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By Ahmad (Asset Engineer with Network Rail, Electronics Engineering graduate)
I’m Ahmad, an Asset Engineer with Network Rail. I love my job and it’s all thanks to my year in industry.
Growing up, I dreamt of becoming an engineer, studying and working in the UK. Getting accepted to the Engineering Foundation Year – and then the Electronics Engineering degree – at Northumbria University was the first step. But my work placement was where my dream came to life.
I heard about work placements in my first year from Graduate Futures - the University Careers Service. They gave a talk about work experience opportunities but I didn’t think much about it then.
In my second year, I started thinking more seriously about life after uni. I took part in the Ignite programme - which is designed to help students develop their confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills - and I got one-to-one help with my CV.
Honestly, if I was an employer getting my original CV, I wouldn’t have hired me! But after the advisor’s help, it was impressive. This was important because I wanted a part-time job – and I was beginning to think about applying for a work placement too.
It seemed like a win-win. Get hands-on work experience, boost my job prospects, and get paid for a year. Why not? Little did I know that would be my best decision at university…
I found my work placement through a website that the engineering department recommended. I applied for everything, and every morning, I opened my inbox and saw emails starting ‘Unfortunately you haven’t been successful.’ It was sometimes tough to stay hopeful, but you only need one opportunity, and for me that came from Network Rail, which changed the game completely.
Firstly, I got a year of amazing opportunities and experiences, which included working on the railway site and in the office where I completed multiple projects, I attended meetings and gave presentations. Everything I could try, I did, and I made it my goal to make a good impression everywhere I went.
At the end of my placement, I was asked if I’d like a place on their graduate scheme after university, even then, I knew it was an amazing opportunity and I jumped at the chance.
Now I tell everyone ‘Do a work placement, apply for a year in industry, what have you got to lose? You’ll learn so much and get paid in the process. It’s a win-win.’
Before my placement, the only thing I knew about trains was how to catch one. I’d studied the theory at university but never had any real-world experience. Suddenly, I was working on faults, troubleshooting broken level crossings, and everything began to make so much sense.
What I’ve learned through my placement is that getting good grades alone doesn’t make you a good engineer. Doing the work and applying theory in the real world matters to employers too, and I’m so glad I had that opportunity. It wasn’t just that the practical experience boosted my career, it was the fact I had the opportunity to try lots of different areas and see what I enjoyed.
When I went back to university after my placement, I had extra incentive to work hard. Network Rail needed me to pass my degree with a 2:1, but I graduated with a first. I don’t know if it was the incentive of a job at the end of my studies, or my new-found practical understanding of engineering that helped me achieve that, but I was so happy I did.
After my graduate job, I applied for another role with Network Rail and got it, and it all started with a yes.
It opened doors for me and can for you too.
If you’re considering a work placement, go for it. You might get some rejections along the way but try not to take it personally. You only need one chance to prove yourself, and you won’t get that if you don’t apply.
Northumbria University provides real-world experience through Experiential Learning – which means ‘learning by doing’. Depending on your degree, you could learn through simulations, fieldwork, research, creative practice, live projects, and more.
Discover more on the Experiential Learning Hub.
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