Tom Jarvis – MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate

“My favourite time of year was always Varsity; I represented the Plymouth University lacrosse team and really enjoyed the great atmosphere and huge crowds who came to support the sports teams.”

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

Straight after graduating I joined a graduate scheme at HORIBA MIRA Ltd which includes four six month placements within the company.

What was the most difficult thing you faced finding a job?

Juggling the work load and including the time to find a job and prepare interviews was quite difficult, especially if you include completing the application process. The sooner you start looking for work after university, the better.

What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career (or that you’re most looking forward to)?

The best thing that I have done to date has to be driving and working with high performance vehicles, which is always exciting!

What, if anything, would you have done differently at university?

I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I came out of university with a Master’s degree and jumped straight into a job which I have always wanted. If you work hard and take the opportunities which come your way, you will make it.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get in to the same line of work?

Choose a dissertation subject which concentrates upon the type of work you want to follow. This helps immensely at the interview stage as you have a good foundation knowledge set and it also reveals that you have a genuine interest in the field.

How did studying at Plymouth help you?

Studying at Plymouth University helped me to develop my theoretical knowledge and helped me to implement this knowledge in a practical manner: which is what attracted employers to me.

What is your favourite memory of studying at Plymouth?

My favourite time of year was always Varsity; I represented the Plymouth University lacrosse team and really enjoyed the great atmosphere and huge crowds who came to support the sports teams.

Do you stay in touch with other Plymouth University alumni or lecturers?

Yes, I am still very close to many people who I met or lived with during my time at university. Our lecturers have maintained an interest in our careers and are keen to involve graduates to shape a better course.

Would you recommend undertaking a course with Plymouth University, and why?

Plymouth is a great city to study in; not only does the University sit within the heart of the city but the city and the surrounding area also has so much to offer, with the sea and Dartmoor on your doorstep.