After completing my placement year, I felt much more confident going into my final year of studies and it helped me to identify the area of engineering I wish to pursue after graduation. After working as a Surface Designer, I realised that this is the field I want to focus on after University. I enjoy the fast-paced nature of the industry and the challenge of designing within a set of technical regulations.
This placement opportunity allowed me to gain valuable industry insights and further develop my technical skills in Engineering Design. My role also required a solid understanding of Siemens NX, a CAD software. The modules I completed in my first and second year, which included both taught content and projects using Siemens NX, played a crucial role in enhancing my proficiency with the software. Without these modules, my understanding of industry tools wouldn't have been as strong and the learning curve would have been much steeper.
The biggest takeaway from my placement experience was the importance of teamwork, especially in a field like F1. Throughout this opportunity I refined my soft skills by learning how to communicate effectively, how to plan, organise and problem-solve (as I observed the process of how problems are tackled, broken down and resolved), as well as how to work as part of a cohesive unit. These skills will undoubtedly benefit me in my future career and have already proven invaluable in my final year project.
My final year project required me to define my own objectives, break them down into key deliverables, and manage my time effectively to ensure they were completed on schedule and to a high standard. The Wolfson School of Engineering offered the opportunity to create my Individual Project in collaboration with my placement company, allowing me to further develop the technical skills I gained during my placement.
