'A wonderful opportunity to build my experience' - Gaailashwaran's placement year

Why did you decide to do an Industrial Placement Year?

I believe that the knowledge and theory that you obtain from your undergraduate studies can be reinforced properly when you are exposed to an atmosphere where these components can be well applied. Therefore, I chose to do a placement year to learn new skills from interacting with many creative and intelligent minds in the chemical engineering industry, and saw it as a wonderful opportunity to build my experience.

What did you gain from your placement?

During my placement at Air Products, I honed diverse skills. My interactions with on-site professionals bolstered my communication skills, while using tools like ASPEN and Visio strengthened my IT expertise. Team collaborations refined my teamwork and interpersonal abilities. Carrying out calculations for process equipment design strengthened my problem-solving skills.

What was the application process for your placement? 

Initially I found the job post on Gradcracker. I then filled in a form and attached my CV and cover letter as part of the initial application process. This was followed up by a telephone interview in which I was asked about why I wanted to join the company and some background knowledge of the company. After I passed this stage I was invited to a Zoom interview where I had to carry out a short presentation about myself and the skills I had to offer, and was later tested on my technical knowledge.

Did you access any help from the Engineering Placements team when finding and applying for your placement?

The Engineering Placements team were very useful in emailing every week about new placement/job posts, and without whom I would not have found the placement that I got selected for! They were very supportive with helping me improve my CV and cover letter through appointments. They provided a lot information about new job opportunities, which encouraged me to delve through the internet and apply to various placement opportunities until I got one.

What did your placement involve?

I had the privilege of integrating into Air Products' Air Separation Product Line, specifically within the GEMTE division based in Hersham. At the heart of my role was the process design of cryogenic distillation, a sophisticated method used to separate air into its individual components, resulting in industrial gases ready for sale. Key activities under my purview included:

• Preparing duty specifications for processes and associated equipment
• Creating schedules of line sizes, instruments, and valves
• Providing duty cases and flows for relief device sizing, ensuring accurate inlet and outlet parameters
• Crafting and reviewing PFDs and P&ID change notes, capturing changes and enhancements
• Developing and refining calculation tools vital for streamlined process design.

What did you enjoy most about your placement year?

During my placement year, I was immersed in an environment rich in learning, collaboration, and shared ambitions. What I treasured most was the chance to work alongside likeminded individuals, with whom I shared the same values and aspirations. Every day presented an opportunity to bolster my engineering acumen, delving deeper into the intricacies and nuances that textbooks alone couldn't provide. Beyond the technical knowledge, I was equally enriched by the narratives and experiences shared by the seasoned professionals in the chemical engineering sector. Their journeys, filled with challenges, innovations, and triumphs, instilled in me a profound respect for the field and an eager anticipation for my own future within it. This year was not just about honing my skills, it was about building connections, understanding diverse perspectives, and cementing my passion for chemical engineering.