How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham? Did you need to take additional training on top of your degree?
No, I think taking the plunge and getting ‘real-world’ experience after graduating is what I needed. I started in a small tech-startup as a technical consultant. Not having a tech background, there was a lot to learn, but starting in a smaller business really enabled me to learn and develop. Industry knowledge is only so limited, I really had to experience it to start my journey. Two years later, I then had the learnings and tools for my current job.
What skills from your degree do you think you use most in your current job?
Problem solving. This was the best part of the course and what has helped me the most throughout my career. Being able to: organise, work in teams, meet deadlines, think creatively around solutions, work within parameters and project manage are but some of where problem solving is integral to my day job and I wouldn’t be nearly as good at it if I hadn’t done my degree.
I also think the skill of self-learning and being self-driven is something I learnt to value through my degree and what has spurred me onwards in my career; tech is constantly evolving, so I have to keep up.
How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham? Did you need to take additional training on top of your degree?
No, I think taking the plunge and getting ‘real-world’ experience after graduating is what I needed. I started in a small tech-startup as a technical consultant. Not having a tech background, there was a lot to learn, but starting in a smaller business really enabled me to learn and develop. Industry knowledge is only so limited, I really had to experience it to start my journey. Two years later, I then had the learnings and tools for my current job.
What advice would you give to current and prospective students looking to work in your sector?
That where you work after university isn’t bound by your degree. I loved my degree, but I realised late that a lot of the ‘typical’ Chemical Engineering career routes weren’t for me and that turned out fine, you just go for it and view your degree at the angle of your desired sector – take modules more akin to your sector, for example. And if you don’t know where you want to end up then make sure to do industry days and ask questions to those that are in different sectors – I wouldn’t just ‘settle’ for the most obvious choice.
What would you recommend students should do at university, over and above their academic study, to make them more employable in the graduate market?
Just get involved. Get experience and experiment with what you like, whether that’s different modules or sports or societies – you won’t know until you try – and just by having those varied experiences to draw upon, you’re already more employable.
What are your fondest memories of the University and what would you say to anyone currently considering studying at Birmingham?
The day-to-day small things of being so close to all my friends and being on a pretty campus, studying in the library and going on a run together after. There was so much to do and see, but the small things add up. I would say that you’ll find your space and sliver of you wherever you end up in university.
What extracurricular activities did you get involved in as a student?
I wish I had done more extracurricular, but I did enough for me. Running club was great as a balance between social and active whilst being a cheap sport to get into. The Chemical Engineering Society was also good fun and lots of memorable socials. I also continued my Mandarin studies alongside Chemical Engineering after taking it as part of the Widening Horizons module which I really enjoyed and grateful to have had the chance to do it.
Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?
It just felt right to me. I loved the campus and the department and that was enough for me.