One of the best things about my placement was the variety of work and the chance to contribute meaningfully to real projects.

Why did you decide to do a placement?

I undertook the placement as it was an invaluable opportunity to gain experience in the engineering field. It offered practical insight into real-life engineering projects and work environments. The placement at AMRC also provided a useful perspective on how theoretical engineering taught at university can be applied and further developed for industry. I would highly recommend the placement to others for the same reasons

What’s your overall experience of this placement at AMRC?

During my placement at AMRC, I worked on a range of projects that helped me apply my technical skills in a practical setting. One of the main things I developed was a VR demo to help visualise optimised factory-floor layouts. It was designed to help engineers and managers clearly see how changes in layout could improve efficiency, and it ended up being used in several internal discussions.

Day to day, I often moved between helping out with team projects and working independently. I regularly supported a project that used LoRaWAN sensors to collect environmental data, where I helped build an SQL database and connect it via an API to store and visualise sensor readings. I also got involved in testing equipment, writing documentation, and supporting colleagues with smaller tasks that helped their projects run more smoothly.

What are the best things about your placement?

One of the best things about my placement was the variety of work and the chance to contribute meaningfully to real projects. I wasn’t just shadowing; I was actively supporting ongoing work. I also really valued how approachable and supportive the team was; I learned a lot just by asking questions and getting involved in different areas.

What skills have you gained from your placement year that you think will be most useful in terms of your final year of studies and future career?

My placement helped me develop key skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication through hands-on work on real engineering projects. I also improved my time management and learned to adapt quickly when working on different tasks. These experiences will be useful for tackling my final-year projects and starting my career with more confidence.

How did your course prepare you for your placement year?

My course gave me a strong set of basic skills that helped me get started during the placement. It also taught me how to approach new problems and pick up new tools or techniques quickly. As in work, you often had to learn things on the job for different projects, and the problem solving mindset from my degree really helped with that.

How has your placement influenced your future career plans?

AMRC gave me the chance to explore different areas of engineering, from software and data handling to hands-on technical work. It made me realise that I’m especially interested in the hardware design side of engineering. Getting to work on real projects showed me how different systems connect and helped me build confidence in applying what I’ve learned. As a result, I’m now aiming to focus my career more towards hardware-focused roles, particularly in embedded systems or digital design.

What would be your best piece of advice for other students considering doing a placement year?

My best advice would be to say yes to as many opportunities as you can during the placement even the smaller tasks. Getting involved in a variety of work helps you figure out what you enjoy and builds confidence. Don’t worry about knowing everything before you start most of the learning happens on the job.