James
Name: James
Sponsor: Plessey
University: University of Bristol
Degree Course: MEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering
What appeals to you about Electronics?
I have been fascinated by Electronics from an early age, especially developments in new technology and its applications when it has affected my personal life or made larger impacts in the world around me. At school I decided to learn the fundamentals and put those into practise in my personal hobbies. This desire to learn ‘how things work’ and seek wider applications I believe is an underlying trait of all engineers and is part of who I am.
Why did you want a scholarship with Plessey?
I was attracted by Plessey’s position at the forefront of micro-LED technology development as world leaders in their field. I wanted to work alongside the experienced and highly skilled employees that drive this company, to gain new skills and knowledge within optoelectronics as well as general engineering practise. To put it simply, I wanted to work on cutting edge technology, alongside those who are developing it.
What type of work have you been involved with during your placement?
During my internship, I worked as part of the product development team focusing on designing and implementing a Bluetooth control system for one of their frontline products, as well as an app to act as the user interface. I then developed a universal Bluetooth datalogger for some of the testing instrumentation used in the facility, where I learnt PCB design and optimisation. During my time at Plessey I have developed my technical skillset, specifically in PCB design and circuit design software alongside Java and BASIC coding languages. I feel that this has provided me with invaluable experience and has improved my technical skillset, improving my employability.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy playing piano and guitar, sailing and SCUBA diving, as well as playing the odd bit of rugby alongside my studies at university.
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