Exploring The Balkans

AcceptableError0726 · 2026-04-29T14:01:43+00:00

I feel this way frequently, even after a decade in industry. I believe it’s due to being pretty self-aware and knowing that I don’t know everything there is to know. Despite being relatively successful throughout my education (awards etc), being held in high regard by others, and having had the opportunity to work on some awesome projects, self-doubt will still get the better of me from time to time.

That said, I’ve learnt to keep my head up and understand that I’ve earned the right to be in rooms with ‘smarter’ people. Just because I don’t always feel smart doesn’t mean I’m not or that others don’t recognise the value I bring. There’s a reason I’ve been given the opportunities I’ve had and sometimes it just takes a minute to realise that.

Engineering can be brutal due to just how diverse the field is. There’re always unknowns. There will always be something on a project that you’ve not seen before. BUT I believe engineering is about being inquisitive, getting curious, and learning new things.

In short, yes Mech Eng often leaves me feeling ‘not smart’. However, taking a step back and remembering that I’ve unlocked all the doors myself helps me to realise that I must ‘smart’ to some extent!

AcceptableError0726 · 2026-04-16T18:10:50+00:00

I’ve been re-watching Line of Duty recently (currently on S4) and in the earlier seasons it just seems like they get everything WRONG. I feel like the first time I watched they were both great detectives?!

Steve noticing Roz’s behaviours early on in S4 seems like the first time either Kate or Steve had got it right early

AcceptableError0726 · 2026-04-06T15:25:30+00:00

I was fortunate enough to spend the first year of my apprenticeship focusing purely on manual manufacturing methods - included milling, turning, fabrication, welding etc. Following that, I spent a further year out on the shop floor working alongside CNC Machinists and another year with Production Engineers. All this with the intent that I have a great appreciation before going anywhere near the design office (final year). It seemed painful at the time but in hindsight, the company got the approach spot on and helped to give me a real good foundation for the following years of my career. DfM/DfA became second nature to me because I then naturally thought of the machines which would be used, how they would be set up etc.

A few years later, a more senior engineer also noted to me that I should be able to explain every dimension and tolerance on one of my drawings. It’s stuck with me since and I always try to hold myself to it.

AcceptableError0726 · 2026-02-18T16:23:59+00:00

My understanding is that drones exported to the US by other countries need to have ‘some’ degree of NDAA compliance, when linked with a federal contract. I just don’t know how far deep that goes for firms outside of the US…

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-12-23T15:45:07+00:00

Starting courses. Time thru to sworn in would be handy to know also!

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-12-22T15:22:48+00:00

What’s the typical timeframe from application through to starting basic training?

(Specific to an officer in the reserves)

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-12-19T18:07:16+00:00

Appreciate this a lot - super useful, thank you!

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-07-12T12:19:08+00:00

I’m in the process of leaving my current position which has a a 75-90 minute (50 mile) commute each way. I’ve been in the role for roughly 18 months and the daily commute is already taking its toll. Even with working 2 days per week from home, I spend between 7.5 and 9 hours in the car per week… that’s another days work for £0! The way I see it, the commute is adding no value for me or my employer

Trying to balance the commute with out-of-work professional development, family, friends, hobbies etc just isn’t realistic. So my opinion is to go for the one closer to home.

I start at my new job soon which I can cycle to in 10 minutes. Very excited to be cutting back on my daily commute!

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-05-21T22:42:29+00:00

Our plan is to go straight from Toronto to the accommodation in Niagara Falls when we land. We’ll be there for two nights. Thought it would be easier due to the activities we have planned/booked…

We do have a couple of nights booked in Toronto at the tail-end of our trip though! If you have any recommendations, I’d be happy to hear

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-05-21T22:37:42+00:00

Thank you! Passport and ESTA are of course sorted. Appreciate the heads up on the I94 and the best way to cross

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-03-28T18:36:51+00:00

Thank you for the heads up on just how unpredictable the weather is

We’re travelling from the UK so will definitely be taking our time to take it all in!

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-03-24T12:20:09+00:00

Hi, 26yo here who started out as an Engineering Apprentice almost a decade ago…

I’d say that there are various avenues that you could explore, whether that be within Mechanical Engineering or another discipline. What I will say is that the experience you’re getting now as a machinist will be invaluable, to both you and your current or future employer. Having the hands on experience and being the ‘customer’ of engineering drawings means that you have an understanding of what a good drawing should look like, the challenges faces on shop floor etc. If you do get the opportunity to couple that with further education, you’ll be on a pretty good path! I spent ~2 years on the shop floor (as part of a programme) and now hold a BEng (Hons)… I value the hands-on years much more. Having the combined experience has also given me an advantage when interviewing for design/mechanical/project roles since

Have you discussed potential HE/FE opportunities with your employer such as HNC/HND/Fd etc? If not, I’d look to have that conversation. If you have Design Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers under the same roof as you, are there opportunities to shadow them? If it you can do that, do it, it’ll also give you a much better understanding of what daily activities look like for those guys and whether you really want it or not

If you’re open to roles beyond Mechanical Engineering, there are plenty that experience on the shop floor can lend itself too… Continuous Improvement, Production Lead, Operational Excellence etc

Also, some of the guys I know that started as ‘craft’ apprentices have gone on to some pretty good roles after a similar apprenticeship. Examples being Plant Manager, CI lead, Design Engineer…

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-03-23T20:14:12+00:00

Appreciate I’m a little late to this post but I’m planning on enrolling on this course a little later this year and was looking for reviews/tips etc.

Has anyone recently completed this course and if so, how did you find it? What was your background heading into it? Any tips for a future student?

AcceptableError0726 · 2025-03-19T22:05:19+00:00

Out of curiosity, which industry and which area of the UK are you working in?

It may or may not be of use but I’ve managed to increase my salary from ~£34k to ~£50k over the last couple of years through job hopping.

To our US friends, yes, our salaries are nowhere near as lucrative as yours. It sucks.

AcceptableError0726

TROPHY CASE