Amongst those graduating is Materials Engineering with Design student Beth Walker-Smith, pictured, who has already secured graduate employment within the industrial department at Pirelli Burton following a successful placement within the company.
Beth’s placement was a first within the industrial department at Pirelli. Working in the area of Industrial Efficiency, Beth identified an expensive hold up in the production process. She recommended a cost-effective solution and presented her recommendations to a panel of Pirelli UK directors.
Beth contributed to a number of additional assignments and was a confident and professional ambassador for the company at various events. She impressed her employers so much they named her the Pirelli UK Placement Student of the Year. She also won the ‘student placement’ category in this year’s Enterprise Awards.
Young mum Lucy Semple will collect her degree certificate this week. Lucy, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, has juggled studying for her Graphic Communication and Illustration degree alongside caring for her seven-year-old daughter.
Speaking about the challenge, she said: “It has been difficult but the University has been really flexible and supportive. The tutors are so friendly – I could just go and speak to them whenever and they were happy to rearrange things when needed.
“It’s given me so much time with my daughter, and I’ve been able to show her that you can do what you want in life.”
Electronic and Electrical Engineering student Matthew Neale is also graduating this week. Matthew is a Development Trust Scholar. Development Trust Scholarships are supported by donations from alumni and friends of the University and enable academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
Matthew commented: “A short while after my application I received an email from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ inviting me to apply for the Development Trust Scholarship, which I was successful in obtaining and very thankful for. Having a financial burden removed has been a real help and removed considerable pressure.
“One of my favourite highlights of my time here at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been attending Donor Day events, where I got to meet donors and thank them for their support.”
Also graduating is Management Sciences student Ben Matthews who has made the most of the extracurricular activities at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ by becoming a Student Ambassador.
Ambassadors are current undergraduate and postgraduate students who represent the University at events such as Open Days and school visits. They provide positive role models for those thinking of University study.
Ben said: “I would say that the ambassador scheme has been a real confidence booster. It has provided opportunities for leadership along with independent and team working, and I have developed communication skills such as public speaking.
“These skills are easily transferred to the workplace and I am sure will stand me in good stead for competency based interviews in the future.”