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.

Carry out detailed design and calculations, create technical drawings using AutoCAD and in-house parametric software, interpret Architect's, Engineer's & steelwork drawings to ensure feasible site solutions, liaise with other designers, site workers and commercial buyers

Carry out calculations and design/ draw up new projects, amend existing drawings based on comments received, respond to queries from customers, resolve issues with products in the factory or on site, prepare designs to be placed into manufacture

I get to work on a variety of projects - from house extensions worth a couple hundreds of pounds to the company to large (£400k+) residential and commercial building jobs. I carry out a lot of technical drawing and am also able to go on the shop floor and learn manufacturing techniques.

Products are often required on site urgently so we have to work to tight deadlines. Small mistakes at the drawing stage can lead to very costly errors during manufacturing so there is pressure to ensure items placed into manufacture are correct.

It gives me the chance to not only design and draw up products but also to see them go through the manufacturing process. The smaller scale of the products (as opposed to large civil projects such as highways, bridges, water networks etc.) appealed to me; being able to see the products get made makes it feel much more realistic.

Technical drawing (mainly AutoCAD and 3D software), structural design and calculations, mathematics (e.g. trigonometry, geometry etc.), communicating with my team and our customers

Graduate civil engineer with Atkins in Birmingham for 1 year working on multi-disciplinary projects. Mainly worked on highways and water drainage systems - preliminary and detailed design. Enjoyed parts of the job but found it to be too corporate and too wide ranging to get a detailed understanding of projects.

Would like to get involved in some more technical design and also product development, improving the products that we make and how we make them.

Don't be afraid to try different jobs/ areas of engineering as there is such a wide variety of positions available to you with an engineering degree.