Name: Alasdair Stark
Degree studied:
MEng Computer & ElectronicSystems
Graduated:2012
Employer: SIMUL 8
Why did you decide to study at Strathclyde?
When applying for University I was interested in both Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The Computer and Electronic Systems course offered by the Department is a unique blend of these two disciplines. Strathclyde University has a great reputation for engineering and is a perfect location in the city centre of Glasgow. The 5-year Masters courses offered are engaging and lead to a wealth of opportunities for graduate employment.
What aspects of your degree did you most enjoy?
The wide variety of practical work and projects available throughout the course were enjoyable and challenging. These ranged from building a wireless guitar synthesizer to demonstrate the possibilities of open source hardware to creating a robot that used the Microsoft Kinect to interact with 3D objects.
Did you do any placements or internships while studying for your degree?
At the end of third year I attended a talk by a visiting recruitment consultant who later found me a placement for the summer at a software development company in London. After the summer I took a year out to continue working in industry before returning to my studies. I received a lot of support in making this process as smooth as possible thanks to the University's recognition of the importance in gaining experience.
Did you participate in any other programmes or activities whilst at University that you think have helped you in your future career?
One of the highlights of my time in University was being involved with sports clubs. I met lots of great people through surfing and snowboarding and was the president of the snowsports club during my third year. As well as having an amazing time and being able to give back to the club, this gave me experience in managing a large committee responsible for hundreds of students. This is something that I will be telling future employers for many years to come.
What are you doing now?
I am currently working as a software developer at SIMUL8, a simulation company based in the Merchant City, Glasgow.
Does your job make use of your degree?
My current job makes use of the programming skills I learned from Computer Science classes and developed through various projects.
Description of Scholarships awarded
Departmental Scholarship - I was awarded a departmental scholarship based on academic performance for the duration of my studies. The scholarship allowed me to live more comfortably in the city and provided great motivation.
What advice would you give to potential students thinking about studying Electronic & Electrical Engineering?
The Computer & Electronic Systems course offers a unique curriculum over two great departments, catering perfectly for students who are interested in physics, maths and computing. In later years there are many options available when choosing classes, allowing individuals’ access to a degree which really is tailored to their interests. The skills taught and the experience gained with projects opens up a huge variety of career paths for graduates.
“The wide variety of practical work and projects available throughout the course were enjoyable and challenging.”