Specialist Design Engineer at BT

My degree taught me problem solving skills, analytical skills and to have a mindset of asking questions – this is what I’ve used the most.

 

What did you do when you graduated? 

I secured a place on a two-year software graduate programme at BT and worked in Leeds in the global division. I worked with business customers to design bespoke software solutions for contact centres.  

Then, I stayed on at BT afterwards as a Specialist Design Engineer working on technical pre-sales, so not just the bespoke applications but looking at whole contact centres – including chatbots and social media interactions. It’s all about getting the best customer experience, rather than just about the technology itself.  

What's your favourite thing about your job?   

I love the variety that comes from being able to do the technical doing (things like writing code, working through security constraints and testing), but also thinking at a higher level how to reduce costs and improve the customer experience.  

How did your time at university help shape your career?  

My degree taught me problem solving skills, analytical skills and to have a mindset of asking questions – this is what I’ve used the most. Technology is changing all the time so whilst it’s important, you’ll learn different types of technology as time goes on.  

The Careers and Employability Service provide an excellent service. I went to quite a few CV-writing reviews and got some great hints and tips. I now recruit people and shortlist CVs and the advice they gave me is still true today. 

Did you do an industry placement of any kind? 

I did two summer placements which were both advertised by the Department for Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Firstly, as a Software Testing Intern at Computer Simulation Technology (CST) testing and analysing software in order to detect problems to be rectified by developers before being released to customers. Then as a Test Engineer at Imagination Technologies testing drivers on a range of platforms with Linux operating systems before release to ensure customer satisfaction.  

I took a lot from working in a real company environment and it helped me realise importance of testing and the quality of what you’re producing. During these placements I learned a lot about what drives me and how to deal with situations when things don’t work out as expected.  

What was the best thing about your degree? 

I enjoyed the hands-on stuff using labs and putting into practice what I had learnt. It was great to see facilities being upgraded and it felt like a new lease of life when they were. 

The Campus is lovely and the minute I got off the bus on the open day, I saw the lake and greenery and I just knew it was for me. The environment you’re in is as important as the teaching – I felt really relaxed here. Going to university, you’re away from what you’ve always known, so you have to be somewhere that you want to call home.  

What has your UoN experience meant to you?  

My experience at UoN has meant a lot to me and shaped who I am as a person. I was here for five years (doing a Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences course first) and it shaped me from the person I was to the person I am now.  

The best thing about being a student here is the support, the people and the community – it felt like being part of a family. You feel like an adult but with a lovely protective bubble. I was in a department of staff and students that felt really warm. I’ve remained in contact with both staff and students. 

What advice would you give to future Electronic and Computer Engineering students? 

Do it! Don't think that anything is out of your reach.  Sometimes you might hear it’s a hard degree but don’t let that put you off.  If you have a passion for it, you have the support around you to succeed. Look at the industry and the rate it’s going and the lives its changing – it's amazing to be part of it.  

Many people will come out of university with a 2:1 or first degree – you need to stand out. The Nottingham Advantage Award gave me something of extra value to employers, so I’d really recommend it. 

What did you enjoy about your social time here?  

There are lots of societies you can join - I was Treasurer for Massage Society for two years. I also did a variety of paid student ambassador work.