Charlie Berkeley Graduate Software Engineer, ams

Southampton’s acoustic programme has great connections with industry, fantastic acoustics and audio facilities, and world-renowned lecturers.

Why did you choose to study at Southampton?

I chose Southampton because it is one of only a few universities that run a respected acoustics programme. It also has great connections with industry, fantastic acoustics and audio facilities, and world-renowned lecturers.

I wanted to do acoustics because I’m interested in music and sound, but I also wanted to do something technical, involving mathematics. Acoustics was the obvious choice. You can specialise in this area, but you are also equipped with a solid engineering background.

What is it like studying here?

Acoustics is a small community, which meant I had the opportunity to be close with my course mates and easily make connections within the Institute for Sound Vibration and Research (ISVR). It also has great connections with industry and I actually got my first placement at Bowers and Wilkins by using these connections.

The acoustic facilities, including the anechoic chamber, are excellent. There is also a really good collection of audio gear including microphones and loudspeakers, and the workshops are fantastic for building project equipment.

What were your highlights at Southampton?

I enjoyed the various practical projects we undertook over the years, most notably the loudspeaker project, the individual project, the acoustic design project, and the group design project. These give you a break from lectures and enable team-bonding and practical skills improvement. Our group design project Loudspeaker Array was shortlisted for the Excellence in Engineering Design Award. I also received the IMechE Best Student Certificate that is awarded to the best student in any year, and the School award for the best performance in my year group.

How did your time at Southampton help you to grow as a person?

I’ve become a more independent person overall - both living and learning. Independent learning is really important, and I now feel I can learn whatever I need to know for my job off my own back. The group design project definitely helped me enhance my teamwork skills and helped build my confidence at expressing ideas in a team environment.

What are your plans now you have graduated?

During my final year I was searching for a job and had several interviews with a range of engineering companies. I was really pleased to get a job as a graduate software engineer with ams – a semiconductor company that develops microchips for use in active noise-cancelling earphones. I am using the signal processing and coding skills that I acquired at Southampton to implement firmware and adaptive algorithms on the chip. I am also required to do some acoustics from time to time.