Charlotte, Computer Science with Industrial Placement BSc
Charlotte, a British student, tells us about her placement at Jaguar Land Rover, her summer internship at Deloitte and more about her course and life in Newcastle.
Trying out these two very different roles has given me a better insight into what I am more interested in working on once I leave university.
Why I chose Newcastle
I chose Newcastle University because I was drawn to the facilities in the School of Computing (where I study).
I also really liked the city of Newcastle itself for its compactness and charm, as well as the beach being 20 minutes away!
I also liked the concept of Newcastle University being a city-based university, yet still with a campus feel, as everything is close to each other.
Course highlights
My favourite thing is the range of optional modules that there are to choose from in third year; there are various different paths I could’ve gone down, and it was great to have that freedom of choice.
I went for a more app-design route, which I focused my dissertation on. However, if a student wanted to go down a very technical, less creative route, they would also have that opportunity to do so.
Placement year and summer internship
I completed a year in industry as a Product Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, which has allowed me to put my degree into real-world practice, while also gaining a better expectation of what a professional job will entail.
I also took a summer internship as a Cyber Security Risk Advisor at Deloitte.
Trying out these two very different roles has given me a better insight into what I am more interested in working on once I leave university.
Extra-curricular activities
I play intramural netball for the Civil Engineers, which isn't my degree area but it highlights the benefit of being able to participate in any society even if it isn't your course.
This has allowed me to make friends outside of my course, which has been great. I also look forward to the competitions; they give me a sense of achievement that isn't always academically related.
Life in Newcastle
What I enjoy most about the city is that there are so many things to do: student bars, restaurants, parks, activities, all close to each other; everywhere is within walking distance.
I love the fact that Newcastle is full of students, as it makes me feel more comfortable.
I also love having the beach only 20 minutes away, as this is not something I am used to having at home in Manchester.
Support and resources
I have gained some valuable skills through the ncl+ awards, run by the student union to focus on building employability skills.
I have also developed interpersonal skills from various projects within my course including group coursework, which has allowed me to practice delegating roles and working within a team and an agile environment. Also, by writing reports and delivering presentations based on coursework I have done, I have enhanced my skills beyond just technical ones.
Advice for new students
The advice I would give to prospective students would be open-minded to trying new things as you may never know what you enjoy more and what you’re good at.
Don’t be put off by imposter syndrome, as everyone comes from different backgrounds and has different abilities; some people may be advanced in programming and some people may have never done it before.
Just remember you can always tailor your degree to suit you.
