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Mentoring and industry experience opening doors
9 November 2018
Getting the most out of your engineering degree at Sydney
Set yourself up for success with these engineering programs, placements and initiatives designed to make you the best candidate for your first job.
Diverse experiences while you’re studying is an important part of an enriching university experience. Graduates who can demonstrate to employers that they are able to multi-task over the course of their degree and have a variety of interests are more desirable.
The Professional Engagement Program (PEP) is a mandatory requirement for all our professional engineering degrees. Students develop their technical engineering and transferrable industry skills throughout their studies so that they understand the nature of professional practice.
However, if you’re one of those eager students looking to learn as much as you can outside of what’s prescribed, the Faculty offers additional extra-curricular initiatives to help you become the well-rounded engineer that employers are looking for.
Jacaranda Flame Consulting (JFC)
The JFC program allows passionate engineering students in their third and fourth years to work as consultants on real-world projects, building on their coursework knowledge while enhancing their professional skills.
It’s a great opportunity for you to network with leading commercial engineering and government organisations and show how you can bring a fresh approach to their business problems.
“JFC provided me with the opportunity to practically use the skills and knowledge that I have acquired during my time at University. It gave me firsthand experience in communicating with clients and other engineers whilst working on a project with real-life benefits.” - Yusuf Etri, Bachelor of Engineering
Engineering Sydney Industry Placement Scheme (ESIPS)
Earn credit points while you work. High-achieving students in the top 25 percent of their final year can undertake a research project as part of ESIPS.
Completed as a 24-week hands-on industry placement, the research you undertake will meet the goals of your industry partner as well as the requirements of your thesis. You’ll investigate and determine methodology; write and develop your thesis and any on-going reports; and prepare a final presentation for your placement company.
Read about previous international industry placements and also more recent local placements addressing big issues.
*ESIPS will be available from 2019, except for civil engineering which commences in 2020.
“ESIPS taught me how to apply my studies in an industrial context and, more so, how to think like an engineer.”
Aya Tafech, Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular)
Engineers Without Borders Humanitarian Design Summit
Each year, current students from a variety of engineering streams participate in this educational study tour run by Engineers Without Borders.
The summit highlights the role that human-centred design and technology can play in providing a positive change within developing communities. For students this experience aims to provide enrichment to your understanding of engineering outside of your usual study focus.
“My goals for this fieldwork trip to Samoa were to develop my worldview and understanding of different cultures while developing my skills as an engineer through a humanitarian context. One of the reasons I enjoyed the Samoan villages so much was because although they cultivate the land, they do not damage it and employ sustainable practices.” - Rayhan Mendis, Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical), travelled to Samoa in 2017 in his third year
Student Leadership Academy (SLA)
The SLA community supports students across disciplines such as engineering, computing, science, business, law, arts and architecture to collaborate on tacking challenges facing society through multidisciplinary initiatives. You’ll focus on developing your leadership skills through workshops, projects and competitions, while you learn from guest speakers from industry.
“I thoroughly enjoyed all the events and talks organised by the Student Leadership Academy. The events helped to equip me with useful skills on how to be a better leader.
I'm so grateful for the opportunities provided by SLA, and at no cost for all University of Sydney students.” - Abdulmajid Binshelayl, Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical)
Women’s Mentoring Program
This was a new initiative launched in 2018 by the former president of the Sydney University Women in Engineering Society (SUWIE) and Biomedical Engineering student, Hannah Mourney, with the goal of helping female engineering students to succeed in their engineering careers.
Over a six-month period, the program connects female students with industry mentors to provide coaching, practical tips and guidance on how to transition from the University lab to the workplace.
“My mentor not only shared practical advice but some of the deeper aspects to her career, such as how to be confident in the workplace, how to balance perfectionism with efficiency, and the importance of remembering the wider impact of your work. As minorities in STEM, it can be easy for women to doubt the validity of their goals and ambitions but seeing other women at the top makes you think, ‘if she can do it, maybe I can do it too!" - Isabella Juria, Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical)
