I need to make a decision and i thought i would gauge opinion on here...

Basically I am a carpenter and plasterer with 5 years under my belt, and im finding it really hard to get work. I know my work is good, never had complaints, used to get loads of work from word of mouth, get called back for more work etc, but I've not worked for almost 2 months now (done a day here and there but naff all otherwise) and its really getting me down, other than financially of course, feel well depressed, cant sleep etc.
I have tried finding work, but there is nothing around, its very slow. Got loads of business cards, ads in shop windows, phoned all the builders in the phone book but there's nothing coming from any of it.

So I got to thinking why not go to uni? I did AVCE Engineering at college (and ended up a builder somehow ) and i'm always thinking 'what if' etc. so I went looking at courses and found three I like the sound of:

Civil Engineering (related to what i know best)
Aeronautical Engineering (rocket science , but I've always been into planes!!!)
Automotive Engineering (cos i've always been into cars, but I would have to move away)

I'm erring towards the Civil/Automotive ones, and I'm going to speak to both departments in depth about it, where it would take me jobs wise, what I can expect, what they expect etc.

I've been up all night (again) having a think, and researching courses and professions, and frankly I think I would LOVE it, I really want a challenge and the uni thing would definately put me into some challenges, even after I graduate. Plus, as a bonus, I'd be a mature student, so i get grants, and if i get a couple of days here and there, i'll be up on 120 a day again, so no shelf stacking in morrisons

So any thoughts/advice would be greatly recieved, have you done the same thing? Do you know anyone who has?



Steve..

 

It's a brave move if you do, but I can't help thinking it's not a guaranteed way into a 'better' job. You may find that you end up with a good qualification, but that no one will touch you because you've got no experience.

I may be completely wrong, and it could be the path into your dream job, but generally after graduating you start off at the very bottom of the career ladder and earn peanuts.

Are there no other avenues you could explore in your current role? Such as looking further afield, advertising your services more, flyers, leaving business cards in supermarkets etc... Or even lowering your prices so that your services become more attractive.

 

DO it mate! ~I was in same situation went to uni at 23! Best move i have ever done, gave me the best time of life and enabled me to do things i could have only dreamed of before. Now im in a job paying double what i was before i went into uni.

Best time of my life, just gutted its all over

 

Im currently a civil engineer and times are pritty slow for us also, but when i started i found a company that would allow me to do industry recognised qualifications which they paid for and they also paid me to work at the same time so your earning a living and gaining more qualifications. Maybe that might be an option, Just my five pence worth!

Chris

 

Dan: I could probably do more advertising wise yeah, i keep plugging away. Plus i know what you mean about the experience thing. If i did the civil enginering at least i've got some experience of building, possibly wouldn't count though?

Rhys: cheers for the support fella

cpaul4: What sort of day-to-day work do you do, and in what field? Any info would be

One of my motivations was that this slowdown in the economy will pass, work will pick up, so if i can spend the next 3-5years getting an M-Eng, rather than struggling, it might be a good time to bite the bullett. At least i'll have a degree and no debts

Steve..

 

Mate go get a degree just do a sandwhich degree which is four years and in your 3rd year of uni you go out into industry and gain experience and do this you will be sorted my mates dad went back to unit at 38 know 46 has just got a phd and is working for Fiza (medicine company) earnig nearly 50k before he was earning sweet f all

 

Studying Autoeng at the moment. I do not know anybody who left this summer that put some effort in who has not got an Autoeng job know.

Loads of jobs, certainly in emissions and CAD.

 

Good news!! Can you shed any more light on the course? I've looked at the overview but its just a list of units, doesnt have much detail?

Where could it take you in the car world?

Turbo_boost: Yeah i'd do a sandwich course, its what my brother did, earned him a sweet job out of it when finished too

Cheers for the responses guys, keep any more input coming!

 

At Swansea Met at the moment,

The course covers alot but, always changes focusing on where the jobs are!

The course basically covers suspension design from basics to a level where you should be fairly confident.

Computer stuff is mainly CAD (design) ,FEA (testing for stresses and fatigue) and CFD (design/analysis of manifolds etc)

Alot of time is spent on engine management starting with basics again K Jetronic etc to on board diagnostics.

There is a big focus on engine design and calibration (mapping) for emissions and engine simulation.

Also lots more, I could spend the rest of the day listing bits lol but feel free to ask any questions.

I have had friends start straight from uni into the good companies, Ford, Prodrive, Mahle, Cosworth but you will have to work to get into them it is not a media course

I really enjoy it though thats the main thing.

 

That sounds too good to be true!! Cheers for the info, i'll be asking more questions im sure

Do you do any practical work at all? Like fab work? No probs if not, i wanna learn how to weld properly anyway, would be awesome to design something then actually build it!! But as part of a uni course would be tops!!

