Nordson - Electronics Design Engineer

UoN was my home for four years and the staff cared about me and wanted me to succeed. It wasn't just a case of getting my degree. People took the time to understand what was going on with me – my personal as well as academic needs.

 

Why did you want to study Electronic Engineering?

Growing up, I had no idea what career I’d want to pursue. I was good at science and maths and enjoyed practical work much more than theory – so some sort of engineering was what I expected to be doing, but nothing could hold my attention long enough. That is, until one day in physics class the topic of electronics was introduced, and something just clicked.

I knew that the University of Nottingham had a good reputation for Electrical and Electronic Engineering and I got advice from the admissions team about my qualifications from the Hungarian education system and was delighted to get an offer. 
 

Did you do an industry placement?

My course was very practical and filled with opportunities to go on industry visits or hear from industry experts. My final year included working with SurePulse. 

I secured a Computer Simulation Technology (CST) internship that the Department for Electrical Engineering had advertised. This led to a scholarship from UKESF to do a summer internship at vivaMOS. I experienced tonnes of different areas, including IC (integrated circuit) design, PCB (printed circuit boards), firmware and software. This company has since been acquired by Nordson. Both internships allowed me to exercise skills learnt at university and get my foot in the door, so to speak.
 

Where do you work now?

After university, I returned to Nordson – an international manufacturing company - as a Graduate Electronics Engineer. Then after two years I became an Electronics Design Engineer.  The best thing about being in electronics is how wide the range of opportunities are. Electronics is everywhere; if you’re passionate about something, there’s a way to get involved using electronics. Engineering is about making a difference and making the world a better place, electronics is a huge part of that.
 

What's your favourite thing about your job?

It’s never boring; there’s something new happening every day, new problems to solve and new challenges to overcome. I’m a generalist that can get involved in many different areas. For example, the main product I’m working on is x-ray detectors – from testing to firmware for data processing (how raw pixel data from the camera becomes an image on a computer screen). These detectors are routinely used in quality control for manufacturing, for everything from electronic devices such as phones to food. 
 

How did your time at univeristy help shape your career?

My experience at the University of Nottingham allowed me to expand my network and opportunities. It enabled me to secure a job at a respected and influential company and explore the industry further. I received all the support I needed at Nottingham - the staff cared about me and willed me to succeed. It wasn’t just a case of getting my degree, people took time to understand what was going on with me both personally and academically. There’s no student hierarchy here - everyone is kind and interested in the same thing. I’ve stayed in contact with all the friends I made here.
 

What has your UoN experience meant to you?

UoN has changed my life – it's been a truly great experience. The community is amazing here and I felt I fitted in from day one.  
 

What did you enjoy about your social time here?

I loved University Park campus and going for runs around it. I was part of the Creative Writing Society, which was super welcoming and a great way to explore my interest in writing without doing a degree.  
 

What advice would you give to future electronics students?

Go for it! It was the best decision I made at that age, I very much enjoyed my time here. Say yes to all sorts of opportunities, even if it seems scary - you never know what will come out of it.