CUED Industrial Experience Guide for
Undergraduates 2015
CONTENTS
SECTION 1
Introduction
3
SECTION 2
Definitions & Outline of Requirements
4
SECTION 3
Adopting the correct approach
5
SECTION 4
Planning a Strategy
9
SECTION 5
Sources of Information
11
SECTION 6
Approaching Employers and Self Presentation
Letter Writing
Curriculum Vitae's
Interviews
Etiquette
14
SECTION 7
Health and Safety
25
SECTION 8
Provision of Confirmation
25
Industrial Experience Booklet
1
Industrial Placements Team ~ PERSONNEL
The Industrial Placement Co-ordinator
Igor WOWK
Industrial Placement Administrator
Vicky HOUGHTON
If you want to contact them, here is how you do it…………….
COMMUNICATIONS:
 from outside the University:
01223 332778
 Inside the University :
 E- mail addresses :
32778
 Igor WOWK
n.b. calls are free of charge
iw10000@cam.ac.uk
 Igor WOWK & Vicky Houghton
industrial-experience@eng.cam.ac.uk
 Web Site :
https://www.placements.eng.cam.ac.uk/
 Postal Address:
Cambridge University Engineering Department,
Trumpington Street,
Cambridge
CB2 1PZ
 Room Location:
BC3-07 Centre Wing Baker Building
Industrial Experience Booklet
2
SECTION 1
Introduction:
Greetings, welcome to CUED for the next four years, which I hope will be both an enjoyable
and a worthwhile experience. To complete the C U E D course successfully, you will need to
complete a minimum of 8 weeks Industrial Experience and this guide covers what you need
to know about this element of the course.
For some students the Industrial Experience can be one of the most significant parts of the
C.U.E.D. course. It is an opportunity to put some of the theory that you have learnt on the
course into some context. Engineering students can test out their personal capabilities and
start to formulate their career plans based on first hand experience.
Coping with the logistics of obtaining the experience will also test your Project Management
Skills. Initially you will have to assess your priorities, present yourself and develop strategies
to maximise your opportunities. All this takes place against the background of the market
place, where you will be competing for limited opportunities against your colleagues and
students from other Universities globally.
This element of the course is like no other as you have to take full responsibility devising your
strategy and executing it. There is no set timetable, and no certitude as to the outcome of
your plans. Like an engineering company tendering for a bid, some you win and some you
lose. However there are certain strategies that you might adopt to increase your chances and
reduce your dependency on good fortune. The aim of this book is to give you some
strategies and to try & make them work.
Our role is to support and guide you in a number of ways throughout the year, including
providing information, or giving you advice so that you find one or a number of paths that
lead you to your destination. We also try to help you to avoid the pitfalls and hazards that
block your way. Also we maintain contact with employers in order to generate sufficient
opportunities for you.
Cambridge students have a great number of strengths and
advantages which can be exploited. However it is one thing having a
winning hand of cards, it is another knowing when and how to play
them. Working in tandem, we will hopefully be able to carve out
enough suitable openings for you to find a period of work that meets
C U E D’s requirements as well as you own aspirations.
I look forward to making your acquaintance.
Igor WOWK
SECTION 2
Industrial Experience Booklet
3
DEFINITIONS
1. Duration:
C.U.E.D make it obligatory that its Engineering graduates undergo a period of Industrial
Experience prior to graduation.
For those intending to graduate from the Department having read Engineering Part 1B, the
minimum Industrial Experience requirement is 4 WEEKS.
If you stay on to read Part 2 Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering, a further 4 WEEKS is
required to enable the student to graduate successfully at the end of Year 3.
Therefore, students who spend the entire three years period following the Engineering,
Manufacturing Tripos leading to the B.A. with Honours, will require 8 WEEKS IN TOTAL .
It is strongly recommended that undergraduates complete all 8 weeks during their first long
summer vacation. In practice, most undergraduates achieve this aim.
2. Deadlines:
Engineering Part 1B: Written and signed confirmation must be provided which clearly indicates
you have completed a minimum of at least 4 weeks of relevant Industrial Experience before the
Part 1B examinations at the end of the Easter term. A deadline is set in mid February during Part
1B, which allows time over the Easter vacation to complete the necessary experience should the
work presented for credit prove to be invalid.
Part 2 Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering:
As for Part 1B except the deadline is the examiners meeting at the end of Easter term & prior to
you obtaining your B.A. with Honours.
3. Deferrals:
They are only allowed on grounds of ill health. Without the successful completion of the necessary
Industrial Experience, the Faculty rules state that graduation with Honours from the relevant part
of the course is not possible.
4. Migrants from other Tripos:
If you migrate to CUED after the First Year (Part 1A), you are required to complete the full eight
