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There are plenty of like-minded individuals within the IET Women's Network that may be able to help you with a query so, feel free to add to this thread.
This is a great question that I am sure many graduates are facing now.
I can answer by giving my personal experience.
My first job after graduating was in the local electricity distribution company where I benefited greatly in the piratical sense. The department in which I worked was responsible for managing the existing system (maintenance, construction, testing, re-routing power in shutdowns, etc). However, there was not much focus on actual design (although it was recommended that these analyses be performed to validate the physical work) it became more of a case of managing an existing system and there was another department charged with actual design (line routes, line loadings, transformer sizing, grounding mat design, etc). Basically I understood the design component but gained the practical approach, whereas those who may have been only involved in design may not have had the exposure to the practical aspect of day-to-day operations and the problems that occur.
I then switched to doing design later on (in another field: automation) and although it was a learning curve, the practical experience was a great benefit when required to design for an actual case as I understood typical problems what one would face in the field.
My suggestion is to take the practical experience for the summer and then with that knowledge you will have a better appreciation in the design environment.
Of course, if the consulting company is also allowing you to gain practical experience on the construction site then you can weigh this option. However, in my experience, the culture and demands of the consulting company are different to those who are on site every day.
This is a great question that I am sure many graduates are facing now.
I can answer by giving my personal experience.
My first job after graduating was in the local electricity distribution company where I benefited greatly in the piratical sense. The department in which I worked was responsible for managing the existing system (maintenance, construction, testing, re-routing power in shutdowns, etc). However, there was not much focus on actual design (although it was recommended that these analyses be performed to validate the physical work) it became more of a case of managing an existing system and there was another department charged with actual design (line routes, line loadings, transformer sizing, grounding mat design, etc). Basically I understood the design component but gained the practical approach, whereas those who may have been only involved in design may not have had the exposure to the practical aspect of day-to-day operations and the problems that occur.
I then switched to doing design later on (in another field: automation) and although it was a learning curve, the practical experience was a great benefit when required to design for an actual case as I understood typical problems what one would face in the field.
My suggestion is to take the practical experience for the summer and then with that knowledge you will have a better appreciation in the design environment.
Of course, if the consulting company is also allowing you to gain practical experience on the construction site then you can weigh this option. However, in my experience, the culture and demands of the consulting company are different to those who are on site every day.
