I have seen great development both in my personal and professional life

What made you decide to study at the University of Sheffield?

I chose to do the course at Sheffield because of the higher astrophysics content compared to other universities. I came on an open day and an offer holder day, and each time my family and I commented on how much we liked the city, with its blend between city life and that small town life I had grown up with, and having the Peak District so close by was a great added bonus.

What have you enjoyed most about your course so far?

Honestly, I have enjoyed the opportunity to make friends who I still keep in regular contact with. From an academic point of view, I've always enjoyed learning and so the whole vibe of being taught cutting-edge physics topics has been great.

What did you do for your placement year?

I was a Product Development Intern for Solar Botanic Trees Ltd. My main role was developing a unique simulation in Python to model the performance of a complex solar PV system. In addition to this, I gained business experience through things like market research and presenting my findings to company executives.

What were the best things about your placement?

The vast array of experience opportunities I had allowed me to develop an understanding of what I do and don't want to aim for when it comes to a career path. In the past 12 months, I have seen great development both in my personal and professional life including increased confidence, physical and mental health, and a greater attitude and outlook to my studies and life in general.

What would you say to a student thinking about studying your course at Sheffield?

Sheffield has a strong focus on astrophysics, so if you're into that it's a no-brainer - with the opportunity to go to La Palma. For me, however, I'm interested in the physics of semiconductors and devices - a big change from what made me originally apply to Sheffield but an area of research that the School is heavily involved in. If a lecturer is passionate about what they do, you'll come to enjoy it as well, as it makes the learning process much easier.