weeks of the Requirements as outlined above.
If you migrate to CUED from another Department to read Part 2 Engineering, having completed
your Part 1B studies elsewhere, you are only required to complete 4 WEEKS relevant Industrial
Experience in order to graduate.
The work can be relevant to any of the Engineering disciplines covered in the ENTIRE B.A.
Engineering course, regardless of whether it is chosen as a specialist subject in Year 3/4.
5. Definition of Acceptability:
The Faculty Board provide a definition, which is reproduced overleaf, together with some more
detailed guidelines to help you interpret the statement.
Industrial Experience Booklet
4
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Department of Engineering
Industrial Experience Requirement:
Engineering & Manufacturing Engineering Tripos
The Tripos regulations state that: ‘to obtain honours in Part IB of the Engineering Tripos a candidate must
satisfy the Examiners that he or she has such workshop or equivalent experience as shall be determined by the
Faculty Board of Engineering, and to obtain honours in Part IIA of the Engineering Tripos or the Manufacturing
Engineering Tripos, a candidate must satisfy the Examiners that he or she has such industrial or equivalent
experience as shall be determined by the Faculty Board’.
The Faculty Board have approved the following requirements:
•
Part IB of the Engineering Tripos: four weeks of relevant industrial experience [by the end of the
second year];
•
Part IIA of the Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering Triposes: four additional weeks of relevant
industrial experience or, for a student who has not been a candidate for Part IB of the Engineering
Tripos, four weeks of relevant industrial experience [by the end of the third year].
Definition of relevant industrial experience
Relevant industrial experience is defined as work of a technical nature that is related to the subjects studied in
the Engineering Tripos and the Manufacturing Engineering Tripos. It may involve design, development, testing,
manufacturing, construction or research work, and should include interaction with the work of others who are
likely to be professionally qualified.
Practical training in the use of tools in an engineering training workshop will be acceptable for one period of
four weeks of relevant industrial experience, whether for the Engineering Tripos Part IB or for the Engineering
or Manufacturing Engineering Tripos Part IIA, but not for both the required periods. Although students do not
have to undertake any industrial experience before starting the course, it may be possible to count time spent
working between school and university towards this requirement.
Any dispute concerning the interpretation of these requirements will be determined by appeal to the Head of
the Department of Engineering, whose decision will be final.
Advice:
CUED has an Industrial Experience Coordinator, Mr. I. Wowk, who advises students and employers on matters
relating to industrial experience and assists ‘deferred entrants’ and undergraduate Engineering students to
find suitable work experience and meet the course requirements. Mr. Wowk holds a comprehensive database
of suitable companies which may be accessed at any time in working hours and will supply a CUED pro-forma
log book on request so that the industrial experience can be recorded effectively.
Mr Wowk has an office in the Upper Centre Wing of the Baker Building, Room BC3-07. He may be contacted
on 01223 332778 or iw10000@cam.ac.uk Further information is online at
•
https://www.placements.eng.cam.ac.uk/
Documentation:
Confirmation is required from an authorised officer of the company or institution that the industrial
experience has been obtained. This should preferably be in the form of a signed log book, though a letter from
the company would suffice. This written confirmation of the work should be presented by the student to the
Industrial Experience Coordinator.
Industrial Experience Booklet
5
RECOMMENDED TYPES OF ACTIVITY SUITABLE FOR
C.U.E.D. INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
RESEARCH
DESIGN
•
gathering of existing knowledge
•
•
outline, sketch, plan, for future
product
extending knowledge through
experimentation
•
production of arrangement or layout
•
production of plans and drawings to
be used in manufacturing
construction processes
•
creation of systems
•
calculation of costs
•
choice of materials
•
examining existing practices and
improving them
DEVELOPMENT
•
MANUFACTURING
taking plans and putting them into
practice working in production to improve
procedures
•
acquisition of materials
•
planning of production schedules
•
commissioning of plant and procedures
•
assembly manufacture
•
optimisation of productive capacity
•
control and automation
•
test of prototypes and analysis of results
•
maintenance and repair of machinery
and equipment
•
quality control and testing of
components and manufactured
products
AFTER SALES & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
•
technical support to customers
•
Integration of engineering functions
•
servicing and repair
•
Gathering and Management of data
for analysis and feedback.
•
Software control of engineering
functions
•
Management of systems
Industrial Experience Booklet
6
TYPES OF INDUSTRY
ACCEPTABLE INDUSTRIES FOR INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE:

