IMechE UNITEN Student Chapter

Your perfect partner this February As another round of deadlines for graduate schemes loom, now is the perfect time to be thinking about your future career. In this month’s newsletter we profile Ian Dale, a graduate working atDoosan Power Systems, a leading provider of cleaner, greener technology, products and services to the global power generation industry.  We also take a look at the different career options open to mechanical engineers, and discuss overpopulation in our topic of the month. IMechE Member Profile Ian Dale, University of Edinburgh Graduate, Product Development Project Engineer at  Doosan Power Systems, Renfrew What was the interview process at Doosan Power Systems like? My own experience was great! I was spotted by the Technical Services Director during a summer placement, and invited to an interview at the Global Headquarters. Things are generally more formal than that though, as applicants are evaluated over the course of an assessment day through a group exercise, individual interviews and a tour of the site. Candidates are invited to ask about the company, the graduate scheme and discuss the experiences of recent graduates like me. What do you enjoy most about your job? The adrenaline of kicking off a project, then the sheer sense of satisfaction of completing it on time and on budget. What’s your top tip for job hunting graduates at the moment? Figure out what you’re good at and where your ambitions lie, stick to it and build on it. Why did you decide to join the IMechE, and what benefits of membership have you found so far? Joining the Institution holds considerable benefits for career progression through professional development courses and for networking. It also provides an easy way of giving something back through Young Members and community projects like Engineer Your Future. Visit the Doosan Power Systems website to learn more about their graduate scheme. Get the inside track on engineering From the medical industry to aerospace, mechanical engineers play a key role in the success of companies in every field. As you begin to think more about life after university, it’s important to have a good idea of which industry you’d like to move into, and we’re here to help!Check out the industry insights section of our website for the lowdown on engineering careers in each different sector. You can also read profiles of engineers working in a variety of different roles to give you the vital inside information you need to make your career decision. Ability is a crucial factor in deciding your sector, but don’t forget to also choose something you find interesting! The best engineers love what they do, and you’ll want to enjoy going to work every day. Bloodhound technical lecture Bloodhound SSC Chief Engineer Mark Chapman delivered a technical lecture to a packed hall of IMechE members in Glasgow last month. After highlighting the education mission that underpins Bloodhound, and some of the history behind the project (including a video of an 800mph rocket test run!), Mark shared some of the more intriguing design features of the car. For example, the wheels may be made of recycled aluminium to prove the material can cope with high performance applications, while the ‘top heavy’ body shape not usually found in conventional vehicle designs has been chosen specifically with travel at 1000 mph in mind. The lecture was one of a series designed to inspire more IMechE members to become Ambassadors for the project. Find out how you can get involved in the Bloodhound project. Topic of the Month - The Population Explosion The Chinese government recently announced plans to build a mega city twice the size of Wales to provide housing for 42 million people. With 75% of the global population of 9.5 billion expected to live in cities by 2100, we asked you how engineering can solve the challenges of overpopulation. Many members pointed out the role mechanical engineers in the medical field have to play in the development of effective birth control solutions, and the accompanying moral dilemmas. From a town planning perspective, Raman Krishnan suggests “multi tier townships, Residential at one level, industrial at another and commercial in yet another? Commute vertically!”, while Dave Gornall proposes making better use of the land we already have, supplementing it with reclaimed land from oceans in future decades. Check out our recent Population Report for the IMechE perspective.