Eleanor Krayenbrink on placement
On placement… AGCO engineering intern
Placement employers often tell us that Harper Adams students are an asset to their business – they bring knowledge, enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in from day one. Eleanor Krayenbrink is such a student and has been rewarded with a year of work experience that has been exciting, given her new skills and a good salary, and the chance to use her initiative.
“I have been given incredible opportunities from studying at Harper Adams,” says the 21-year-old from Kent, “for instance acquiring my placement at AGCO.”
The company is a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery, with five main brands: Challenger, Fendt, GSI, Massey Ferguson and Valtra. It offers placements in technical services, sales and marketing.
Ellie says: “I was determined to come to Harper Adams and the placement year was an added extra which made the university all the more appealing.
“I chose my course because I felt that it was the one that suited me best because of its content. It had elements of both Agriculture and Engineering moulded into one. I also felt that it held a feasible future. Farming keeps developing its technology use and machinery. It was ideal.”
Ellie got involved with lots of different work with AGCO, including representing the company at public relations events, being a ‘Young Farmer with a voice’ in the Massey Ferguson New Generation initiative, assisting in photo shoots of new products about to be launched, and helping the audio visual team with time sensitive projects major international shows such as SIMA 2013.
“It essentially gives a whole year’s worth of work experience which other people going for the same job will not necessarily have. Placement has made me even more determined to achieve a high standard of degree, and given me a broader horizon of where my career could lead and how I can achieve this.
“The confidence that I have been able to build within the commercial environment has been fantastic. I’ve really been made to feel part of the team. My manager and my mentor were continuously supportive, helpful and genuinely interested about what and who I was.”
Ellie adds: “The teaching and staff support at Harper Adams is of the highest grade. They are continuously willing to help, never too busy, work incredibly hard and care about what they do as well as about the students.”
Women in engineering
Engineering is not about workshops full of men in boiler suits: “The job is all about design, creativity and innovation,” says Yewande Akinola, winner of the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year award 2012. According to a report in The Guardian (26/04/13): “By 2016, Britain will need to train 96,300 new engineers and scientists just to replace those who retire. Boosting the number of women working as engineers will play a huge part in changing this. Increasing industry emphasis on collaborative working and communication skills, alongside core engineering know-how, means women bring a powerful mix to the table.”
For advice on promoting female talent in science, engineering and technology from classroom to boardroom see www.wisecampaign.org.uk
AGCO
Ellie spent an enjoyable and successful placement year with AGCO. The company is a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery. AGCO supports more productive farming through a full line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment, tillage, implements, grain storage and protein production systems, as well as related replacement parts.
AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra® and are distributed globally through 3,150 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. Retail financing is available through AGCO Finance for qualified purchasers.
The company offers a wide range of careers in a supportive and creative environment. It says: “Making a difference. That’s what a career at AGCO is all about. At AGCO you have a voice and the opportunity to impact our long-term success, as well as your own. As a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and infrastructure, we are always seeking highly engaged people who are passionate about our products, brands and what we do. Join AGCO and become part of a diverse team and grow your career in a way that fits you.”
