Carola
Name: Carola
From: Timisoara, Romania
Degree: Enterprise Computing (IT Management for Business)
Status: Carola was interviewed during her first year
You´re from Romania. How did you choose Sheffield and your course?
English is my most fluent foreign language which is why I chose to study in the UK. I had enjoyed the computing module of my Bacclaureate, but wanted to combine this with management and business, so I was very interested in the Enterprise Computing degree. I hadn´t visited the UK before I started applying to Universities but I did lots of research on the internet and one of my teachers recommended Sheffield.
You´re studying for the new `Enterprise Computing´ degree. Can you tell me a bit more about it?
My degree is half computing and half enterprise, management and business subjects. For our `Enterprise and technology module´ we are currently working on a group project where we have to design and market a gardening tool. We don´t physically have to build it, but we have to design it using a computer based programme, decide on the materials and the costings, and plan a strategy for marketing and selling the product. We´ve also had a `Guru Lecture´ which was by a member of staff from IBM who talked about what they expect from graduates and what they look for in job applicants. Enterprise Computing is a new degree and only available at 13 Universities in the UK. We will all meet up in March to take part in a national competition.
What´s your typical week like?
I have just under 20 hours of teaching a week, made up of lectures and practical classes. We also have small group tutorials every other week, and are allocated a personal tutor. For our Java programming module, we have a weekly assignment to do as homework, which we go through in class the following week. We also have a weekly programming test instead of a final exam. An aspect of the course that I didn´t expect is the fact that we don´t have an exam in every subject. I´m studying 6 subjects this semester and only have exams for three of them. For the others we have either a project to do, or weekly assignments and tests.
What do you do in your spare time?
In intro week there are lots of fairs where you can find out about the activities going on in the Union. I´ve taken up ballroom and Latin dance classes as something fun and new. I´ve also joined AISEC which is a global society for students interested in leadership, management and business issues. It provides opportunities to develop these skills and runs an international exchange programme so you can work abroad. It also organises jobs fairs to meet companies and find out about summer and graduate work.
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
My advice for students who would like to come and study in Sheffield – go for it! The University of Sheffield has so much to offer – from a spectacular social life to interesting degree programs and great job opportunities after you graduate. This University is not only about studying, but about life itself with everything it has to offer.