Careers fair helps engineering's bright sparks plan for the future

Leading engineering companies exhibit at Imperial careers fair - News

Thursday 19 October 2006
By Naomi Weston

A selection of the UK's most prestigious engineering companies attended the second annual Imperial Engineering Fair on Wednesday 18 October, which attracting over 1,500 students.

BP, Shell, EDF Energy, ExxonMobil, Atkins, Rolls Royce, Rio Tinto, IBM and ICI, were among the 34 companies exhibiting. Representatives from the various companies were on hand to answer student questions and hand out details of their graduate recruitment schemes and other job opportunities. Details of work placements, summer internships and full time careers were available for all engineering students from all years.

The Fair was organised by the College's Careers Service in collaboration with the Engineering Students' Union. Elspeth Farrar, Director of the Service, explains why it is important to bring students and employers together.

"This is an important opportunity for Imperial students to talk face to face with key engineering companies. It raises awareness amongst first year students through to post-graduates and provides them with the chance to see what is available to them across a range of industries."

Schlumberger, one of the leading oilfield services providers in the world, recruits widely from Imperial, from students with a BSc to professors. James Nileshwar, recruitment and university relations manager for the company, explains:

"We view Imperial as one of our prime recruitment targets and currently 12% of our recruiting in the north sea area comes from the College. The education at Imperial is to a very high standard and the diversity mix here is excellent. Currently people from 140 different nationalities work with us."

The Careers Advisory Service arranges a wide range of recruitment events throughout the year, including employer presentations, drop-in sessions, mock interviews, skills, workshops, careers talks and fairs.