Kumari Mutiki, a graduate from the University of Greenwich, completed a Masters in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Industrial Practice. She adopted a unique method of shortlisting to support her placement search process.
After thorough search, she created a final list of websites to use during her search of a relevant placement opportunity- Bright Network, LinkedIn and Indeed. Her next step was concluding 15 suitable companies that have entry level job vacancies for a period of 9-12 months.
Following this shortlisting process, she contacted the companies directly showing interest in the role and being transparent with what she was looking for (the university’s requirements). This process led her to a position in the Edwards Vacuum Limited graduate scheme in North Somerset – Clevedon (Bristol Region).
The company were in close contact with the Step team to clarify concerns about the industrial practice programme. From placement search to verification and documentation, it took Kumari 3 months to secure her placement as a Customisation Design Engineer. She was very grateful to the Step Team for a speedy verification and documentation process.
Edwards Vacuum Limited is a global leader of vacuum and abatement. They are committed to minimising the negative environmental impacts of semiconductor manufacturing and the impact on the natural world and environment.
Step Recruitment played a role in Kumari’s journey by providing and identifying companies that will be suitable to apply to. Kumari explained that Step’s support was really helpful because as an international student, she was not aware of UK companies that met the university’s requirements.
During her taught year, the Power Electronic Converters module helped her in her role as a customisation design engineer which was related to electrical design engineering.
“My modules and what I learnt at the university helped me a lot to find a job in the right way”
As a customisation design engineer, she was involved in designing the components of the vacuum, liaison with the purchasing team on the right materials to get for production and verifying that they have a US certification for when their products need to be moved to the US market. She worked closely with the sustaining, customisation, and New Product Investment (NPI) department in a 4-month rotation.
Kumari enjoyed every moment of her placement, from being able to learn from her colleagues to handle various situations, to opportunities for personal growth and development that were useful for future career progress. Her placement exceeded her expectations.
Building on her achievements at Edwards, Kumari secured a full-time role as an Electronics Design Engineer at Siemens.
