Benjamin Brewster (American industrialist, and one of the original trustees of Standard Oil) once said: “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is”. As an engineering student, you spend countless hours learning and memorising formulas, understanding governing equations and theories of engineering design, and trying to imagine how the world change and improve using the toolkit created by your university degree. However, there is no better teacher than being thrown into the deep end of practical experience and learning how the knowledge and skills you have learnt apply in the real world. My placement at EDC so far is a prime example of how practical, hands-on experience, as well as how a collaborative, ambitious, people-centric culture, play a critical role in building confidence and competency in any engineer.
I am a fourth year Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering student at Trinity College Dublin and I am currently completing my six-month Industrial Internship module with EDC. Over the past four years, I have been exposed to various aspects of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering within my degree, ranging from Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics to Computer Aided Design to Multibody Dynamics and Engineering Materials. These modules have highlighted the wide range of opportunities to which Mechanical Engineering can be applied, but it also has helped me to grasp its importance in everyday life and a broad range of industries. However, most of the work I have conducted throughout my degree has been theoretically based. Hence, I was delighted when I had the opportunity to complete my placement at EDC and have a first-hand experience of how Mechanical Engineering is applied to the MEP industry.
Over the past two months at EDC, I have expanded both my theoretical understanding and technical skill sets by completing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training and through mentorship from various engineers and members of the company. This growth has been shaped by EDC’s People Experience Promise, Engineering Excellence, Together, particularly through Pillar 2: Shoot for the Stars. This pillar is centred on continuous learning, encouraging individuals to push beyond their current capabilities and invest in their professional development.
When I first arrived at EDC, I was introduced and became well acquainted with the company’s LMS Absorb software where I completed my mandatory training, as well as additional Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules. This platform and training helped me quickly develop insight into the numerous acronyms, standards and references used in EDC and the industry, as well as familiarise myself with the various components of MEP design in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. By analysing and discussing various forms of equipment such as Heat Interface Units (HIUs), introducing sustainable design principles and certifications such as PassivHaus and Home Performance Index (HPI), and outlining the key requirements of CIBSE, Irish and European standards, LMS Absorb has supported and enabled me to build a foundation of knowledge that has allowed me to confidently complete tasks within projects.
Since completing my training, I contributed and worked on various live residential and commercial projects within the Dublin Office. This is where I have been able to build my technical competency and knowledge, as well as see the real-world application of project management and general engineering design principles. These tasks range from creating schematics and markups, to calculating key design factors such as heating loads, pressure drops across domestic hot water networks, and required ventilation air changes, to analysing and selecting appropriate mechanical equipment. Completing these deliverables while ensuring that any designs and calculation outputs meet national regulation and industry-standard requirements has allowed me to gain a first experience of the day-to-day work of a Mechanical Engineer in the MEP industry. Furthermore, by being a member of project design teams and by engaging with fellow EDC colleagues, I have gained experience and confidence while seeing the importance of collaboration and clear communication.
In addition to learning and applying mechanical technical skills, I have been able to explore other aspects of the company such as Energy and Sustainability and additionally learn and apply new skills and software such as AutoCAD and Revit. This has allowed me to identify the intersectionality of sustainability and mechanical design, as well as how tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) can help clearly and efficiently communicate ideas and concepts to clients and other stakeholders. Had it not been for EDC’s progressive and proactive approach, as well as the willingness of the company’s employees to help me learn and grow, I would not have the understanding of the industry that I have now.
Furthermore, I have been able to connect and learn from members of EDC across the numerous disciplines, most notably at this year’s Engineering Excellence Weekend in Inis Mór. Over a weekend filled with thought-provoking conversations and activities with the perfect blend of laughs and light competition, I was able to meet and engage with the wider EDC community and truly understand the core values of the business. Not only did I get to hear the stories and experiences of the MEP industry across the various offices, but I also got to see first-hand the importance of building a community within a business. Through connection and collaboration, companies such as EDC are able to drive forward into the future with a strong foundation and collective attitude to inspire, succeed and grow. Not only is this an invaluable quality as a business to possess, but it is also a key factor in creating an environment in which placement students such as myself can grow into real engineers.
My time at EDC so far has taught numerous lessons that I will apply throughout my professional career. However, there is one lesson that I have found to be of the most value so far. This lesson is the importance of asking questions and identifying opportunities for growth and development outside of your comfort zone. While this may initially seem intimidating, this is where you build relationships with your team, expand your knowledge and skill set, and explore various concepts and ideas. This creates a sense of collaboration and connection between yourself and those around you, as well as allows you to approach tasks from various perspectives, helping you identify different ways and methods of creating designs and solving problems.
My placement at EDC has enabled me to grow in so many aspects that I did not think possible. Not only have expanded and strengthened my technical abilities, but I have also grown in confidence as an engineer. I can now positively agree with Brewster that with the practical experience that I have gained at EDC, I can now apply the knowledge I have learnt in a meaningful and impactful way. I look forward to continuing to build on these lessons and applying them in my final year and future career.