Bio medical & Bio engineering

Manufacturing - Production

Chemical Engineering

Material production

Civil and Structural

Mechanical

Electrical

Software and Hardware

Electronics

Telecommunications

Energy production and distribution

Transport
INDUSTRIES NOT RELEVANT

Pharmaceuticals, except engineering functions

Building of houses and small units

Furniture making and woodworking industries

Agriculture, except machinery manufacture and repair

Computer software houses who operate in commercial/financial sector
RELEVANCY

Each year a number of students arrive at the University having completed some
previous employment experience, but they decide that the work they have done is not
suitable for CUED requirements. However it is the function of the Industrial
Placement Co-ordinator to make that judgement. So, if you are in any doubt, consult
Igor WOWK and he will tell you if the work that you have completed will meet CUED
requirements and then he will tell you what you need to do to complete the verification
process.

Similarly, if you obtain an offer of a placement and you re unsure it meets the criteria,
consult the Industrial Placement Co-ordinator

More details about the confirmation procedure are available on Page 24
Industrial Experience Booklet
7
SECTION 3
BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY :
Finding a suitable Industrial Experience placement can be compared to catching a fish. You
need to make sure that you have the right equipment, you need to know where the best
places are to catch one and you need patience and persistence. You also need to be able to
modify your approach according to results & the prevailing conditions.
CUED specifies the type of fish permissible, and it’s virtually
anything in the whole sea of engineering opportunities. However
whatever you are seeking to land, the procedures and protocols are
pretty much the same. If you have not done this kind of thing before,
if you are wise, you would seek advice and guidance from those who
have (e.g. your seniors in College) & from your resident experts
based in the Industrial Placements team.
Whilst the enthusiasm and independence of youth has merit, it is
more productive when combined with the wisdom of experience.
If you are going to be a professional engineer or a professional anything you will need
to be able to understand the requirements of what you need to do, assess the
resources available to you, make plans, review them, assess their effectiveness and
make changes and adjustments if necessary.
One important element that many students overlook is keeping track of their efforts. We
provide a simple but useful tool in the form of a grid which will help you. It will help me see
any patterns and help me to gauge if your plans need adjusting. Frequently I will ask you
throughout the year the following question, “What is the state of play?” When students ask
me for help I need to be able to see instantly what you have done so far and how we can
move forward. When you are involved in Projects, either managing them or as part of a team,
the co-ordinator, your boss, colleagues or the client/customer will want to know, ”What’s
going on? “ and so will your team members.
Contingency plans are essential, if Plan A is not working you need to run Plan B. Ideally
you need to run more than one plan simultaneously. Some people think this might be a waste
of time, however personally I am a great believer in Sod’s Law, basically if you rely on just
one plan chances are it will fail, if you have made two probably they will both work. Which
situation would you rather be in?
The following pages will guide you through the process outlined in the highlighted box above.
Industrial Experience Booklet
8
SECTION 4
INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE SEEKERS ALMANAC
October: Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, a time for contemplation as we enter the dark winter
months. Sow in autumn for blooms in spring, the more you prepare, the better the results.
On arrival at C U E D, getting to grips with coursework is your main priority, but throughout the year
you will need to balance the various commitments of your time. An astute investment now may save
you having to spend more time at a later stage and reduce a lot of potential anxiety. The amount
needed is not huge, just 3 - 4 hours initially to sort out your c.v./letter, followed by an hour a week
searching databases or responding to offers. The vacations are an oasis of time, drink your fill when
you have the chance, there might not be another water hole for weeks.
November: Ideally your contemplation will ferment like apples into cider, resulting in a plan of action
that should include contingencies. Normally that plan should include:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
A workable, realistic strategy, focussed on a sector, type or geographical grouping of potential
employers, leading to a list of identifiable contacts.
Preparation of a message or letter to be sent by post or e-mail.
Networking activities to supplement your list or create a fallback plan.
An attempt to seek advice on the feasibility of your plans.
Readiness and flexibility to respond to any available opportunities.
December/January time for recuperation and reflection as well as an opportunity to utilise those long
dark evenings to advance the above operation by
♦
♦
♦
♦
Making up any lost time on the above.
Following up any approaches with reminders or making personal contacts.
More networking in your local community.
Hopefully, responding to whiffs of interest or offers of meetings.
February/March If you feel that your main plan has not produced the desired response, it may be time
to review or refresh your approach or extend it. You may have to compromise on some of your
ideas, by widening your scope in terms of type, sector and the geographical locations that you are
prepared to consider. It is better to do this sooner than at the last minute. Seek advice, as to why your
plan is not working, there might be a reason that you cannot see. It is not a sign of weakness to seek
advice, indeed, it is the opposite. Andy Murray did not win Wimbledon until he got the right coach to
give him the advice he needed.
April/Easter: Pursue actively some of those places who you really want to work with.
♦ Try a more direct approach via telephone or maybe a visit, use your network of contacts.
♦ Make those tough decisions re compromising your ideas now, and adjust your plans accordingly,
don't wait until you are desperate.
May/June. If you are still looking, this is when you regret that you did not put in the effort earlier, with
exams pressing down as well as training for the "bumps", you could do without having to seek out
work experience. Streamlining your application procedures and being alert to opportunities that are
available and that are presented to you will help. Decisiveness, & flexibility are the key words at this
stage.
This is only a suggested timetable. The ability to create, recognise and seize opportunities is the key
to a successful pursuit of your goal. Your creativity, self reliance and motivation will be tested.
However if you don't do anything, nothing will happen.
Remember that procrastination is the thief of time.
Industrial Experience Booklet
9
PLANNING A STRATEGY
Before you launch into sending off large numbers of messages, there are a number
of things you should consider first.
YOURSELF Many students choose the Cambridge course because it allows
them to defer making specific career choices until the third year. Given the
changeable nature of the economy and increased flexibility required within
jobs, our students can be at an advantage compared to students on single
subject courses.
However, when it comes to applying for work experience many students are
at a loss as to how to start whittling down the huge number of potential
companies to a manageable number.
Please find below a number of criteria you may find useful.
LOCATION: Most students prefer to be near their home for convenience and cost
purposes, however a certain number every year prefer to be away from home. The
most common location is Cambridge, due to the ease of obtaining accommodation
and local company links with the Department. In general, companies will prefer
students who can reside near them, as they know that there will be few
accommodation problems. It is also more economic for students.
SIZE: There are advantages to working with larger companies, they tend to offer
more placements and they have a wider range of opportunities. Conversely the
competition is greater, they tend to establish links with specialist courses and they
have rigid, inflexible recruitment policies for student placements, and often prefer
undergraduates in the penultimate year of the course.
Smaller companies can often offer a more interesting experience to the first year
student as their size allows you to gain familiarity with the workforce more quickly
and you will be involved in a greater range of activities. Most importantly you can
often negotiate directly with key people rather than via the Administrative structures
that large companies often operate.
SECTOR: You may decide to target a certain sector, such as Aerospace or
Automotive. Invariably these two are the most popular choices, but they do not
necessarily always offer the greatest number of opportunities for vacation work.
You may decide on a sector because you think it will be your eventual career choice.
On the other hand, you would be well advised to check the economic buoyancy of a
sector and this may be a better indicator regarding the possibility of finding work.
Certain industries tend to be grouped in certain areas for geographical or historic
reasons.
Industrial Experience Booklet
10
TYPE OF WORK: Some students may wish to experience practical work, as this
forms a very limited part of the course at CUED. Learning to operate machines,
making things and maintaining them are all useful ways of acquiring skills, as well as
understanding how the design, manufacture and durability of products inter-relate.
These are just 4 examples, but when attempting to sift any database you will need to
be able to select organisations which will be open to your requirements, and you
may well have your own criteria.
Industrial Experience Booklet
11
SECTION 5
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
IN THE DEPARTMENT

