Jenny

Name: Jenny
University: University of Birmingham then University of Edinburgh
Graduation Year: 2009/2013
Qualification: BSc then PhD
Subject: Physics
Date of Joining MTC Graduate Programme: September 2013

What first sparked your interest in the MTC and why did you apply? 

When I was looking for a job after my PhD I wanted to work somewhere that was not only innovative and contemporary, but that was also helping to turn the UK economy around. I graduated from my first degree at a time when the financial crisis was starting to hit the jobs market and I know the struggle that some of my fellow students had in getting jobs. Centres like the MTC are vital for improving manufacturing within the UK, making sure that we have a sustainable future and I wanted to be a part of that.

What were your first impressions of the MTC graduate programme? 

My first impression of the graduate programme was that I was never going to get bored! The MTC is such a dynamic place that in the first week on the graduate programme I had gone from having my introduction to the company on the Monday to being in a meeting with senior client representatives discussing a major project on the Friday; all of this whilst being fully supported by the graduate scheme manager, my colleagues in my theme and the graduate community.

How does the graduate programme work in a research and technology organisation? 

The graduate scheme at the MTC enables you to work on real projects for clients and Members alongside research and senior research engineers. You learn so much from the people that you work with and the projects that you complete. You are treated as one of the team, but there is always support and guidance if and when you need it. You also get to be involved in outreach projects, attending events like the Imagineering Fair. My mentor is also a ready source of help and advice.

Has the graduate programme been beneficial to your career? 

Coming from a physics background, the world of manufacturing and engineering was all new to me. The graduate programme has allowed me to gain experience working on a range of different projects, from hands-on experience in the metrology lab to running meetings between multiple large commercial companies. It has given me both technical and commercial experience, which is allowing me to progress my career within the MTC.

Would you recommend the programme to others? 

I would definitely recommend the MTC graduate programme to others. The MTC is a unique place to work, pushing the boundaries of modern manufacturing in multiple areas. The graduate programme enables you to be involved in a range of different projects in multiple areas within the MTC, giving you an unparalleled breadth of experience.