BSc (Hons) Physics graduate Ruth Howley discusses her time at WIT and the infinite number of doors that opened to her once she’d finished her studies
“I was unsure what direction I wanted to take my career before I started college. Studying Physics at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) exposed me to a broad range of subjects (from electronics to quantum mechanics, from thermodynamics to programming) and enabled me to focus on an area that appealed to me the most.”
Final year project to career
“My Final Year Project was based on an automotive control system and, thanks to this, I had a job waiting for me when I completed my exams. Today, I am working in Cambridge, UK as a Systems Engineer at IDIADA Automotive Technology UK Ltd. In the past year my work has involved trips to Shanghai, Spain and occasional trips around England.”
The variety
“The best thing about my job is the variety of work. I do a lot of work on innovative development projects such as autonomous vehicles or control systems for vehicles powered by alternative energy (ie. fully electric or even liquid nitrogen engines) and get to use most aspects of my studies on a day-to-day basis. We also do a lot of work with high-end car companies (like Jaguar Land Rover or Aston Martin), so getting to see and occasionally play with these kind of luxury cars is always a bonus!”
Open doors
“I really enjoyed this course and would highly recommend pursuing physics to anyone who enjoys problem-solving or is curious about how the world works. A degree in physics has a lot to offer and opens many interesting doors.”
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
