Graduate profile of the month

Congratulations to all graduating from Loughborough University this week!

Get inspired and have a look at our graduate profiles to see what happened next for our graduates and what advice they can offer to you.

July’s profiles is Martyn Tobin. Martyn graduated in 2014 with a BSc DIS Air Transport Management. He is now a Graduate Consultant at Tracsis plc.

 Martyn TobinYour background:

Before attending Loughborough University to study Air Transport Management I worked part time in various retail outlets whilst studying at New College Swindon to obtain the necessary UCAS points.

I’ve always had a passion for flying and subsequently at the age of 17 I obtained my National Private Pilot’s License. The experiences I gained from my flying and volunteering at my local airfield gave me an appreciation of the aviation industry. As such, I began to research future careers and University courses within this field whilst attending college.

Where are you now?

I graduated from Loughborough University in July 2014 where upon I joined Tracsis Plc as a Graduate Consultant. Tracsis is a leading provider of strategic and operational planning to the rail and bus industry with offices in Derby and Leeds. Since joining the consultancy team I’ve been given many opportunities to get stuck into a variety of projects for clients such as Network Rail, National Express Coaches and Train Operating Companies.

How did you get there?

The Air Transport Management degree at Loughborough University includes a one-year placement opportunity after completion of Year 2. After applying for a variety of placements, I was successful in joining the Train Planning Department at First Capital Connect. During my placement I gained first-hand experience of a working Train Operating Company.

Upon my return to complete my final year, I chose to study the Rail Operations module, which was taught by a visiting industry professional. During this module, the lecturer offered careers advice; as well as forwarding by details to Tracsis.

Prior to attending an interview with Tracsis, I utilised the Careers and Employability Centre at Loughborough University for advice on my interview technique, which included a mock interview. The advice they provided was invaluable in securing the position.

Where are you going?

After completion of my degree at Loughborough University and being fortunate to have a fantastic job at Tracsis, I aim to continue my professional education by studying an MSc part-time. My long-term aspiration is to hold a senior management position within the industry.

What if anything would you have done differently during your time at Loughborough University to help you prepare better for your career/life upon graduation?

During my time at Loughborough University, I struggled with some of the statistical modules in my degree. However, if I had my time again at Loughborough I would have utilised the support services during my first and second year. During my final year, with this support, my grade increased by 10%.

What advice would you give now to a student studying your subject at university now?

Although studying at Loughborough University is fun and relaxed, it’s very important to keep reminding yourself of your aspirations. My key advice would be:

  • Attend all classes and that includes tutorials.
  • Make use of the facilities such as the Careers and Employability Centre.
  • Join the LSU Transport society ‘Velocity’. This society provided me with some fantastic opportunities including access to private tours around Bombardier and Airbus. In addition to the educational and networking benefits, you also meet likeminded individuals.

The Next Generation Award 2015: Flying from car launches in Austria to the Paris design studio

Nicole Agba’s month with Peugeot was jam-packed with trips to Austria and Paris to work in a range of different departments with the manufacturer nicole

After a stint on the sales floor of the flagship Peugeot dealer Robins & Day in Coventy, Nicole set off for 24-hours in Gratz, Austria, for the international press launch of the Peugeot 208.

Nicole worked with Peugeot’s PR team to test drive the hatchback and to get a taste, first-hand, of how the company positions its products to journalists.

Next-stop for Nicole was a week at Peugeot’s design studio in Paris, and an opportunity for her to further develop her skill as a designer. “I created concepts for a superyacht, and found that designing an interior space was a nice contrast from car cabins because it lets you use more materials that aren’t suitable for automotive design.”

“Peugeot gave me a really varied experience within all areas of the industry and I became completely immersed in the automotive world,” Nicole explains.

We loaded Nicole with an action cam so she could capture some footage of her european adventures, you can watch the video here.

Nicole’s third placement is with Toyota, where she worked on marketing projects for the Toyota Mirai, the world’s first production hydrogen car.

If you’d like to win an internship at Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren, Peugeot, Skoda and Toyota, plus £9000, submit an original idea or innovation that would improve the UK automotive business in one of four categories – mobility, connectivity, sustainability or customer experience.

Entries close at midnight, 28th August

SEO Summer Launch Pad 2015

SEO London we will be holding an exciting range of events this summer for students in all years.

Through the SEO Master Class series you can complete exclusive summer workshops and/or work experience with partner firms in the industry or industries you may be interested in interning/working in next year to determine where you best fit.

When:
Most of the SEO Master Class events will take part in late August or September. The SEO Academy Training and Summer Schools will take place from late July to September.

Travel Costs:
Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed for students from outside London attending partner firm events

Deadline:
Applications for the Summer Launch Pad close on Sunday 19th July but places will be confirmed sooner for early applicants. After the 19th July students can still apply to SEO for any of our general industry programmes which include being fast tracked for partner firm intern and graduate schemes.

See http://seolondon-careers.com/find-roles/guest/detailjob/265-seo-summer-launch-pad for further details and to apply

Volunteering opportunities from VAL

 Children and Young People

Volunteer Cook / Chef
TwentyTwenty need a volunteer to prepare hot lunch meals for students to eat within the Lifeskills Centre. Find out about this role.

 Health & Social Care

Carers Telephone Befriender
A great opportunity from Voluntary Action South Leicestershire to support carers and to help alleviate the loneliness that they can feel. They are looking for friendly and empathetic individuals to volunteer as telephone befrienders. Find out more.

 Education and Learning

Podcasts in the Park (Leicester)
Led by interns, you will assist in the creation of podcasts based on the histories of Victoria Park, Abbey Park, Spinney Hill Park, Braunstone Park, Evington Park or Shady Lane Arboretum. Learn more.

Family History Volunteer
Learning for the Fourth Age currently need a volunteer to work one to one in Quorn helping with researching a family tree. An interest in fashion and sewing would be a bonus! Find out more.

Bottersford Learning Mentor – Dementia Support
Learning for the Fourth Age are looking for a volunteer to work one to one and in small groups with older people enabling them to keep learning and enjoying their interests and hobbies. Find out more.

Other

Melton RSPCA Shop Volunteer
The RSPCA is looking for a volunteer to help in a thriving and busy Melton charity shop. The volunteer will assist the managers of the shop and provide cover during managers’ absences. Read more about this vacancy.

Volunteer Photographer
Woodside Animal Centre need a photographer to take high quality pictures of the animals in the centre for the website to enable them to be re-homed successfully. Learn more.

Event Volunteer (Music Festival)
Volunteers will be required to undertake a variety of tasks such as: manning the box office, wristband-checking, artist liaison, selling raffle-tickets, and customer service. Learn more.