 

Just found a bit more info: this uni is GOLD!!!!! And 10 mins away

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/ug.../aue/index.htm

 

best of luck mate,hope it works out for you.

 

Not taught any fabrication as such but some manual machining and CNC some CNC machining also.

There is a collage down the road where the uni can set you up on a welding course.

PRactical work is more for engine management rigs and the odd test at the local race track.

 

was just wondering about practical cos i was thinking of building a car as i learn, ie designing and making my own suspension etc and see how it works, plus i think it would be a good 'CV' car to take along to interviews etc.
I'm thinking YB powered Fiat Bravo with WRC style rear end. Good times.
Cheers for all the info and support and suggestions guys, really helped, thanks

Steve..

 

Im in the same position m8, been a plasterer for 12 years and the trade has slowed right up, theres just no money around atm..

So im going back to Uni, i start on the 8th of Sept, 3 year degree in ICT.

 

Steve,

Most of the main Automotive engineering universitities build Formula student cars, which is an extra thing you do in the evenings and weekends where you design and build a single seater from scratch and then race it at Silverstone. Thats where you can really learn.

 

cheers bud!!

rs nut john: I think we're onto something here.... good luck with it mate

Richard: Just found that on l'boro's site, looks like SUCH a cool course!!! i'm ringing up first thing tuesday!!

Steve..

 

Do it mate, only thing is be quick as wont be long and the courses will be full! If you hang around you will have to wait another year. But on that note dont rush into anything think long and hard.

how old are you atm mate? Do you have any big expenses that your committed to etc like mortagage etc?

 

I've been thinking about it for a while so i'm pretty sure, but i know what you mean mate, fools rush in ay

I'm 25 now, got no major expenses, no kids or owt so pretty free to do as i please

 

Cant be ass'd to read the replies- sorry.... BUT

I DID THIS!!!!!!!

You're in a very lucky position- I know you said you cant get much work at the moment but that means plenty of time to go to uni and you have a skill that you can do as "foreigners" to keep you afloat- when people want it done- weekends, evenings, odd days.... all the times when its your full time job you can't be ass'd to do.

You'll prob be able to drop your prices a bit and do more favours as the idea isn't to make loads of money for the future as the uni course is your future- I used to turn some work down as I only needed to do enough to survive as the uni work was most important.

2 Years ago I ditched my full time job and went to uni- as a 25+ year old the gov't throws money at you- I then did my full time job part time.. workings weekends and 2 days in the week to keep afloat.

Did the first year full time and then got a job as a QS (Quantity Surveyor) and now I'm part time at Uni and back in a better position than I was 2 years ago.

In my opinion you need to pay particular attention to a few things- and again this is from direct experience.

1 How you are acedemically- if you're great with your hands but not so when it comes to written work and research Uni is not neccesarily good for you.
2 How easy it is to get a job as a trainee/assistant in your chosen field and also whether people take on Uni day release students- are there jobs locally.
3 How prepared you are to cut back- when I started uni I had a 20k pa job, company car and a better than average 450bhp Saph- after 1 month in I had 1500 quids worth of 306 XSI and a part time job.

In terms of your course you need to bare in mind something that will be a career, prehaps for life- or something that will at least open up plenty of other doors- Civils and Aero Engineering are good ideas. Stay away from anything housebuilding construction wise- if you can find elec or mech (building services) engineering courses I'd go for that.. good engineers are hard to find and you'd probably find a day release job.

Also- forget UCAS and Clearing- just ring the uni that has the course you want and go along for an interview as a mature student- not suited and booted but to make sure you are mature.

As a foot note you want to do a BSc (Hons) or equivelant- dont let them talk you into doing a foundation year!!!!!!! Costs you more money for no actual gain.

The problem you have at the mo in general is the economic climate- people are cutting back on what they're taking on - instead of building for the future people are just taking on what they need now.

Hope this all helps.

 

everythings going to be slowing down for all jobs but the more fingers you have in different pies gives you a better chance of finding some sort of decent work.

 

1: I'm good with my hands, but I like the academic side to things. For instance when i was at college we had to design an automaed vehicle that could sense where it was and respond to obstacles and move round them etc, then build it, Loved both parts, really enjoyed seeing my drawings come to life

2: Gonna be researching the market for jobs on tuesday, speaking to the uni about possible placements, and ring round every possible place i can think of to gauge how I can fit in, where I would start and where I could end up. Do a load of case studies etc.

3: Cutting back is hard, but I've done it before when I've been out of work etc. Had 22k job and 350bhp saff at 21, have been down, then up, then down since. Got me a little runabout civic, cheap room at mates house and got rid of the luxuries.

