Sanziana Chiorescu
Where are you undertaking your placement?
Siemens PLC
Why did you choose to study for your degree at Sheffield?
In the process of creating my UCAS application I was researching universities that I thought suitable for me. I came across the University of Sheffield and was overwhelmed with the amount of partnerships with industry and opportunities in both research and industry the university has. While a number of universities around the country have similar partnerships and opportunities, I instantly felt without a doubt that UoS was the perfect fit for me.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Take advantage of any opportunity you are given. Enjoy the introductory labs in the Diamond and build on what you learn there.
Sanziana Chiorescu
Undergraduate student
What aspects of the degree do you enjoy the most?
As a research-driven university, I’m enjoying the fact that what we are being taught in the modules we take is part of the research taking place in the department. I appreciate the variety of modules that we are offered as part of our degrees and I’m enjoying the flexibility these come with. Being part of the Faculty of Engineering also means that we get the opportunity to experience and explore other bits of engineering - The Diamond Introductory Labs I took part in when I was in first year showed me that I made the best decision when I chose The University of Sheffield. The Diamond Wednesdays also give students the opportunity to work on and develop little projects unrelated to the teaching material while allowing them to take advantage of the guidance of the staff members present on site.
How do you think your degree will help your career prospects?
Being part of the Faculty of Engineering and being exposed to multiple types of engineering, I have acquired what I see as a unique set of skills. Going into industry, I see myself as a valuable person with experience in both hardware and software, as well as working in a multidisciplinary environment (through the Multidisciplinary Engineering Education Department, the Global Engineering Challenge Week and Engineering You’re Hired Week) and working with people with a variety of backgrounds. Due to software engineering being such a big part in any engineering company (and not just software companies), I see these skills as being crucial in industry because they will help the individuals adapt easily anywhere they go.
What do you like best about studying at Sheffield?
When I graduate, what I will remember from my time here won’t be just the research-driven and multidisciplinary teaching. I will remember the staff members (from professors to security and maintenance) and how helpful they’ve always been and how they always go out of their way to help anyone and everyone. I will remember the picturesque campus with its red brick buildings in the sunset. I will remember all the things that make Sheffield unique and everything that reminds me that coming to study here was the best choice I ever made.
What do you like best about your placement?
This unique role allows me to work with multiple divisions within the company and learn more about them, as well as working with different departments within the university. Working with such a diverse group of people, along with working with bleeding edge technology and software, have made this placement a memorable experience, one that I will dearly miss.
What are your future plans?
I don’t know yet. What I do know is that my time at the University of Sheffield has showed me that there is more to a Computer Science degree than just sitting at a desk and writing code for 8h a day, and I’m keen to keep exploring until I find something that makes me say “Yes, I want to do this for the rest of my life”.
Any tips for new students?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Take advantage of any opportunity you are given. Enjoy the introductory labs in the Diamond and build on what you learn there. Expand your skillset by doing something else which you can’t find in a typical Computer Science degree. This is what makes studying at the University of Sheffield unique and this is what will make you stand out as an individual. Learn something new every day.