What are employers looking for in an engineering graduate?

We spoke with Graham, a retired ANSTO Nuclear Mechanical Services Manager

Describe the type of engineering graduate you look to recruit for your various areas of responsibility.

One who has a first or second class honours degree in mechanical engineering and has some practical experience of, and enthusiasm for, mechanical engineering.

What are the generic attributes you require in an employee and why are these important in the workplace?

The most important attributes are a pleasant outgoing personality combined with a confident, positive outlook. A demonstrated ability to work well with others, a responsive attitude, ability to accept advice and criticism without rancour, good self time management, ability to think and plan ahead, and an intelligent and caring conversational style all help to ensure that the graduate will fit into a lively and forward looking work team. A practical, methodical approach to problem solving, collecting and using all relevant data is essential – this includes the skill of sorting what is relevant from what is not.

What do you look for when you are interviewing a engineering graduate for a position?

Someone with the above generic attributes who is free from metallic facial adornments and is clean and reasonably well presented. For positions where there is a lot of running around to do, the graduate should be fit and have an interest in maintaining good health. The ability to withstand a lot of pressure should be demonstrable by reference to some previous situations.

What advice would you give to undergraduate engineering students who are looking to become more employable by the time they graduate?

Graduates who have had some previous work experience (of any kind but in engineering environments especially) and/or experience in running clubs or group activities will be at an advantage, as will those who have achieved some prestige by obtaining school and club awards.

Do you have any other insights from an employer's perspective?

Engineers often have to deal with a wide range of people and use the results of such interactions to produce good designs, project plans and management plans. If you feel anxious about your ability to interact well with others, get yourself involved at an early stage with club or group activities and do a course which focuses on analysing and improving human interactions. Find a good mentor.