"On-Line" Databases:
C.U.E.D. maintains a database available EXCLUSIVELY to CAMBRIDGE STUDENTS,
available via the Internet. However you will require your Raven Password to operate the
system. The database contains details of companies that have said they are willing to take
students or they have done so in the past. You can send in speculative applications to the
contacts given or there may be specific opportunities for you to apply to. In both cases you
may well be competing with students from other Engineering courses, so follow the
instructions carefully and if in doubt, apply early.
LINK TO CHOICE DATABASE

World Wide Web;
Many DATABASES containing company information on the WORLD WIDE WEB. On this
web page they are grouped by sector and other classifications.


http://www.placements.eng.cam.ac.uk/Resources
Notice boards:
Details of vacancies are posted on my main Notice board situated in the Inglis Ground Floor
Corridor round the corner from the Drinks and Food Dispensing Machines.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY CAREERS SERVICE ( C U C S )

Situated in Stuart House, Mill Lane, Cambridge it is a mine of employer information.
They have their own web site:
http://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/

They have a database of 4000 companies, as well as "GRADLINK" a database of ExCambridge students currently working in companies willing to act as advisers.

They have a Summer Vacation Work service, available "on-line". You can register a
search and they will automatically send you the information which matches your criteria.
Many employers send their offers direct to CUCS

