MSc Materials Science and Engineering, 2023
Graduate Materials Engineer, Mott MacDonald

What were the best things about your course?

The best aspect of my course was the content that I had learned which made my transition from university to my current work (in industry) a lot smoother. For example, in my materials characterisation module I learnt all about different types of material defects and common defects that occur in specific metals. Each metal has different characteristics as they differ depending on many aspects such as the stress, strain and even microscopic differences like the crystal structures. Having this strong foundation was essential for my current job because I was more aware about the behaviour of metals under certain conditions and what types of damage can occur in such conditions. At times I get complex case studies from clients who are unsure about specific types of damage occurring in their materials at their sites. I use my knowledge gained from university to develop a report to help them understand the issue in more depth.

What skills from your degree do you think you use most in your current job?

The skills I use from my degree that translate to my job include non-destructive testing which is a range of different testing methods used to identify defect modes. I use many types of non-destructive testing when I go out on site visits. Another one is analytical skills which I gained from my writing my dissertation and analysing the data used within the results that I get. I use this in my work when I write reports from my site visits, which I send off to contractors.

What are your top tips for securing a job in the United Kingdom or your home country?

My top tip for securing a job in the United Kingdom is consistency! Once you have written a CV and have had it checked by the Careers Network Team, then start applying to jobs daily or a few times a week. It’s important to have a strong CV showcasing all of your related skills to each job, so make a habit of adapting your CV using the job requirements in the requirements section of each job. Also, don’t be worried if you don’t have all the requirements, a lot of employers can be flexible if they see potential in a candidate. Once you have successfully made a strong CV, start adapting it and applying to as many jobs as you can, and very often. If you are rejected then ask the employer for feedback, so you can improve your CV/interview skills (depending on what stage you are at) based on the feedback.  

What advice would you give to current and prospective students looking to work in your sector?

I would advise current and prospective students to focus on the theory that they learn in lectures and really try to understand how to apply non-destructive testing techniques in different applications. This is really important in my field because once you understand how e.g. half-cell testing works by comparing voltage differences between points, it makes the results that you get from testing a lot easier to understand. So if there is an anomaly, you would be able to work out if it is due to an issue with the equipment or if it is an issue with the contact surface. Having a sound theoretical understanding of material science is really important for understanding the nature of work in my sector.

What advice would you give to current students studying on your degree programme?

I would advise current students that are studying my degree programme to take notes during lectures and to always ask questions in seminars. Even if the questions sound ‘silly’ to you, it’s always better to ask in order to have a clear understanding. Ultimately being proactive in all of your lectures and seminars is key to understanding the concepts in Materials Science and Engineering.

What would you recommend students should do at university, over and above their academic study, to make them more employable in the graduate market?

To become more employable in the graduate market you need to have a proactive and positive attitude. Go to Career Fairs, update your LinkedIn profile, go to professional networking events and get your name out there! Speaking to people and learning about the sector I wanted to get into opened up doors that gave me more access into employment in the Materials Engineering sector. Having good grades is important, but making connections is the gateway to employment. Also making sure that you come across as someone that is likeable, and a team player. These factors are what recruiters look for because when you get into Engineering, you will be working with a team. So employers will look at if you can fit in with the team and have a good attitude towards engaging with people.

Did you take advantage of support services offered by the University for example Careers Network and Wellbeing, and if so, what impact did they have on you?

I took advantage of the Careers Network team when I was a student at UoB. I actually went to a careers fair in the Great Hall and connected with many employers (including my current employer). After meeting and connecting with employers from LinkedIn, I applied to various Engineering job roles in their companies. Once I made a tailored CV for each company, I booked a CV tutorial session with the Careers Network Team where they provided me with insightful advice on how to develop my CV; include my LinkedIn link only if I post regularly on LinkedIn, bullet point skills in the skills section, avoid generic introductions starting with ‘I’. As a result of the Careers Teams help, I secured my current job as a Materials Engineer for Mott MacDonald.  

What are your fondest memories of the University and what would you say to anyone currently considering studying at Birmingham?

My fondest memories of studying at University of Birmingham was joining societies. I was part of the Bhangra Society and the Public Speaking Society. I loved engaging in activities after my lectures/seminars to release stress from day. I found that going to society events weekly boosted my mood and allowed me to meet more people who weren’t on my course. I’d always encourage students to join a society, even if they don’t know too much about it. It’s a really good way of making friends, stepping out of your comfort zone and learning a bit more about your likes and dislikes.

What was your favourite things about Birmingham the city? How did it compare to your expectations?

My favourite thing about Birmingham city was going out! There is so much to do in Birmingham. Growing up Muslim means that you cannot go clubbing/go to bars/drink etc, so some may find that limiting but it really isn’t! In Birmingham there are many options that accommodate for Muslims such as going out for halal food, there are lots of popular food spots around the city centre, there is also mini golf, VR, the arcade, cinema, and much more. I expected a lot less from Birmingham because I compared it to London before I moved to Birmingham and thought that because it is a much smaller city, there will be less there. I was wrong however, there are plenty of Muslim-friendly activities in Birmingham.

What extracurricular activities did you get involved in as a student?

In University I was part of the Bhangra Society which was a dance society that did a folk form of Punjabi dancing. It was so fun, high-energy, and very welcoming, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to dance! I was also involved in the Public Speaking Society where I developed my communication and presentation skills. Also, it really helped my confidence which impacted my end of year presentation positively! I also really loved being part of this society, the committee were so friendly and non-judgemental which really helped with my nerves when I did speeches in front of the members of the society.

Please tell us about your experience studying and living away from home.

 Initially, when I moved to Birmingham, I found it really difficult living away from my family because I wasn’t very independent and wasn’t used to living alone. However, as the months went on, I was able to make a good circle of friends and start to engage in extra-curricular activities which kept me busy. This also made me more comfortable with living away, as I was occupied. After completing my Masters I was very used to living away and felt very settled with living alone. As the years passed, I started to enjoy living alone and having my own space.

Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?

I applied to Birmingham because I wanted to study Materials Science and Engineering which is a niche course that was offered in roughly seven universities at the time. University of Birmingham was the one and only university that I had applied for because I really liked the modules available and the equipment that they had in the university which was not available in a lot of the other universities. Also, I did my undergraduate degree in Birmingham and I really enjoyed it.