I’ve spent over three years in the manufacturing industry as an operator at Nissan, which I found very tedious, so I came back to Newcastle College University Centre to study a Foundation Degree. Then a did a Top-Up degree here. I’m hoping to get into the energy side of engineering, hence why I picked Electrical and Electronic Engineering for my degree specialism. I completed a Level 3 course at Newcastle College in 2017, went to university elsewhere, then spent three years in manufacturing. However, I felt like I couldn’t achieve as much as I’d like if I’d stayed and worked up the career ladder, so I came back to complete an engineering degree and hopefully improve my career path.  

I felt as though I’d get more support at Newcastle College University Centre, since I was out of academia for so long, I felt like I needed a bit more guidance for the transition back, which I knew I could get here. Thankfully, that support came on a one-to-one basis, so my academic and professional guidance was much more personal and I got to know my lecturers, who are much friendlier and willing to help you to grow, unlike in my previous university experience, where I could speak to my lecturers but never get to know them

I wanted to do a degree in electrical engineering, so the Electrical and Electronic Engineering course here seemed like a clear winner. While the modules taught are fairly similar to other universities, the content is guided by what industry employers need now, which gives the course here a bit more of an edge. Now that we’ve received lots more funding for equipment, the Engineering department has introduced robotics equipment, which has made studying the practical skills much more interesting since I’m actually using tools that manufacturers use. I know from experience that’s what the engineers use to weld car parts and help with manual labour at the Nissan factory in Sunderland, so it’s the same principles on a much smaller scale; by introducing the practical side to this course, rather than just theory due to lack of relevant equipment, I feel my studies have become a lot better. 

I’d definitely say the small class sizes are a big benefit. You’re more likely to ask questions in smaller classes than in bigger lecture halls, and you’re more likely to learn more due to personalised attention from your lecturers and tutors, so you get to know the person who’s teaching you, their qualifications and their interests, which can be really helpful when you’re looking to build a network of industry contacts going into your chosen field in the engineering sector. The Library also provides all the reading materials set as resources for assignments, but if they aren’t you can request the Library staff order them in, so they can cater to your specific course. 

While facilities across the campus are decent, the best piece of equipment for me by far is the robot in the CAD suite in the Rutherford Building. The software is good, since we’ve got Solid Works, MultiSIM and other programs that will help us to manage any electronics or robotics we use, which has been a big improvement on my first year on this course, before the equipment investment, when we didn’t have quite as many opportunities for practical learning on campus.  

The maths, I’ve got to say! There’s a lot of problem solving, and at the moment I’m really enjoying using the robots since it requires a more challenging kind of logical thinking. I also enjoy chatting with my lecturers and the wider class in lessons and beyond them. I also enjoy the small class sizes, since it means you don’t feel quite as shy when you need to ask a question, and that you’re getting to know everyone, whereas if you’re sitting in a big lecture theatre, you’re less likely to stick your hand up to ask questions. 

Having a career that makes a difference. Enjoying my work matters a lot to me – I don’t want to do a repetitive job that’s the same every day, I want to find a career that challenges me, and I think being an engineer will do that since the field is always evolving so it keeps you on your toes. 

While all my tutors are really knowledgeable about the engineering sector, not all of them have direct industry experience just yet. Although the course itself is guided and developed by what employers need, the teaching styles I’ve had (for the most part) have been quite theory-focused, although we have had some great opportunities for practical training thanks to the robotics equipment in the CAD suites. I would say it’s a good level of teaching where the content taught is always relevant, and if there’s ever anything we don’t understand, our lecturers will always explain more difficult or technical concepts for us. We’ve been taught subjects that can be used in industry, but the direct ways this knowledge will be applied in industry will vary a bit with each employer, depending on (e.g.) which software they use or what type of circuitry they specialise in. That said, I do feel quite prepared for what industry throws my way thanks to what I’ve learnt on my degree. 

My lecturers are so down-to-earth, really nice people who try to help you however they can. They’re all understanding and very patient, and their level of knowledge compared to ours is crazy and very inspiring! On the whole though, while I haven’t had much to do with the staff at Newcastle College University Centre beyond my lecturers, everyone I’ve spoken to has been really friendly and supportive, no matter what I’ve needed them for. 

Oh yeah! My main challenge has been getting back into the flow of full-time education – not studying engineering for so long, you actually forget how to study properly and parts of the theory too, even if you know how it all works in practice. Initially, I applied to study Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering at the University Centre, but I found that course quite difficult so I switched to the Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree course, which is much more up my street. Re-learning that rhythm was certainly difficult, but during my first set of exams I scored quite highly (I got 85% in one of my exams!) which was a massive confidence boost for me, since that made me think that I wasn’t so out of touch with education as I’d feared, which was a great epiphany! 

Beyond my course tutors, I haven’t really used any support staff except for a meeting with the careers support team to look over my CV and suggest some improvements. I took on board some of their points, made some amends, and my resumé is definitely stronger for it. 

Honestly, reaching the end of my degree! I’ve really enjoyed my time here, but I’m glad to have reached the end now, and to have become someone who’s ready to start their career properly. 

I don’t really go out in Newcastle for nights out anymore, but when I used to go out when I was younger, it was an absolutely class place to be, not going to lie! There’s definitely a bit of something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, a quiet café, a fancy meal or something more cultural – you won’t miss out. 

I think having a full degree from Newcastle College University Centre will help me get my foot in the door with my dream employers in the engineering industry. With the support of my lecturers, I’ve been able to pick up all the knowledge and skills I need for industry, and now that I have a lot of experience using robotics in several different contexts, I feel prepared to go further than someone who doesn’t have that level of experience. If someone wants to enter into professional manufacturing, employers often use robots and automation to manage heavy lifting and sawing, and I know that I can handle equipment of that scale and technicality now, which will definitely help me to establish myself in my future career. 

I’m graduating this July from my Foundation Degree, then my plan is to progress onto my Top-Up degree here at Newcastle College University Centre, unless I get a placement year in industry. I’m interested in potentially studying a Master's Degree after that, depending on if I get the right graduate role for where I want to be professionally. Honestly my plans really depend on my job options over the summer – I could do a top-up course from September, go for a year’s employment experience in industry, then study a Master's Degree, or just enter straight into employment if the right opportunity comes up. At this point, I’m pretty open, but I’m looking forward to where that could take me.

Challenging. Rewarding. Interesting. 

• Start your assignments as early as possible, absolutely! 
• Revise hard 
• Show up to all your lessons 
• Ask questions from your tutors, they’re here to help you. 
• Remember to enjoy yourself and what you’re doing as much as you can.