I make the tea, and a damn fine 'cuppa it is too
You don’t get an engineering degree, without a heavy maths content. Most Universities will display cars, workshops, facilities as though you spend all your time in them, you won’t! You will be swearing at a calculator for hours.
If what I gather is correct, you’re not keen on maths (I’m yet to find an engineer who is) I would suggest you look at a HND rather than a degree.
- Maths content is usually reduced
- Less onus on exams, more focus on coursework / projects
- Shorter course (usually 2 years ‘full time’)
- If you choose the right course, you can top up to a degree with an extra year / 18months of study at a later date
I chose this route, and learnt a good degree of practical skill with my HND a degree didn’t offer, I then topped up to a degree, which offered a good deal of academic skill the HND didn’t offer, and at the end of 3 years came out with 2 qualifications and a negative bank balance
I started off as a contractor for Bentley in the Engine Test Beds, and then got made permanent after 18 months, stayed there for another 18 months before moving to the West Midlands to forward my career and been down here for 2 years now. Competition is high for engineers currently, so wages and opportunities reflect this demand, how long it will last, who knows, but make hay whilst the sun shines!
I have friends who work for consultancies, F1, tier 1 suppliers and OEMs, I think those who work for the OEM have the better deal financially for sure, probably the most security too. It is awesome to be able to drive nice cars, tell people you’re working on Hamilton’s latest engine/chassis etc – but none of that pays the mortgage, and if it doesn’t make you happy, isn’t worth much. I have found the people you work with to be far more important than the product, I’m lucky as I currently have an awesome boss, who is far too intelligent, and I can’t bull shit, learn lots, wide variety of work too. I also have the novelty of being able to annoy Andy at work with one of our advanced engineering projects, as it’s rare our paths would usually cross.
Conclusion- Find an OEM willing to fund you through a HND/Degree.
Pete