Matthew Edwards MEng Acoustical Engineering, 2011, 2011
Graduate Engineer, Nissan
Hi, I'm Matthew Edwards and I studied MEng Acoustical Engineering, 2011 within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton.
“Fantastic reputation as an engineering university; my course encouraged me to think beyond the academic exercise when solving engineering problems – a valuable skill I use all the time in my job.”
What was your degree when you studied at Southampton and when did you graduate?
MEng Acoustical Engineering – graduated in June 2011
Why did you choose to study at Southampton?
Fantastic reputation as an engineering university, very inclusive culture for a Russell Group uni and the genuine passion for what goes on at the university expressed by the staff and students when I visited.
Where do you work and what is your job role?
I work for Nissan as a graduate engineer.
What aspects of your degree do you use in your day-to-day job?
As I work in an engineering environment, the technical aspects of my degree are used daily. More fundamentally, the approaches to problem solving, managing projects and applying skills/knowledge practically and relevantly are by far the most useful skills picked up from my degree.
Did you enjoy your time at Southampton? What memories stand out from your time here?
It was genuinely the best time of my life so far. To be in an environment where you are surrounded by opportunities to learn, grow and experience new things is a fantastic privilege. Getting the opportunity to spend a year studying in the USA was brilliant. But overall I couldn’t pinpoint any particular memories, as, at the risk of sounding clichéd, there are far too many! Certainly getting involved in societies, particularly the ski club, helped define my university experience.
How did the University help you prepare for employment?
Aside from the obvious academic aspects, I had great support from the careers service. I took advantage of CV clinics and mock interviews to help prepare for applications. The staff were incredibly good at helping you to identify your best approach to selling yourself and setting yourself apart. The degree course itself was also very good at encouraging you to think beyond the academic exercise alone when solving engineering problems.
What advice would you give to current students in order to help them get one step ahead of the competition?
Do as much as you can to set yourself apart. Take full advantage of opportunities to study overseas, get involved with clubs and societies, undertake work placements and really show yourself to be a pro-active person who embraces new challenges and is more than just a name on a piece of paper.