Work placements for engineering students
Work-Integrated Learning is an integral component of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and the Diploma in Engineering Management.
As part of your development into a professional engineer, you will complete 800 hours of work experience in engineering businesses and organisations. These placements typically take place at the end of the second and third years of the degree for three months, from mid-November until the end of February.
By the end of your fourth year, you will have also worked in groups to complete a major research and design project with potential for commercial application – like the pine tree seed planter designed and built in collaboration with tree improvement and treestock production business ArborGen Australasia. You will showcase your project at the end of year Waikato Engineering Design Show – an expo-style event open to industry and the public.
Why are work placements important?
Placements allow you to gain essential work experience in an engineering business. This experience often includes learning about specialised practices for industry, while also providing you time to develop critical professional skills and improve employability.Tasting what it's like to work in a specific field and company also helps to inform you about the key decision of where to start your career.
What is unique about work placements at Waikato?
At Waikato, we believe in creating work-ready graduates, and so much of this depends on successful work placements. That is why we have a dedicated team of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) coordinators, who connect you with industry, assist you with developing CVs and Cover letters, help you find the right placement, and support you while on placement. No other NZ university offers such comprehensive assistance.
Where do our students go for work placements?
We employ Waikato Graduates because of their ability to perform multi-disciplinary research & development in a commercial environment.
Andrew Dawson (PhD, BSc Hons)
Chief Operating Officer, Robotics Plus.