Thanks again everyone, and shings, top advice there fella, got me a nice little structure to work through next week, very grateful!!!

Steve..

 

Once I have finished college I will be going to university. If I was you I would. You're still only young with your life ahead of you.

Benni.

 

yep, college and uni saves you from having to get a job in the real world although people that end up with degrees in pointless subjects usually end up being the best qualified shelf stacker in town.

 

I want to do graphics design so I should be OK. I wish you the best of look Steve.

Benni.

 

i was thinking about a couple of mates. 1 has a degree in music production and works in a bridge crossing toll booth and another has a degree in some sort of sociology type shit and works as a labourer on a building site.
seems like a waste of a few years to me.
my mates laughed at me when i started on a government training scheme in the 80's (YTS) to become a joiner. Ł27.50 a week wages back then but look at me now. sometimes if i work really hard i can make over a hundred quid a week.

 

Cheers mate!

Couple of my mates are Graphic designers, I've done a few drawings and photos with em and stuff, really admire their skill!

www.vivideyegraphics.co.uk

EDIT: Thats my eye in their logo

 

go for it mate

 

Yeah I see where you're coming from there, I'm gonna do as much research as I can first.
I'm of the opinion that automotive engineering is a very broad subject, and there *should* always be something to do. I'm fortunate that I have other skills i can fall back on *if needed* should I have trouble finding work.

 

Difficult decision.

I would personally say go for it, if your not getting the work else where you'd be best to be making better use of your time by improving your qualifications. I don't know what uni you are planning to apply to but be aware that some uni civil engineering courses will be a world away from others.

Up here in Glasgow Uni thier Civil Eng Dept is one of the best in the world, less than a mile away Caledonian offer the same course but at a much reduced quality. This is important to bear in mind as future employers will judge you on not only what degree you have, but also where you achieved it.

The civil eng industry is in a bit of a downward spiral at the moment (my mate with 5-8 years experience has been out of work for 2 months) but in the 4-5 years it takes to complete your degree the industry may well have changed again - remember the recession will be recovering in that time, meaning lots of work.

I'd recommend you aim for a Masters of Engineering as this will set you head and shoulders above the competition, just be aware that ALL your course choices above are VERY maths intensive.

All the best.

 

Thanks EVERYONE for the response, been a good help

UPDATE: Have signed up for the open day and spoken to the Uni, they were ultra helpful and seemed VERY positive about it, great uni

Also, just got calls returned from Prodrive, Cosworth and spoke to Ford UK, they were all dead helpful, told me where I could specialise, possibly do a gap year placement etc,

I'm over the bloody moon guys!!!!

Wish me luck!!!

 

Largely echoing what AGAR - Cosworth has already stated but back in '92 when I was looking to do my degree in Civil Engineering I found that there was a massive difference in the quality of the engineering departments and found that Bradford Uni was the best out of the lot for Civil Engineering. Anyway to cut this story short, Bradford offered the 4yr MEng course which would be funded as per Bachelor degree. Have a look at http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2009 as mentioned before the top companies will not look at your CV if you have studied at a crap uni.

Also, its worth noting that Engineering is largely economy dependant.

I'm also in a similar position about thinking about leaving my current profession and going to uni to study but have chosen Dentistry instead.

 

You'll be good Steve, the only way is up now mate.

Benni.

 

I'm looking at loughborough uni, and its well respected, Prodrive and Cosworth said they would be happy to accept graduates from there so the quality is fine, as I'm not moving and loughborough is just up the road

I know what you mean about engineering being economy dependant, so is building, so i'm hoping the economy will have picked up by the time i graduate - one of the motivations for this.
Thanks for the comments

 

Cheers matey

Steve

 

Sounds good - go for it

 

I do, anything from technical drawings in plan or elevation form, setting out, gps work, mapping, internal surveys then just other construction related stuff. hope this helps if you need more info let me know.

Chris

 

I want to do the same. Simply because I don't enjoy my job. I'm a mechanic, the pay is good (because i do hgv's), the hours are good and there is plenty of work but the motor trade sucks!
I always loved motors so persued an apprenticship after i left school. Not because i was thick, got decent grades an all.
I want to make a career change too but just don't know what i'd enjoy doing.
My advice would be to find out exactly how your new career would be on a day-to-day bassis. Coz its half the battle if you enjoy it.
May sound simple but but hey.

 

Yeah I've been on the phone to prodrive and cosworth most of the afternoon asking the very same, prodrive were awesome help!! Got a call back off a guy he just said: what you wanna know? Really happy with what i've heard from them, job descriptions etc.

Thanks again all for replying