My name is Evan and I’m currently studying Instrumentation and Automation in TUD Blanchardstown. As part of the degree, I carry out work placement for seven months of each year. That is really what appealed to me about the course and what made me apply. I like the idea of spending half the time in college with lectures and spending the other half out in the field gaining experience.
I was employed as a work rider for a show jumper before I started the course and while that’s something I really enjoy doing, I wanted to have an engineering degree so I could work in that area alongside buying and selling horses which is my goal. I heard about the course through my friend, Joy as she was already working with a company who did Instrumentation and Automation. That company was CalX.
Working with CalX has benefitted me in many ways. I have learned many skills and qualities that will stay with me my whole life. Skills such as working as part of a team, communication skills, IT skills, and most importantly hands-on practical skills. After graduating from this degree, I’ll have the option to continue studying, maybe to go teaching, or I could finish with the level 7 degree.
Having done 21 months of work placement by the time we finish the course means we will be much more employable after graduating. If I did a normal degree in engineering with no work placement, I wouldn’t have as much experience and I think this would be less appealing to an employer.