Company Presentations which take place throughout the Michaelmas and Lent terms can
be useful for making contacts as is the MICHAELMAS CAREERS FAIR .
Industrial Experience Booklet
12
SECTION 6
APPROACHING EMPLOYERS & SELF PRESENTATION
KEY FACTORS
-
targeted approach: try and identify named personnel wherever possible.
networking; if you have friends or relatives who can vouch for you do not be
reluctant to use them.
clarity: make sure your letter states clearly who you are, what you want, when you
want it, why they should take you and how they can contact you.
content: your CV should present your personal details, academic record, current
studies, any skills and abilities that you have, any measurable personal achievements
and lastly hobbies and interests.
PRESENTATION
Expectations of Cambridge students are exceptionally high, which means employers
will be expecting that everything that you do to be of the highest quality, including
composing messages and your c.v. It is essential to:
-
put forward the most relevant details about yourself.
structure and organise your effort coherently so that it is easy to read.
It is important that you present the type of information that allows the potential employer to be
able to make a decision as to whether to pursue his/her interest in you or not. Below is a list
of some of the things they would like to know:-
Intelligence - you should have no problem demonstrating this.
-
Reliability - can you turn up and do a days work consistently?
-
Knowledge - in particular of engineering related matters.
-
Skills - any practical or technical skills that would be useful to the EMPLOYER.
-
Ability to learn quickly & to work with the minimum of supervision.
-
Teamwork – very probably you will be working with others.
-
Dealing with people outside the organisation i.e. public/customers.
This is not an exhaustive list and the order of priority will vary according to the individual
employer's requirements for the job in hand. However, you should try and get across this
information in some form or another in your CV and letter.
Industrial Experience Booklet
13
OTHER FACTORS
ASSUMPTIONS
The biggest one is that busy employers are familiar with the
course content of the CUED degree, or if they are not, they have the time to go and
look it up. You will be surprised by the level of ignorance, but given the number of
University courses available in Engineering, you should not be. In all cases,
assume the employer knows NOTHING about CUED courses.
RELEVANCY Many CV's that are presented include much information which is of
little or no use to employers. You may be quite proud of the fact that you are in
three different orchestras or have represented your school, college etc at a sport,
however, for the purposes of finding a summer vacation job it is sufficient to know
that you actively pursue interests other than engineering.
LEVEL OF DETAIL One of the most frequent mistakes is to use too much space
on your GCSE results and virtually nothing on your current studies. Students in the
past have even omitted to mention they are studying Engineering!
STRUCTURE Information should always be presented in reverse chronological
order i.e. the things you have done most recently at the top and in greater detail.
Employers are more interested in what you are doing now than what you were doing
4/5 years ago.
HEADINGS Make good use of these in your CV to organise your presentation.
PARAGRAPHS Should always be avoided in CV's, bullet points should be used,
and are useful as they force you to distil your thoughts more precisely.
REFERENCES
necessary.
OVERALL
yourself.
For vacation work, it is sufficient to state you can supply them if
Your CV should resemble a photograph, and be a picture in words of
There are some basic points that you need to get across in a letter and in a CV. I
have provided some annotated examples.
I have written a letter but avoided drafting a CV and used some previous efforts to
give you an idea of the standard required, with my comments annotated. If you
require consultation regarding the drafting of your letter of CV please do not hesitate
to visit me, preferably by appointment.
Re the draft letter, please try and use some imagination and variation from this
example as Employers have remarked how similar they look when they have
received a batch of letters. Above all, avoid copying the sentences verbatim.
Industrial Experience Booklet
14
Your Own full
Postal address
With Postcode
Address of the Organisation that
You are writing to
Para. No. 1 should say:-
•
•
who you are & what you want
when you are available
Para. No. 2 should state:-
•
•
The areas of work that interest you,
BUT keep your options open
Why you want the job
Date:
Dear Mr/Mrs ( Insert the name)
My name is ( YOUR NAME) , & I am in the first year of my undergraduate studies reading Engineering
at Knowledge College, Cambridge. I am writing to ask you if there is any possibility of vacation work
within your organisation during the summer months of 2016. I am available to start work on the 1st July.
I am interested in many aspects of work including research, design, development and manufacturing
activities and would be interested in a proposition involving practical or technical work in those areas.
However any work that would develop my practical understanding of my subject, develop my skills, and
allow me to make a more informed decision about my future course options and consequent career
choices, would be useful to me.
I have a strong interest in Electronics and during my lecture course I have covered some of the basic
principles, undertaken some experiments, completed a short project on microprocessors. I have also
acquired some basic design skills and I have some familiarity with software engineering design, in
particular "C ++" which is part of our coursework.
The course work includes development of our analytical skills by means of laboratory experiments,
