I've learned so much in such a short space of time

Why did you decide to do a year in industry?

I decided to undertake a software engineering placement that would give me a taste of working in a software based career and whether I can see myself pursuing a Masters in it.

How did you find your year in industry opportunity?

I found it advertised on Ratemyplacement, a well known website which hosts hundreds of placements each year.

Tell us about project(s) which you have been most involved with whilst on year in industry?

I am a member of the bootloader team which is responsible for the code that runs before any operating system runs. The project I have been most involved in for the last five months is the automated test project I have been working on. The project is about creating automated tests that will test the driver on the STB (set top box) to see if they're working efficiently. 

What do you like about the company you have done your year in industry with?

It's a really diverse company so you have people from different parts of the world working together. The working environment is comfortable, so if I have any questions people are happy to help or to teach you something. I also like that I can see the development of products I have used throughout my life.

What has been the most challenging aspect to undertake a year in industry?

In the beginning I found the work intimidating because I felt that I should instantly understand everything; without realising the whole point of my year in industry is to learn how my degree is applied. I also found working eight hours a day difficult because I never really had a set routine at University.

What has been your favourite part of completing a year in industry?

The work I have been undertaking, because I’ve been able to learn so much in such a short time. It’s shown me the things I enjoy doing and those I don’t enjoy, which will help with my future plans.e.

Which part of your degree has helped you with undertaking a year in industry the most?

The biggest contribution is the coding modules, which gave me the foundation I needed. I also understood how the engineering principles are applicable to being a professional engineer. The experience I gained from participating in Engineering You're Hired and the Global Engineering Challenge was also very valuable.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

I hope to pursue my masters in software engineering followed by a career in a software-based area such as software development or software engineering.