From Student Advisor to Siemens Star

The Challenge: Landing a coveted internship with a global tech leader like Siemens is a dream for many students. For Bioengineering  student Islay Maclean, the path to this opportunity wasn't just about academic prowess, it was about leveraging the unique resources and experiences offered by the University of Sheffield's and Siemens Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ).

The Solution: The DIZ as a Launchpad

Islay's journey began as a DIZ Student Digital Advisor. "What mainly drew me to the Siemens Intern role was that I had already been working as a DIZ Student Digital Advisor for a year," she explains. This early exposure to cutting-edge technology, including Siemens software, provided a solid foundation. "I already knew a lot of the technology that we used, so I knew that I'd be able to build up my skills over the summer and then be able to teach it when I applied for the role."

But the DIZ wasn't just about technical skills. It was a breeding ground for Islay’s leadership and personal development. "The other thing was also the fact that it’s about developing my soft skills as well, so getting the chance to be a manager, managing thirty student advisors was a role that I wasn't really going to get anywhere else!"

This hands-on experience in managing a team, creating teaching materials, and leading workshops has become invaluable for Islay and her subsequent success as a Siemens Intern.

The Impact: Real-World Experience and Tangible Skills

As a Siemens Intern, Islay is responsible for:

• Teaching Digital Engineering Skills: Delivering workshops on Siemens Solid Edge, covering mechanical and electrical design, simulation, and more.
• Creating Engaging Learning Experiences: Developing materials for both technical workshops and fun, interactive events like Halloween and Christmas 3D printing design sessions.
• Collaborating with Student Societies: Partnering with Women in Engineering Society to host CAD and robotics workshops, expanding the reach of digital skills training.
• Supporting Diverse Learning Needs: Catering to students from various disciplines across the university including sociology and medicine, showcasing the broad applicability of digital tools.

"We have quite a range of students visiting the space and not just engineering students," Islay points out. "Another example was some medical students visited the space to learn about and use the 3D Scanner to create a new graft for a hand!"

Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence

Teaching presented its own set of challenges. "I would say, probably the most challenging aspect of the role is teaching, as you don't really know what level the students who visit the space are at," Islay admits. However, this challenge became an opportunity for growth, honing her ability to simplify complex concepts and create accessible learning experiences.

The DIZ also provided opportunities for personal development. "I’m also improving my technical skills, being certified to work on all different pieces of equipment in DIZ is a great thing to mention on my CV. I’ve been learning how to use the robotic arm too and it’s something that I definitely want to integrate for my final year project as part of my degree."

The Outcome: A Future Forged in Innovation

Islay's experience at the DIZ and her subsequent Siemens internship have been transformative. "Also, just learning all these different soft skills like managing, teamwork, organisational skills, I've got lots of things to help me to use for job interviews and lots of things for my CV. I think being the Siemens Intern and managing the DIZ is definitely going to be helpful for my future."

Being the Siemens Intern and managing the DIZ provided the perfect environment for Islay to:

• Gain practical experience with industry-standard software.
• Develop essential leadership and communication skills.
• Build a strong portfolio of achievements.
• Gain direct employment experience with a global company.

Islay's story is a testament to the power of the Digital Innovation Zone at the University of Sheffield and the long established partnership the university has with Siemens.. It demonstrates how hands-on experience, access to cutting-edge technology, and a supportive learning environment can empower students to achieve their career goals and become future leaders in the digital age.