DS struggling to get an engineering job

[Enginer]

DS graduated in engineering with a 2.2 from Oxford. He didn’t apply to jobs while a student as the course was too intense.

He’s now really struggling to get anywhere with jobs. He’s applied to a few graduate schemes but got nowhere. He’s got as far as second interview with a speculative application but that’s it.

He is getting increasingly low about it and I’m worried about him. His mental health isn’t great anyway due to previous issues and he’s quite isolated as many of his friends have moved away.

Has anyone got any tips to pass on? Any good recruitment agencies to try? Is he stuffed because of his 2.2? He would like to live at home for the moment (London area) so maybe that is also part of the problem as many jobs are elsewhere.

To answer possible questions in advance, his CV looks quite good I think. He’s got some good internships on there and he has done things outside of formal study that are relevant to engineering (personal coding projects etc).

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He could use AI to research and then edit what turns up.

I think when it comes to engineering it pays to be brand blind when applying, and look for a school of engineering with a great reputation in the discipline you want to pursue. Links to industry and a year in industry are also excellent.

Check out Babcock

I work at an engineering firm. The competition to get in on the grand scheme is intense. However, I think your sons problem is that grad recruitment starts almost a year out so he should have applied last year. So, we have just started screening grads to start in September 2026, who are in their final year. If he can get a job to tide him over, then start applying for grad schemes starting next September.

Please don't be put off applying for BAE, their various apprentice schemes are great. My daughter didn't finish her teaching degree and was taken on as part of their project management degree apprentice scheme, there is the graduate route and various other options. Subs are expanding their numbers hugely to meet demand.
However intakes are usually around September time

He has an MEng.

Glad your DS is being agile and implementing some of the excellent advice you’re had so far.

And I agree with the joke which in turn reminds me of my DM who says so often “what you should have done is…” which so far, has never been helpful. She says it so frequently that my DF often used to say that he was going to have it on her tombstone.

Apply to small local firms - to get some experience that’s likely to be much wider .

@Enginer He did so well being accepted into Oxford. Not an easy feat. I’m sure once he’s given his first opportunity for a job he’ll fly!

Good luck and please keep us updated on how it goes?

You may have said but how much is he using chatgpt or similar to help his research? Obviously he shouldn’t just use it to generate applications but it can do some of the research( fact checked of course) and draft answers etc for him to edit?
Has he got a good linked in profile- has he got badges etc for courses on it? Does it clearly show his skills and experience?

@thesandwich yes he’s adept with ChatGPT and makes good use of it.

Has he actually researched all the small engineering shops/smaller enterprises within a specific area and knocked on their doors? One of his issues is lack of experience and he should consider a shop floor start to give him hands on experience.
He can then take this forward when he does secure a grad.scheme or other opportunity.

wot about Martin Baker? They often want engineers . Based in Denham

@sashagabadon great suggestion. And more enticing than the Lethality engineer post that DS saw at the careers fair! Unfortunately they want a 2.1. They also offer a degree apprenticeship however so that's worth considering.

@allmycats he hasn't done that yet. He's working his way through lots of different things. Applying for jobs further afield, sprucing up his skills, chasing up his temporary job, contacting volunteering jobs etc etc. But he will get to it.

@CurlyhairedAssassin is correct. He wouldn’t get App funding because he already has an equivalent level qualification in the same field.

@phantomofthepopera thanks for the clarification. Rock/hard place.

Fair enough I stand corrected and must have misunderstood the entry requirements.
Just rule that out OP.

Apologies if this has already come up, but is he a member of the relevant Engineering Professional organisation? Engineering Council?

I used to work in Computing, joined the BCS, and they ran local and special interest groups, with regular meetings and conferences. Great networking opportunities plus a good way to learn more about a wide range of practices/projects/firms. Presumably engineers do something similar.

That is what Chat GPT is for these day. He can de Chat GPT it himself as he puts together the application. With a broad sweep he needs to speed things up. Good enough is good enough.

@Plugsocketrocket agreed, but well researched, personal and reflective answers take time. He’s definitely streamlining the process and reusing material where possible.

Try NDA graduate scheme - a 2.2 is fine for them. Recruitment closes soon though.

Wishing your DS some luck @Enginer. Let us know how he gets on

Tfl are recruiting grads Full list of our graduate roles - Transport for London https://share.google/0m1FSgMyn2w5uOeTC