Simon Fisher
Name: Simon
From: The Wirral
Degree: MComp Computer Science
Status: Simon was interviewed at the end of his fourth year
Why did you choose to study at Sheffield?
There were several reasons. The reputation of the University itself was a big selling point, as was that of the Computer Science department and its courses. I´d visited friends here before and knew that I liked the city and the nightlife.
You chose some fourth year Advanced Research Topics. Can you tell me about one of these?
The most interesting ART used the department´s Virtual Reality facility. My assignment involved making a virtual coconut shy using Open GL graphics library. You can interact with the graphics once they´re projected onto a large screen, for example, using gloves with movement sensors, 3D goggles, and a hand held trigger guns used to aim the balls at the coconut shy. The VR lab is an advanced piece of technology worth millions of pounds so it´s great to be able to use it as an undergraduate. ART modules change from year to year because they are based around what is currently being developed in that particular field. It gives you a great opportunity to work with the newest possible technology.
What else have you done at University, apart from studying?
I´ve worked in the Students´ Union as a bouncer, and played prop for the rugby team. I also took part in `Bummit to Budapest´ which is a sponsored hitchhike organised by the Student´s Union. The idea is for teams of 3 to get from Sheffield to Budapest as cheaply as possible in a week. You´re given a budget of £15 each, wear Bummit t-shirts and have documents to prove who you are and what you are doing. We arrived in Budapest within 7 days having spent only £7.50 each. Because it´s for charity, most people are very generous, giving you free meals and transport. 120 people took part, raising over £12K which goes to support an orphanage in Romania.
What are you doing after graduation?
I´ll be working for IBM in Technical Sales. I was also offered a job with Lloyds TSB in their leadership programme but chose IBM because of the scope it provides as a global company. Part of their training package sends you to their Global Sales School in Belgium for 6 months, all expenses paid. I started in September 2007.
How did your degree help you secure the position?
Genesys was brilliant when it came to applying for jobs - to be honest it was all interviewers really wanted to talk about. Genesys gives you a lot of experience in real life situations and many job interviews are competency based so you have a huge number of examples to use to demonstrate your strengths in a way you wouldn't have from a standard degree.