u/WhimsyVeg

Graduated a year ago BEng and have struggled finding a job related to my degree. I’m wanting to do hands on work, the less time behind a desk the better for me. I’ve been told to look at field service engineering and maintenance engineering roles but don’t seem to find much for graduates in these roles. Also considering retraining as a mechanic or an aircraft mechanic (not sure how to get into this one).

I saw an advert for a “Vehicle and mechanical equipment technician” in the RAF and it got me thinking if the RAF would be a suitable career choice if I’m looking for hands on work opposed to sitting behind a desk being a design engineer.

I’m aware the RAF offer Engineering Officer roles for graduates but from what I read it seems to be very admin and desk oriented and being in charge of people. Not sure this would be for me.

If anyone could shine some light on working in the forces and if you can transfer into the civil world afterwards, that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Looking to buy my own car after driving my mums i20 for the past 5 years.

Looking for something enjoyable that’ll make me look forward to driving. Preferably something with a bit more “umph!” about it than my mums car.
I would like it to be mechanically sound as I’m interested in learning to maintain it myself on my drive.

Would like to do short road trip/camping trips.
Reliable.
Would be keeping for ~5 years.

Have around £5-7000

I’ve always loved MX5s (would look at getting an NC with electric roof), I like Minis, BMWs.

Curious to advice and recommendations, thank you.

I’m 23, driving for 5 years on mums car and am looking at getting a 1998 MX5 NB. It’s the colour I’ve been looking out for and I like the interior. It’s listed at £2500.

To be honest I’m not sure what to look out for as I’ve never bought a car before and the details aren’t very clear.

The car has 140,000 miles on it and I would want to drive it everyday probably putting max 5000 miles a year on it. (Forgive me if this is unrealistic for a 28 year old car, do let me know)

Is it concerning that the description from the seller provided is just:
“Nice and good runner MOT till July 2026, can get full mot”

Any guidance appreciated.

Edit: typo

Recently I’ve been getting into cars and am considering buying my first car/project car. I’m 23 and have been driving my mums car for 5 years Hyundai i10 2013. If I do I’m thinking of getting something like an MX5 as they seem beginner friendly not too expensive. I would like a BMW E46 but apparently they’re not so good for beginners.

I’ve been following a few Instagram accounts who have taken their cars across Europe or the UK, one who went to Morocco in a MX5 NA and 2 others across Europe in an E36 and E46. The idea of maintaining and tending to a car and then doing a camping trip is very appealing to me so I wondered how sensible it would be to do a camping trip in an older car.

A Mazda obviously would be too small for a tent box but what options are there? Or is this wishful thinking?

Apologies for any rambling.

I graduated with a 2:1 last year MechEng and have been working on a production line/workshop for the last 10 months whilst I continue my hunt for a job in engineering. Whilst working in a workshop with my hands I’ve learnt that I would like to work a hands on practical job. I’ve also taken a recent interest in cars and thought of trying to become a mechanic but then thought I’d maybe be wasting my degree and time.

Has anyone got their degree and then gone into working something not particularly engineering but hands on? Plumber, mechanic, electrician, etc?

Thanks for any advice as I’m feeling rather lost of my purpose at the moment.

I’m 23 and recently have started taking an interest in cars. I’ve always driven my mums Hyundai i10 but I’m thinking I want to get into cars and buy my own and have it as a project car.
Where is a good place to start when learning and getting properly into cars?
I suppose the best way of learning is getting hands on and doing so that way.

Maybe my car preferences are considered basic and boring or common but I love modern classics like an MX5, E36/46, MR2 etc. I’d love a Porsche 944 but I expect that to be mega expensive, not that I think any car would be “cheap”.

I’m just trying to find a way into the car world and get my hands dirty. What are your favourite resources for learning?

Discovered the band last night and from Leeds. Would love to check them out.
Thanks