• Bear in mind that all levels of apprenticeships can be competitive as there are a limited number of places available for each specialism.
• Make sure you research the company, role, and training provider to ensure it’s the best fit.
• Contacting your preferred company directly, is a great way to find out more about the potential for an apprenticeship. To find out which companies offer apprenticeships, check out this useful link Become an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk).
• Apprenticeships can be a very positive experience and are well suited for people looking for a mix of practical and academic experience.
• Students should consider their own personal learning style and whether they are looking for theory versus hands on experience.
• Consideration should also be given to whether as a student you want to experience campus and university life as opposed to being an employee.

How do you choose the best university for science and engineering courses?

When considering which university to choose, our panel recommended that students fully research a number of elements:

• Look at the rankings of all universities that appeal to you, research the Professors delivering the programme, speak to former students and get their opinion and experience.
• Consider visiting your top university choices for a feel of what university life might be like.
• Overseas universities can offer alternative learning experiences, so it could be worth exploring whether they have your ideal programme.
• Consider the delivery method of the programme, is it mainly theory based or is there a mixture of hands-on practical learning? What style of course content and learning suits you best?
• Look at the key research areas of the university, to see which ones are most aligned with your interests.
• Take a look at recent National Student Survey results, what do the students say about your university and programme of choice? Check out this link for more information: National Student Survey – NSS – Office for Students.
• If considering an apprenticeship, research recent Ofsted reports of the training provider. Reports can be found using this link: Find an Ofsted inspection report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

How do you find relevant work placement opportunities?

Knowing where to find the most relevant work placements can seem an overwhelming task, our panel gave some really useful advice on where to start:

• Careers Placement Services and Alumni Support can be really helpful in finding the most appropriate opportunities for you.
• Many universities work closely with employers who regularly look for students to contribute to their businesses. Professors have a wide network of industry connections, so you can ask for their support.
• Students can do so much to make themselves visible to employers. Don’t be shy and make yourself known! Talk to as many people as possible, tell them what type of placement you’re looking for, what you hope to learn and what skills and experience you already have to offer a potential placement.
• Whilst generally used as a business networking tool, LinkedIn has plenty to offer students too. Create a profile and follow businesses and industry bodies that appeal to your area of interest.
• Setting up a profile on LinkedIn is free and simple. There is an option for a Premium subscription, but it certainly isn’t required when you’re getting started.
• Consider internship opportunities or volunteer roles which can add value to your learning and experience. They also look great on a CV. A few organisations you might want to consider including:

Do you have any helpful tips for those wanting to change career path, to move into a science, engineering, or technology related career?

The STEM sector offers a huge variety of potential careers. Our panellists all agreed that your career path can change over time and is not always linear. The opportunities are endless!

• When considering a change of career path, consider what you’re passionate about. Picture yourself in a particular role – does it excite you?
• Prospects.ac.uk-Job Profiles is a great resource to help with exploring new career paths. Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
• Look for informal mentors in your chosen sector, ask questions! For example, How can I better prepare myself for a career in this industry? Do you have any books that you would suggest I read? How did you build your own career in STEM? Building a network via LinkedIn (as mentioned above) could be a way to find possible mentors.
• Conversion courses and commercial training programmes are widely available, so look for the course(s) that will best suit your new career.
• Graduate apprenticeships may also be an option for you, there is no age limit on when you can start an apprenticeship.

Do you need to be good at maths to be successful in science and engineering? What skills have helped you the most in your career so far?

• Whilst a good grasp of maths and numeracy will undoubtedly set a strong foundation for any STEM learning, the panel agreed that it is not an essential element.
• Analytical skills, problem solving and the ability to think on your feet were all considered important by our panel. These skills can all be developed through your ongoing work experience. Look for work experience opportunities to fill any gaps in your existing skill set.
• The ability to adapt to changing situations and communicate well with a variety of colleagues were also rated highly.

What professional bodies or networking groups are you a member of and why?

As you can see our panel come from a wide range of backgrounds, but one common theme is that each belong to a variety of professional bodies and networking groups.

• Being part of a professional body can provide a range of resources for additional learning, help you keep up to date with developments within your industry and provide potential career opportunities.
• Our panel are members of a range of professional bodies, a few examples include:

• Accreditation to a professional body can demonstrate to potential employers (and peers) that you have the expertise in your chosen industry.
• Not all groups need to be formal, professional bodies. More informal networking groups can be a great source of information and provide an opportunity to share knowledge with like-minded people. A few examples include: