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Graduate success student success Student success stories

Graduate Success Story: Stuart Herron, PDP

Stuart Herron – CQV Engineer

What Course did you graduate from in QUB? Chemical Engineering (MEng)

What made you choose this Course?
Science was always something that intrigued me through my school years. This course would give me the opportunity to learn how science and maths could be transitioned into the working world, creating innovative solutions to real life problems.

What was your favourite subject and why?
Maths closely followed by physics and chemistry. These subjects heavily relied on applying theory to problem solve and I loved the challenge. The sciences allowed me to work with various equipment and new technologies which always kept my interest.

How long have you worked with PDP?
Into my 4th year now. Scary how time passes by.

How did you hear of PDP?
I heard through my university peers that a company was giving interviews for students to work in Canada on a vaccine manufacturing facility. As I learned more about the opportunity it became evident it was something that would push me out of my comfort zone and provide further career prospects. I moved to Toronto and never looked back.

What have been the highlights of your career to date?
Working in Biopharma has been very meaningful as I know my work is contributing to a greater purpose. Working on a Covid-19 vaccine project whilst going through the pandemic only emphasized how important the work is. It continues to be an incredibly rewarding learning experience.
Another highlight has been the network of talented people I have had the privilege to work with. My PDP peers have been invaluable in my development, allowing me to gain and share knowledge that have helped form my contribution to projects as well as my career path.
Beyond my work, travelling overseas to projects has allowed me to go on new adventures and immerse myself in different cultures. Plenty of skiing has also certainly been welcomed.

What projects have you been involved in with PDP?
I spent 2 years on a vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto, Canada where I was a CQ owner of Fermentation systems and also involved in utilities. I have since moved to Switzerland, Visp on another vaccine project, notably working on a COVID-19 vaccine as a utilities CQV Engineer.
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Would you recommend working for PDP to a friend and why?
Absolutely, there are many opportunities to be made. With an ever growing group of driven individuals you will always have guidance to aid your learning and career. The travel experiences you will gain are an added bonus, and with PDP’s assistance there are many locations and projects to experience.

Categories
Graduate success student success Student success stories

Graduate Success Story: John Hamilton, PDP

John Hamilton – CQV Engineer

What Course did you graduate from in QUB?

Chemical Engineering

What made you choose this Course?

I wanted to pursue a career that made use of my strengths in science and maths, but also didn’t involve sitting in an office the whole time. I was also interested in the prospects of travelling abroad that the career offered.

What was your favourite subject and why?

I particularly enjoyed group projects where we had to collaborate as a team to design something. Through these I gained confidence that I could take on what challenges I faced in my future career and learnt that engineering is not a solo effort.

How long have you worked with PDP?

For over 3 years.

How did you hear of PDP?

In my final year of university, PDP were looking for graduate CQV Engineers to work on a large vaccine manufacturing project in Toronto, Canada. For me this was an exciting opportunity.

What have been the highlights of your career to date?

Being part of a Covid vaccine project throughout most of its stages was particularly rewarding for me. In the project, I was responsible for a wide range of utility systems and was frequently in the clean rooms where these groundbreaking vaccines would be produced. Naturally, it was a very fast-paced project that sometimes involved longer hours and unique challenges, but it was amazing to see what could be achieved with such a concentrated effort by an extraordinary team.

What projects have you been involved in with PDP?

For the first two years I was part of the Sanofi B100 5-acP/Diptheria/Tetanus vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto, Canada. After that I moved to Switzerland to work on a Covid vaccine project in Visp, Switzerland. And recently, I moved onto a much larger project in Visp.

Would you recommend working for PDP to a friend and why

I would recommend PDP to any friend in the industry. During the time I have been working for PDP, they have been growing rapidly and constantly have new projects and new opportunities. All the while, they have continued to put their people first, and I have always felt that they have had my back.

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Careers programmes Fairs Go Global Fair Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Spring Careers Fair Spring Recruitment Fair WORK EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT FAIR

Expert guide to preparing for a Careers Fair – Emma Lennox, Careers Consultant

Emma Lennox

Careers Fairs offer the opportunity to connect in-person with employers offering work experience, placement and graduate opportunities.

Hear from Emma Lennox, Careers Consultant on how to properly prepare for Careers Fair

Preparing for the Careers Fair

“Preparation for career fair is key. You need to know the logistics; so what buildings are being used?, what employers are going to be there? and who are you going to target when you get there?  

If it’s online, make sure you have the technology started, make sure you know your device is going to work. You have everything connected and you’ve got your battery ready to go.

If there is a virtual or an online aspect to careers fair, you have an extra element of preparation. You might have to go onto the platform in advance and make your profile and make sure it sells you in the skill sets that you want employers to know about”.

Make sure you are prepared for the virtual elements of the Careers Fair

Speaking to Employers at the Careers Fair

“This is the time to go and actually speak to actual employers to find out things you can’t find from their website”

“Don’t ask them something you should already know, so it’s on their website or it’s in the fair information booklet. Make sure you’ve done your research.”

Here are possible questions to ask:

  • Asking about a particular job if some of the details a bit vague.  
  • You could ask about the recruitment process
  • Ask about specifics of the assessment centre
  • You can ask about what the day in the job would really look like
  • What are the main responsibilities
  • What is a new recruit going to be asked for

These are the things that really get the employer talking and show that you’ve done your research and you’re engaged and interested in this organisation.  

Top Tips

  • “Try not to go to the careers fair with a group of 10 of your best friends. You walk around in a huge group and the employer will just see a huge group. This is your time to stand out, to be an individual”.
  • “Don’t take lots of stuff with you through the careers for and make sure you keep your hands free because you need to take notes. Remember the positions; Remember the companies; and remember the jobs when you go back later and you’re working out how to keep this engagement going.
  • “Look at the job tasks; look at the values and the mission statement of the company because you might go in there and find a company you never considered before”.

After the Careers Fair

“Don’t forget to follow up after careers fair”.

“If the employer has a LinkedIn account, you can ask if you can follow them. Definitely follow the company, see what’s happening and keep up to date with things. If you were speaking to someone, you have a personal rapport with them and you think, “I would really like to discuss this role further”. You can send them a personal e-mail and thank them for their time.”

Keep an eye out for QUB Careers Fairs and other events here

Categories
employability Erasmus erasmus study programme Global Opportunities Go Global Study abroad

Top 3 Takeaways from the European Study Exchange Information Session

The European Student Exchange Information Session took place on 2nd February 2023

Erasmus is the European Higher Education programme which enables students, already enrolled at a university in Europe, to take time out from their own institution and spend one or two semesters at a partner university

Here are the top 3 takeaways from the session:

1. Experience a new culture, city, language

2. Over 200+ study exchange destinations across Europe

3. Potential funding available

Categories
Skills transferrable skills work experience WORK EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT FAIR

Top 4 Takeaways from “Want to Find Work Experience?” Session

The Want to Find Work Experience? Session took place on the 27th January 2023.

A session for Year 1 & 2 Sociology, Social Policy, Criminology & Social Work students on exploring career options and how to access relevant work experience opportunities and internships.

Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own interests and values to support exploration of work experience opportunities that align with their career goals.

Here are the Top 4 Takeaways from the session:

1. Reflect on your main interests 

2. Consider what you want from an internship

3. Register on MyFuture for internship updates

4. Attend employer events