problem solving activities and the development of presentation skills. Through my studies and other
activities I have developed the ability to manage my own time effectively & work to deadlines with the
minimum of supervision. Additionally, in my spare time I undertake some relevant hobbies (Mention
them).
Paragraph linking you with the organisation.
I hope that my candidature interests you and if you require further details I can be contacted by post
during term and by text/telephone during the vacation period or via e-mail during term time.
I am available to visit your premises on a certain date.
I hope my application is of interest to you & I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Para. Nos. 3/4 tells the employer
•
•
What YOU have to offer THEM
Close with an invitation to contact you &
suggest the best means of doing that.
Which of your skills, knowledge
and attitudes might be useful to
Industrial Experience Booklet
them.
15
N.B.There is no mention of the C.U.E.D.
Requirements. Try & give the impression
that it's YOU who wants the job.
This is an accompanying letter
composed by one of our First Year
Engineering students, & is a very good
effort.
22 Acacia Avenue,
London,
NW1 4SE
Date: 22nd September 2008
Acme Engineering Co.
Tobacco Road,
Bluesville,
Kent
BL21 2NH
Dear Mr/Ms. Contact-person,
My name is Barney Rubble. I am in the first year of my undergraduate studies reading Engineering at
Peterhouse, Cambridge University. I am writing to inquire whether there is any prospect of vacation
work within your organisation during the summer months of 2016. I am available to start work on the
1st July.
I am interested in a position involving practical or technical work in the design, development and
manufacturing areas of Acme Engineering. I would like the opportunity to enhance my own experience
and practical understanding of engineering techniques, which will allow me to make a more informed
decision about my course options and the direction of my ensuing career.
( Paragraph linking you with the organisation. )
At present, the course syllabus covers a broad range of engineering material; we are taught the basics
of Materials, Structural Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Linear and Digital Systems. There are
several experiments associated with each module, and this provides us with a deeper insight into the
practical applications of the theory. Further analytical skills such as problem solving (such as software
design) and presentation skills are developed through coursework.
Within the limited time frame of the academic terms, I have developed the ability to successfully
manage my time, improve my project management, team working & communication skills, whilst
balancing the academic workload with the extra-curricular activities such as sports, music and
participation in societies. This has been enhanced by my ability to work to deadlines and under
pressure with the minimum of supervision. With the emphasis on teamwork in many of the projects
undertaken in our studies, I have also improved my capacity for working in groups to solve problems.
I hope that my application interests you, and if you require any further details I can be contacted by
post during term-time, or alternatively by text/telephone during the vacation period on ( …….)
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Mr B. Rubble.
Industrial Experience Booklet
16
Yours sincerely, if you know the
person you are writing to:
Yours faithfully, if you put Dear
Sir or Madam
YOUR NAME HERE
PERSONAL DETAILS
Nationality
British
Date of Birth: 10th December 1982
Telephone No.
01284 456789
Address
The Old Vicarage, Haworth, West Yorks. BR26 3EN
EDUCATION
2015- 2019
Masters Level.
Cambridge College, University of Cambridge, reading Engineering to
1st Year Course Content:
•
•
•
•
•
•
2010 - 2015
Mechanics, Structural Mechanics and Materials.
Thermodynamics and Linear Systems & Vibrations.
Mathematical Methods and Dimensional Analysis.
Digital and Analogue Circuits.
Drawing, including projection theory and CAD.
Programming in C and Structural Design Course.
St Bede's School:
•
•
•
WORK HISTORY
Aug. - Sept. 2015
4 'A' levels - Maths (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (A), Biology. (A)
2 ‘AS’ levels - Further Maths (A), Geography (A)
10 GCSEs A grade.
Note the use of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bullet Points
Headings
Shading
Underlining
Indentation
Bold Type
Sales Associate for Reebok outlet, Long Island, New York
Developed interpersonal skills with customer relations. Implemented the marketing strategy of adjusting
the floor plan so that the accessories were more prominently displayed to increase sales. I also gained
many insights into manager - staff relations and working practices.
July - Nov. 2014
Data Entry and Systems Operator with the U.S. Embassy in Vienna
I was a part of a team set up to initiate a new encrypted card access system for the Embassy. This
involved programming the cards with different codes defining the level of entry restrictions. Under my
own initiative I set up a more efficient spreadsheet accounting system to monitor financial records.
POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
• 2014 - Held Top Secret clearance while working at the U.S. Embassy.
• 2013 - Was group leader for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Scheme Expedition.
LANGUAGE & COMPUTING SKILLS
• Basic French and German skills.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access
OTHER ACTIVITIES
• Completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Scheme.
• Playing rugby and rowing in the College 1st teams.
• I enjoy travelling, and spent 14 months abroad.
REFERENCES
• Available On Request
Industrial Experience Booklet
17
Bill BLOGGS
Personal Details
DOB
16 September 1988
Nationality: British
University:
Girton College
Cambridge
CB3 OJG
e-mail: bill@cam.ac.uk
mobile no. 0******7
Home:
1, Seaview Road,
Bolton by Bowland,
