrators in UK / worldwide - go to Siemens / Rockwell / Schneider Electric / ABB / GE / etc and find out their Local Solution Provider and then inquire with them accordingly.

Be prepared for finding your first job to be a struggle.