Alessandra, a Mechanical Engineering graduate, tells us about her experience as a female engineer working in the industry and how she adds perspective and value to any team, as well as how useful she found her course.
What course did you study and what is your current job role?
I studied Mechanical Engineering with an industrial placement year. My current job role is a Hardware and Mechatronics Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover.
Tell us about your time on the course – what did you enjoy? How did you find the experience?
My time studying Engineering at BCU was really rewarding. I particularly enjoyed my first year; I loved learning a range of engineering disciplines, from electrical to automotive. This exposure allowed me to identify my preferred area of specialisation and although I ultimately focused on Mechanical Engineering, the knowledge gained from the initial electrical engineering modules continues to be valuable in my current work.
My other highlight of the course was my second year, which was the integrated engineering project. This collaborative module involved a team of students from various engineering backgrounds tackling a real-world engineering problem. The project presented technical challenges, but the experience of collaborating with diverse individuals and learning from their perspectives significantly enhanced both my engineering and communication skills. This project became a central talking point in every graduate interview I attended.
How has your degree helped you obtain your current role?
The diverse range of projects I undertook during my degree, including both individual and team-based projects, provided me with invaluable experience in various team roles and significantly enhanced my personal skillset. I felt well-prepared to share my range of experiences from university in job interviews, and discuss the valuable skills I developed through these projects.
Having to stick to academic deadlines has proven highly beneficial in my current role. It has given me excellent time management skills, allowing me to effectively prioritise and manage multiple projects at once.
A significant factor in obtaining my current role is the support and guidance provided by the faculty and lecturers throughout my degree. They consistently challenged me to excel and produce high-quality work. During my placement year, I experienced a significant transition from the university environment. However, the consistent support and regular communication from the staff provided me with reassurance and made the experience much smoother.
Mechanical Engineering at BCU
Find out more about our Mechanical Engineering course
How does it feel to be a female working in the engineering industry? Have you noticed any particular differences?
I believe that being a female engineer brings a different perspective to a team, which can bring valuable insights and innovative ideas to projects, benefiting both myself and the team.
I am driven by a desire to demonstrate my capabilities as a female engineer, and I often find I’m pushing myself and striving for continuous improvement. This approach has enabled me to develop a strong set of technical skills, and I have already started working towards professional accreditation.
Did you get any experience working with industry partners or live briefs during your time at university?
During my studies, I completed an industrial placement year at Cummins as a Performance Simulation Engineer. Throughout my second year, the faculty continually informed of us of a wide range of work experience opportunities. When I identified a suitable placement at Cummins, my lecturers provided invaluable support throughout the application process. I particularly benefited from the career team's mock interview sessions. These sessions effectively prepared me for interview scenarios, instilling me with confidence and ensured I was well-prepared.
Do you have any advice for aspiring female engineers?
Get involved as much as you can! Whether this is paid or voluntary experience, or a group project; gaining experience early really helped me to decide what career within engineering I wanted to do and motivated me throughout my degree. It’s a really enjoyable career so take every challenge and learning opportunity within your stride.