Work Experience - Information for Current Students
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Work experience is a key part of the Bachelor of Engineering degree.
The goals of work experience are:
- To increase an understanding of the engineering terms and concepts introduced during the degree course.
- To provide actual experience of different work roles that you are likely to encounter once working as a professional engineer.
It is a requirement of the degree to complete 800 hours (100 days) of approved work experience in an engineering environment.
The work is normally completed in two periods of about 400 hours preferably with two different employers, but can be completed in three periods (two periods of at least 40 days and one of 20 days). Periods of less than five days are not acceptable.
Students are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities by observing as many different work roles as possible.
Work Experience Programme
As a framework to help you manage your work experience, we have set up three professional courses that you need to pass, although the courses have zero cost and contribute zero points towards your degree. A record of these courses will appear on your academic transcript.
You are strongly encouraged to complete all work experience before you begin your Honours year. You will not be able to graduate until your work experience is completed.
The programme looks like this:
| Year 2 | Trimester 1+2 |
ENGR 291 - Work Experience Preparation
In this course, you will be set some tasks in preparation for looking for work, such as preparing a CV (Curriculum Vitae) for prospective work experience employers. You can see full information in the ENGR291 Course Outline
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| Year 2 | Trimester 3 |
Practical Work Experience
This work is classified as general work experience and will enable you to become familiar with engineering processes and skills, particularly those appropriate to your specialisation.
You need to create a Record of Work Experience for each position you work in. You will also need to write a report on the Work Experience that follows the report guidelines. Both these activities are managed through our Moodle based Work Experience Online System.
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| Year 3 | Trimester 1+2 |
ENGR391 - Practical Work Experience
In this course, you will record your first practical work experience and build on the skills you have learnt in ENGR 291 in preparation for your professional practice work experience. You can see full information in the ENGR391 Course Outline
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| Year 3 | Trimester 3 |
Professional Work Experience
This Professional Work Experience is at a junior engineer level with responsibilities and technical expertise that makes use of your engineering training to date and in a task appropriate to your degree. At least 350 hours at this level is required.
You need to create a Record of Work Experience for each position you work in. You will also need to write a report on the Work Experience that follows the report guidelines. Both these activities are managed through our Moodle based Work Experience Online System.
If work experience carried out prior to your second year of engineering is at a professional level, it may be accepted but only with the prior written consent of the Work Experience Coordinator. If this professional work experience is accepted, then a report must be submitted on that period.
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| Year 4 | Trimester 1+2 |
ENGR491 - Professional Work Experience
Completing ENGR 491 in your final year will ensure that all your work experience and accompanying documentation has been completed. Students who have not finished all their work experience can record details of work to be done after their academic studies are completed. Once ENGR 491 is completed, and all other requirements have been met, a student can proceed to graduation. You can see full information in the ENGR 491 Course Outline
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| Year 4 | Trimester 3 |
Additional Work Experience
If you have not been able to complete at least 800 hours of Work Experience then you will be able to use this time to meet the requirements. You will not be able to graduate until your work experience is completed.
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More Information
More information about work experience is available from:
EResearch