For this week’s article, Rachel Hogg, a final year Medical Engineering student tells us about her Summer Experience placement last year (which is good timing, as we are currently looking for students for this year’s programme)…
I was offered two summer experience placements, one at IMI Precision Engineering in Leeds and the other at Gluco Technology Ltd. in Bradford. I decided to spend my six week placement at Gluco Technology as I had no previous experience of working in a small company and I was able to get hands on with the product.
There were a few initial hiccups with the placement as the company had only just moved back to Bradford so there were some teething issues but these were quickly resolved. I spend the first two weeks in the library researching Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) technology and polymers which had not been covered as part of my degree.
I was able to apply my knowledge gained in the library to renovating the RIM machine at Gluco Technology Ltd. Working with another student on the summer experience programme we were able to dismantle and clean the machine in order for it to be used for future contracts, in addition we could understand how the machine worked and how the machine could be modernised and improved. These findings were presented to the company directors.
By completing the Summer Experience programme I have developed my team working, practical and research skills. I really enjoyed getting hands on with the RIM machine in my overalls and having the freedom to make decisions on how the project is progressing.
At the time of writing this blog, I have secured a position on the IMI Precision Engineering Graduate Scheme starting in September; this is as a result of being encouraged to apply by the team from IMI Precision Engineering at the awards evening following the Summer Experience Programme.
I would recommend taking part in the Summer Experience programme as it gives you an insight into the world of work and very often you are given responsibility for your own projects so get out of it as much as you put in. The skills from the programme can be applied to both your degree and career prospects in the future and unlike an Industrial Placement you don’t have to take any time out of your degree.
If you’d like to get involved or find out more, check out the Summer Experience page here (including all the current vacancies plus more student stories), you can email us, or call us on 01274 234991 and ask for Urfan Faqir.