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).

Engineering and require 2.2 and london based

Candidates must already hold or be on track to achieve a minimum of 2:2 BEng/BSc or MEng/MSc in electrical, electronic, systems or mechatronic engineering or a closely related subject accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Candidates with IET accredited pure Mechanical Engineering degrees will only be considered for the Systems Engineering stream (see below).

Thank you @cestlavielife — that one is on the radar! 🤞🏻

My brother got a 2:2 in engineering. He got a foot into telecoms by temping. Dd got a temping job in reception for a large construction company - she got to know everyone from the CEO to the team in the mailroom. They loved her, wanted her to leave Uni to join them (no chance of that). These were not “good” recruitment agencies - they were just local agencies, being asked to supply quick stand ins. There are opportunities - you never know where things will lead, you need to make a connection with recruiters, they need to believe in you, they are there to make money after all. So he needs to believe charming.
Has he been in contact with the careers dept at Oxford, in my experience uni careers depts are very good, they can review his cv and help him with interview skills, as well as having access to interesting opportunities.

your post reminded me of my experience working at a large publishing company in London.

part of my job was helping HR send out rejection letters to every CV we received. i can’t tell you the amount of them i sent to Oxford/Cambridge English graduates that wanted an Editorial Assistant job.

Guess who got those jobs? The admin temps that had been working at the publishing company for a few months, all hired through the run of the mill local employment agency on the high street.

Young people need to understand how important it is to just get a foot in the door, in the long run, doing a more ‘menial’ job for a year or so could be just what you need to start achieving your dream one.

I think even getting a foot in the door these days is difficult. Employers want experience, but won't give many opportunities to get experience. And often those with degrees especially from somewhere like Oxford, will get passed over for a starting role as employers think they won't stay there long.

@JacknDiane yes exactly.

No point in them trying then - that'll definitely prove your point.

I think @JacknDiane was being sympathetic rather than dismissive, @saxyfone . That’s how I took it anyway.

DS still plugging away. He’s sharing some of his answers to application forms with me and I’d give him a job 😜

Hello OP, how is your son getting on? My son is still plugging away. The market is very tough.

Kind of you to ask @anotherglass. He hasn’t yet got a job but he has started as a volunteer in a relevant local role which is very positive. He’s done stacks more applications. Several things are still live but he’s had to cope with a lot more rejections. A very experienced friend has given him some help with his CV and some interview practice so he’s very well prepared. It seems like he’s been at it forever but actually it’s only a few months! The biggest battle is staying positive.

Same with my son. Has got a volunteering role which is good for structure and also busy with tutoring. The rejections are trickling in though which is bruising. I am trying to be relentless with my optimism. You just have to keep trying new things. Am also encouraging him to write up a 3 month action plan as the current approach isn't yielding results. This invovles much more networking, calling recruiters and cold call emails to local engineering companies. It's so tough and I do worry, though.

(apologies in case it's already been suggested) Tell him to look at Level 7 apprenticeships at Master's degree level. They would allow him to move to other Stem fields like Data science if he wished
((I've just seen funding is going to be scrapped for level 7, but he should still consider other apprenticeships))

lack of experience will be a big factor A he needs to approach local firms and start from the bottom

The Ministry of Defence is currently recruiting 10 degree apprentices for the Submarine Delivery Agency in Bristol, ref 431550 on Civil Service Jobs, closing date 17/12/25. If he is interested it may be worth sending an email requesting a short discussion before he submits his application to check if he may be able to complete the course more quickly.

There is nothing stopping him looking and it’s thoughtful of you to post but for most degree apprenticeships you are precluded if you already have a degree, especially if it’s a degree in the relevant field.

He should consider related jobs. In our Company all the Technical Planners have engineering degrees, and they get exposure to a wide range of projects whilst supporting strategic decion making.

Train engineering is a good shout because most of them are retiring. It's not high pay though and will be outside London. I agree with heritage volunteering. Try going to one of the heritage diesel days and talk to everyone, telling them he's looking for work. There are a remarkable number of current engineers who attend. Steam train days tend to be more amateur.

Thanks to all for the further thoughts. He’s applied to Network Rail and TFL and been rejected from both. He has a live application with the MoD but as PP have said, he is precluded from the degree apprenticeship because he already has a degree in the field. He’s applied to some junior/technical positions but has had no luck there so far, presumably because he’s “overqualified”.

I’ve had a look at the requirements for the armed forces and he has a couple of medical issues which suggest that, sadly, he is UNFIT for service — as they put it.

I will suggest he looks in to diesel as well as steam heritage volunteering and/or talking to people at open days.

My son is starting to consider a Masters as a fallback if he can't secure work. The job market is awful at the moment and having a 2:2 with limited real experience is hampering his chances. He has secured voluntary work with a local "DIY Fixers" team who hold monthly repair cafes, where people can have household goods repaired for free. He is also volunteering monthly at an aircraft museum. He is keeping his spirits up and I am being relentless with my optimism.

So sorry that he hasn’t had any luck with Network Rail and TFL.

Jacobs have lots of graduate roles on their website. He will have to move though. He'll be fine

Has he considered the water industry? It's the beginning of their price review period so they're going into construction on various types of infrastructure and really need engineers. It's worth considering. There's lots of consultancies also looking for grad engineers even if it's not his thing, it's always easier to get a job once you've got one. Wishing him the best of luck as it's tough out there.

Am rooting for your son. Mine graduated this year and the stress is real. I think his attention to detail on applications is a good thing and very engineer-like, and I’m certain it will pay off now he’s broadened his application criteria. Great that he’s volunteering. At this end of my career I can definitely say that nothing is wasted, ever.

I have to say if he does want to start work, and he has a driving license, why not look into delivery driving? Lots of jobs and it will get him out and about and seeing lots of different companies. Dp’s son delivered for Wiltshire Farm Foods for a while.

Have a look at this Graduate place @Enginer. It’s not engineering but he had a degree and can drive and it might be something to consider?