Yorks.
YO6 4JP
Tel. no.
0*********
Education
2015-2019
B.A. /M.Eng. Engineering
1st year subjects:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mechanics, Structural mechanics and materials.
Thermodynamics, linear systems and vibrations.
This is a sample C. V. originally
compiled by one of our First Year
students, later given the Word
"treatment" to increase the impact.
Mathematical methods, and dimensional analysis.
Digital and analogue electronics, including microprocessors
Electromagnetics and information processing.
Drawing including projection theory and CAD.
C++ programming.
Product and structural design.
2013 - 2015
Redhead College, Bacup, Lancs.,.
A-levels:
2008 - 2013
Maths- A, Physics- A,
Further Maths- A,
General Studies- B.
Bedlam High School, Ramsbottom, Lancs.
GCSEs:
12 grade A-B including 10 grade A.
Projects
Summer 2014
Headstart Course at Surrey University:
•
2013
1 week course of lectures and experiments in all areas of engineering. Group project
and presentation in Gait Analysis.
Engineering Education Scheme:
•
Working with Dresser Roots Holmes to design a new test rig,, concluding with a
report and presentation.
Industrial Experience Booklet
18
If you are going to use two
pages, make sure you put your
name on the second page, as they
may get separated.
Bill BLOGGS
Work Experience
Include why it’s
relevant, e. g.
working with
customers
♦
Summer 2015
Outdoor activities instructor: Camp Windermere, Ambleside.
♦
July 2014
Waiter: Pizza Hut, Wonderland
♦
June 2013
One week work shadowing at David Brown Engineering, Wonderland.
♦
Sept.2011
Assistant instructor: Buckden House Outdoor Activity Centre, Yorkshire Dales.
Interests
Sports:
•
•
•
Outdoor activities: Water sports, potholing, walking, climbing.
Life saving: Current member of the Bogcastle Life saving Club.
Community Sports Leader Award.
Duke of Edinburgh Award:
•
•
RAF:
Other:
•
•
•
•
Achieved Bronze and Silver.
Working towards Gold, having completed an expedition in Bavaria in September.
Officer Cadet in the Cambridge University Air Squadron.
Royal Air Force Sixth form Scholarship.
Royal Air Force Flying Scholarship.
Air Training Corps: Gained the rank of Sergeant in 2 years; passed all exams with
distinction.
•
Very keen traveller, with an ambition to tour Canada in the near future.
REFEREES:
Available upon request.
Note the use of :
1 . Bullet Points & Highlighting
2. Underlining, Bold & Borders
3. Different sized fonts
Industrial Experience Booklet
19
Note also the use
of numbered pages
Note the use of headings to separate
the information into easily identifiable
categories, enabling the reader to
scan the document quickly.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Address :
Valhalla,
Paradise Road,
Crinkley Bottom,
Surrey
BD5 1ZV
Date of Birth : 16th. July, 1979.
Email :
mjones@globalnet.co.uk
Telephone :
0**********
EDUCATION
2015- 2019
BA ( Hons ) M.Eng Engineering.
Jesus College, Cambridge University.
Courses currently studying so far :
Electronics
Mechanics
Electrical
Thermodynamics
Linear Systems
Materials
Structures
Mathematics
Course Work
• Computing:
• Design:
•
Instrumentation:
C++, Microprocessor Assembler, CAD ( ME2 )
Structural Project, Product design, Drawing Skills
Electronic
Can operate CRO., Multimeter
2013- 2015
G.C.E. A-Levels at My School, Toytown.
•
Maths (A), Physics (A), Electronics (A).
2011 - 2013
•
9 G.C.S.E.s at St Johns High School, Bluesville.
Obtained A-C Grades.
•
Note the use of
REVERSE
CHRONOLOGICAL
order.
Note the emphasis on
the most RECENT
achievements
Avoid using paragraphs
and use bullets points.
EMPLOYMENT
Summer 2015
2 Weeks of work experience at Business Telecommunication Systems.
Worked in Quality Assurance and Hardware Engineering departments.
Throughout this period I learned more about the workings of Computers in
general. I was also involved in the repair of several
monitors and
keyboards.
Summer 2014
3 Weeks of work experience at Biggles Aviation as a Receptionist.
During this period I developed my communication skills with members
of the public.
INTERESTS
I enjoy playing Basketball, Chess and Tennis. Other interests
include Computer programming and exploring the Internet.
REFEREES
Mr. Danson,
St Johns Scout Brigade
Bluesville.
Note the relatively low proportion of
space spent on hobbies etc. Employers are
more interested in relevant skills.
Industrial Experience Booklet
20
Mr. Man-in-Black
St Johns High School,
Bluesville
It's always useful to indicate you
have done SOME work, even if it is
not directly relevant.
Use this grid to record and keep track of your approaches to employers
NAME OF
ORGANISATION
LOCATION
CONTACT
Industrial Experience Booklet
21
TELEPHONE
NUMBER
DATE
SENT
RESPONSE
YES/NO?
FOLLOW UP
ACTION TO BE
TAKEN
INTERVIEWS
Assuming your CV is a roaring success and you are invited to visit the company, the
final obstacle you will have to surmount is the INTERVIEW.
These exchanges have many variations and are conducted with varying degrees of
professionalism. Like any other skill, interviewing, as well as being interviewed, can
be learnt. In this guide I can offer you some basic advice on the following points.
ATTITUDE
Too many people view interviews as a potential inquisition by the
employer, with a modicum of confidence and the ability to ask your own questions,
you can turn it into an exchange of information about each other.
PREPARATION If you can demonstrate an interest in what the organisation is
doing, rather than simply put forward your own needs you will raise your standing as
well as gaining a better idea of how you might fit in. Information about companies is
easy to obtain, simply ring them up or write to them and ask them to send you
copies of their annual report, sales literature etc. Otherwise try the Careers Service
Employers Library, Library World Wide Web etc.
ANTICIPATION It is not difficult to anticipate the type of questions you will be
asked. The difficult part is working out some cogent answers.
