Alexander Lunness

I worked at a small company called D3 to begin with through the Santander SME scheme. It was interesting and enjoyable even though it wasn’t necessarily an area of engineering I’d hope to go into. I then moved to Assystem and have been thoroughly enjoying it and planning my path to Chartered Engineer status.

What are you doing now?

I am still currently learning the ropes and just starting to get involved in project work involving calculation, report writing, FEA and problem solving skills at Assystem.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

It was close to home, and the facilities available in the Engineering Department were more substantial.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

Northumbria was a good university for me. A great mixture of seminars, lectures, team projects and practical work to really get a good education on my chosen subject.

How connected was your course with industry?

The course was fairly-well connected to industry, with visits from the IMechE and talks given by speakers from industry. Added to the personal experiences of some of the lecturers who had long successful careers as engineers as well.

What was the best thing about your course?

The feeling of belonging to part of what, was basically, one big family. The research is fascinating, but it’s the people that pull you through.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

Northumbria helped stand me in good stead with employers and allowed me to peruse two dissertations put forward by myself which helped me stand out from the crowd in job interviews.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

The ability to work effectively in a team, and analytical skills. Large parts of the technical fundamentals you learn you likely won’t use again, but the foundation is integral, as you will likely use at least once every day.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

How friendly everyone is, especially the technical staff in the lab.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

Enjoy it, you’re only an undergraduate once.

How would you describe your time at Northumbria in three words?

The best time.