Varun Patel
Why did you choose to study at City?
One of the main reasons to opt for City was due to the high reputation we have for employability. City is currently ranked one of the top universities in UK for employability rate. Another reason is due to the fact that it is located in the heart of London. It's easily accessible by means of public transport and it's within an hour from where I reside at present. City is also close to many famous tourists attractions. This was really helpful during my time at City, especially during stressful times such as the exams. I would end up near the banks of River Thames just to relax and get rejuvenated.
City being the pioneers of Aeronautics studies in the UK is one of the reasons to be part of the history.The labs have world class facilities that are very useful in lab sessions and understanding of taught theory in a class room environment. The lecturers are also world renowned for their expertise in the field they deliver. City prepares all students to cope and develop in a real life industry from day one of the course which has been very helpful to me.
How easy was it to settle in?
It was quite challenging at first to settle in as it was a massive leap from the A level studies. The support I received from the lecturers and my personal tutor was very helpful in getting settled at City easily. The admin staff was helpful and always provided help whenever it was needed.
In a matter of days, City was my new home as I spent most of my time studying, socialising and volunteering. The area became more familiar by the day and it was easier to locate eateries, parks, local facilities and shops.
What do you like best about your course?
The best thing about my course is that it is a challenge and an adventure each day. There is no single day that I will go back home without having learnt anything new and useful (both academic and non-academic). The course itself is very hard and requires a lot of input from the students in order to sail through easily.
The facilities available at City helps make the course easily understandable and provide a real insight into the real engineering world. The IT and Computing facilities are also state-of-the-art which is very helpful in regards to completing assignments and projects on time.
Last but not the least, the lecturers' at City SEMS are not only a 'walking wealth' of knowledge, but they are also great individuals with a distinct personality. They inspire and motivate me each day.
What activities/clubs/societies are you involved in?
At the present, I am on a placement with Tube Lines Ltd. and I am assisting in project managing the Cooling the Tube Programme along with major players such as the London Underground. My main duties are centred around managing the contractual agreement between LUL and TLL and also administering our contractors.
As well as being a Student Ambassador for City, I am an active member of the Krishna Conscious Society (KCSOC) at City. I have also, in the past, volunteered for City Karting. This was a 13 week programme that gave me hands on experience building go-karts.
What do you like best about studying at City?
City being a multi-cultural and multi-lingual university, it provides me with the best platform to learn new cultures and meet new people. The environment in general is perfect for studying and the location is always an added bonus from the very beginning. It's the perfect place to socialise, learn, innovate and be part of in general.
Studying at City has provided me with the necessary skills that are required to function well in this ever changing and challenging world. To be fairly honest, I can go on and on for days talking about City, but to sum it up: this is the best thing to have happened to me.
The amount of time invested in developing the skills of each individual has always been at the top priority list for the Centre for Careers and Skills Development. They have assisted me on various occasions and this has lead me to securing a placement with such a big firm known for its excellence in delivering major projects to keep London moving.
What advice do you have for new students?
Be prepared for a roller coaster ride. City is the perfect university in producing professionals and hence the motto stands firm to each of the words: 'University for business and professions'. Always feel free to talk to lecturers, seek advice, use the facilities and services provided at City. City certainly rocks!
Where do you see yourself after graduation?
I would love to see myself working for a major firm in Aeronautics designing and improving present designs to suit the future world's needs. Eventually, I want to obtain my chartered status and manage full scale big budgeted projects in the fields of Aeronautics.
