Work placement allowed mechanical & manufacturing engineering student Kelly, to complete a trainee-ship in Dijon, France, while also travelling around Europe
Kelly FitzGerald is a past pupil of St. Angela's Ursuline Secondary School, Waterford City. She came to SETU to study B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering.
Time at WIT
2016-present.
On which SETU campus are you based
Main Campus on the Cork Road Applied Technology Campus.
Why did you choose to study at SETU?
I went to the open day and enjoyed the talk about the level 8 and ladder system for this course. I wanted to work in a field that would give me the opportunity to both work with my hands and also in an office, not stuck in an office all day.
What was your experience?
I really enjoy the course. The site visits we have went on have been interesting, such as a trip to the Airbus plant in Hamburg, Germany with the Engineering Society. I also love the events like the Toys4Engineers. I find the classes interesting and the lecturers are helpful.
What advice would you give to students considering your course?
To ask questions and make use of the resources that are available, such as the Maths centre and the people in Student Life & Learning and the events that are on. To talk with the older students in both this course and some other engineering courses like electronics because there is an electronics module. To keep notes organised and tidy, and do the work especially practice questions.
If your course included a work placement, what was it like and how has it been of benefit?
For the 15 week work placement, I did an Erasmus+ Trainee-ship in Dijon, France. Through the IUT Dijon and the University of Burgundy I was placed in a company called Savoye that was based in the town/village LAdoix-Serrigny. Savoye is a company that creates innovative tailor-made logistics solutions for their customers.
I was with the After-Sales Hotline support service, so when their customers had an issue with an installation of equipment such as a conveyor or shuttle robot they'd call the Hotline. The people I worked with were very welcoming and helpful, answering many questions. It has been very beneficial to me, giving me an opportunity to work with many different people, with varying levels of English, I got lots of practice at using PowerPoint and giving presentations which I believe will stand to me and help me in the future.
I also used the opportunity in France to visit some neighbouring cities such as Lyon, Geneva, Switzerland. With the IES Network, a group for international and Erasmus students I visited Beaune, France and Europa-Park, an amusement park in Germany.
Tell us whatever you want that we haven't asked about
I took part in the ESB challenge in my 2nd year as part of a team of four made from different courses.
I was part of and the treasurer for both the Ultimate Frisbee Club and the Archery Club in my first year. I am also a member of the LGBT+ Society, GráSoc. With GráSoc I have had the opportunity to take part three times in an event called Pink Training run by USI.