ON THE DAY Some golden rules, which may appear glaringly obvious, but are
frequently broken.
-
make sure you arrive at the venue 15 minutes before you are due to be
questioned, check transport, location etc beforehand.
-
smile and be polite to everyone, shake hands firmly and maintain good eye
contact.
-
sit comfortably in your seat, try and relax as much as possible.
-
show an interest in them, flattery is the best possible route to success, but do
not overdo it.
-
talk about yourself confidently, but not arrogantly.
-
make sure it is made clear when, and by what means, you will receive the
results of the interview.
 Further notes and information
•
http://www.placements.eng.cam.ac.uk/Search/CV
Industrial Experience Booklet
22
INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ETIQUETTE - CODE OF CONDUCT
This is a set of guidelines that we expect our students to adhere to when approaching employers for
internships/placements.
1.
Always respond to correspondence straight away, either by telephone, post or e-mail. We know that
not all companies respond to you, but why be rude to the ones that have bothered?
2.
If you receive an offer, always acknowledge it.
3.
If you wish to delay your final answer, check first if this is acceptable and obtain a deadline for your
decision. You may wish to receive a few offers before you make up your mind, however please be
aware that some students in the past have found that an offer has been withdrawn because the
students have taken so long to respond.
4.
If you receive an offer, and you have accepted it either verbally or in writing, stick to your agreement.
This applies especially to opportunities where you have been put forward by CUED with your
approval, and if you make use of the CUED system please give priority to any offer made via a CUED
introduction. If you wish to withdraw before an offer is made or refuse an offer, at least give plenty of
notice.
5.
Once you have received an offer you will not be put forward directly for any more jobs via the CUED
system until you have either accepted or declined the offer although you may continue to receive
circulars. You should note that we often find out if offers have been made from the employers as well
as from students.
6.
If you have two offers and you wish to decline one or more of them, let the rejected employer know
as soon as possible. You should explain that there was nothing wrong with their offer, however you
received another which you think is more suitable for you, if possible give a reason. It would be really
helpful especially to your fellow students if you suggested to the organisation that you have spurned,
that CUED have other students similar to yourself willing to stand in. Please forward their contact
details to the Industrial Placement office so that we can capitalise on any opportunity.
7.
Accepting an offer, and backing out later, failing to turn up for the job at short notice or without any
notice and not completing the agreed period are forbidden and have serious consequences.
8.
For CUED and future students and they are as follows:
o
Usually we lose the place for that particular year and for future placements forever.
For the individual student concerned.
o
For the student I report the matter immediately to the College Director of Studies in the
hope that some form of disciplinary action is taken.
o
You will be blocked from receiving CUED circulars re summer vacation opportunities or
graduate opportunities if you are in the final year.
o
You will not be put forward as a candidate for any future summer vacation opportunities via
the CUED system.
o
If a switch of employers is attempted the facts will be forwarded to the second employer
regarding the circumstances of any switch if the placement is with an employer with whom
we are familiar and particularly if the second employer has been accessed via the CUED
system.
99.9% of our students conduct themselves impeccably, which is vital, as employers expectations of
CUED students are high, and your own expectations of yourself ought to match them. Deal with other
people as you would expect to be dealt with yourself and you will not go far wrong.
Industrial Experience Booklet
23
SECTION 7
HEALTH AND SAFETY
CUED takes certain steps to ensure your Health and Safety on Industrial
Placements.
Firstly all students receive a Health and Safety briefing on entering the Department.
The points made in this lecture are equally applicable to your Industrial Experience.
Secondly you will receive a logbook which has a detailed checklist for you to follow
and the employer will also be asked to assess your Health and Safety awareness.
When you are issued your logbook, you will also receive a copy of a letter which
should be forwarded to your future employer.
SECTION 8
PROVISION OF CONFIRMATION
CONFIRMATION OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify for the Industrial experience requirements you will need to provide
WRITTEN confirmation of having completed the work.
You may present a company logbook or the one issued by the Department, available
from the Industrial Placement Coordinator. Whichever method you choose, you
must be able to demonstrate clearly that you have met the following CUED criteria :
-
your work is relevant to the Engineering elements of the course
that it involves interaction with other Engineers
and that it took place in an Engineering environment
The detail must include as a bare minimum:
-
your name and College
-
the dates between which you undertook the work.
-
a description of your activities, preferably in the context of the company's
activities.
-
a signature of your supervisor or someone who can verify your work.
-
points of contact, should we need to query any of the information including
address and telephone number.
This information should be presented to the Industrial Placement Coordinator as
soon as possible in the Michaelmas term.
Industrial Experience Booklet
24