Engineering and Technology

PROGRESSION IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

“When I started my undergraduate degree I had recently arrived in the UK from Italy,” says Benn. “My English wasn’t great and so I did find it quite hard. The support I received from the University was outstanding though and, to be honest, played a big part in my decision to return to education.”

Since graduation Benn has worked as a Business Systems Developer. “My manager was really keen for me to study for my Masters and, when I decided to give it a go, I knew I had to return to LJMU,” he says.

Yet again Benn has been delighted by the support provided by his tutors. “I am, of course, comfortable with the technical side of things but I do find the academic writing something of a challenge,” he admits. “That said, I’m getting all the help I need and currently doing great. The support from LJMU makes me feel confident and that is really important.” In the long term Benn would like to start his own business systems development company but, for now, is keen to build up as much knowledge and experience as possible. “I certainly don’t think I will go on to do a PhD,” he laughs. “But I want to get as far as I can as an individual and the support from LJMU is enabling me to do just that.”

WHEN BENN ADU-OPOKU STUDIED FOR HIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AT LJMU HE ADMITS THAT HE FOUND THE THREE YEARS AS ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGING AS THEY WERE ENJOYABLE. HE NEVER IMAGINED, THEREFORE, THAT HE WOULD BE BACK AT LJMU STUDYING FOR HIS MASTERS IN CYBER

Staying at LJMU was an obvious choice.

WHEN IT CAME TO APPLYING FOR A MASTERS, LJMU MATHS GRADUATE PHILIPPA MCCABE HAD NO HESITATION IN CHOOSING THE DATA SCIENCE PROGRAMME AT THE UNIVERSITY.

“Not only did my undergraduate course feed nicely into the programme, the lecturers at LJMU are so helpful and the number of opportunities I was given at undergraduate level was simply amazing,” says Philippa. “Staying at LJMU was an obvious choice.” Offered as a partnership between the Department of Applied Maths and the Astrophysics Research Institute, the Data Science programme focuses on how to use big data in real world situations, considering applications which benefit the wider community. “We are using ground-breaking techniques,” says Philippa. “We are boosting our programming skills and gaining vital knowledge to prepare us for work in Data Analytics.”

As for the step up to postgraduate study, Philippa admits that, although there are less University teaching days, she is spending more time on site than she did during her undergraduate degree. “It is completely worth the extra time though,” she enthuses. “Tutors will explain things for a second time or even a dozen times if you need it, giving all kinds of examples until you truly understand the concept.”

Indeed, it is this continued support that has inspired Philippa to continue

her studies yet further with a PhD. “I want to go as far as I can with my studies and then move into pharmaceutical statistics to make a real difference,” she says. “Taking the next step in education was absolutely the right decision for me. I’ve got friends who have a year’s work experience and are now coming back to do their Masters and I have friends who wish they had never left education in the first place. I’d advise anyone to stay on for their Masters, it really can transform your future.”