This page gives career information of relevance to Imperial Mechanical Engineering students.
You can find out how the Careers Service supports Imperial students on our Services for students webpage, explore our What's on webpage for career events, book an appointment and sign up for our weekly newsletter, sent every Thursday by checking the relevant box on your personal profile on JobsLive. Whatever stage you are at with your studies, we’re here to help, from first year undergraduates right through to PhD studies – you don’t even have to know what you want to do to make use of our services!
What can you do with Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering graduates have a wide range of career options. Some choose to continue using their engineering knowledge in their career, and others choose to change direction after graduation. Around 10% of Imperial Mechanical Engineering graduates choose to do further study and around 80% go into employment at the end of their first degree. View our What do Imperial graduates do? webpage for examples of the employers and further study options chosen by previous graduates of your course. Do not feel limited to what you see there as there are many other options open to you.
Mechanical engineering tabs
The typical skills developed by Imperial Mechanical Engineering students during their degree are highly valued by employers and include:
- Problem-solving
- Analysis
- Project management
- Teamwork
- Communication skills
- Ability to learn fast
- Working under pressure
It’s good to reflect on your abilities and consider what skills you can evidence and which skills you may need to enhance. Use our Self reflection webpages to help you understand and document your abilities.
During your degree you will have many opportunities to develop and learn new skills. Employers will want to see what you have been doing to develop your skills and knowledge outside your course while you have been a student. Experiences such as student societies, part-time work, volunteering and sports can develop your skills and will be valuable additions to your CV. Work experience can also help develop skills and help you decide what career direction you want to go in and may aid in future job or further study applications.
As an Imperial student you can participate, or take a leadership role, in a wide variety of Students’ Union activities where you’ll develop many skills. You also have free access to LinkedIn Learning and can use this to develop or improve your knowledge and abilities with software tools and skills through instructional videos taught by industry experts skills.
You can learn and develop the skills required to be successful in the job or internship market. For example, you will need to know how to create a strong CV, write a good cover letter and perform well in interviews. We can help you to learn these skills. Start with the Applications and interviews section of our website, and by attending our skills training and workshops.