Richard's career path

Richard has just left Magdalene College, part of the University of Cambridge, with a BA and an MEng in Chemical Engineering. After a well earned summer break he starts work for BP in Sunbury (West London). Richard tells us more about his university days, his aspirations and plans for the future.

What are you studying & where?

I've just finished my fourth year at Magdalene College, part of the University of Cambridge. I've been studying Chemical Engineering, taking a Bachelor's degree in it last year and a Master's this year. Cambridge's course is different from many others in that your first year can be spent studying general engineering, general science, or even mathematics or computer science, before you specialise in Chemical Engineering.

I'm hoping to get away for the summer, before I start work with BP at Sunbury, in west London

How would you describe your ethnicity?

White

Highest qualification so far? Tell us about it.

I have a BA and an MEng in Chemical Engineering. The course is focussed on the fundamentals of the subject and applying these to real world problems. Although most assessment is from exams, students do plenty of coursework which adds interests and shows you why subjects are important. In the third year we do a team-based 'Design Project', where you have five weeks to design a chemical plant using what you have learnt. In the fourth year we do a 'Research Project' in the labs, where you have the chance to contribute to advances in the subject.

What are your aims?

In ten years I would like to be a Chartered Engineer who has travelled around the world with his work and now leads a team developing new projects.

The story so far....

I always wanted to study science at University. I decided on Chemical Engineering because it lets you apply what you learn, it draws on many strands of physical and biological science, plus it gives you career
prospects which are second-to-none. After my second year I worked for Rolls-Royce for the summer in Bristol in a factory manufacturing jet engine parts. After my third year I worked for BP, where I researched aspects of natural gas processing. BP have offered me a job. I like the company, so I have accepted it.

Describe your average day.

At University, a typical day would be waking up at 0630 in order to have a rowing training session on the river before a shower and lectures at 1000.

At 1300, I come home for lunch, listen to music and do three hours of coursework perhaps.

At 1900 I get dressed in a suit and gown in order to go to 'Formal Hall' with friends, where my College serves me a 3 course meal for under four pounds! After this I go to the bar and on to a pub before bed.

All work no play? All play no work?

At Cambridge typical science or engineering students work thirty hours per week. We have fewer lectures and shorter terms than many Universities, but you are expected to do plenty of work at home for 'Supervisions', where a pair of you discuss the course with an academic a couple of times per week. Also, many students spend a lot of time in the lab, or doing team coursework.

Cambridge students put in the hours, but also tend to play very hard in the rest of their time. Many play sports, such as my rowing, to a very high level of commitment and almost all can be found out on the town a few times per week.

As good as you expected?

The University experience has been absolutely magical and has gone very fast. My advice would be to study something which interests you and which will give you a good job when you leave. That way, no stress and an enjoyable time.

Where to next?

I am going to Austria for five weeks with the University Caving Club. We are exploring a cave system over there that has never been explored before. I come home for a week, then travel as a tourist to Russia with my girlfriend, before starting work for BP in September.

Your words of wisdom...

Don't do Chemical Engineering unless you are good at maths. Also, be aware that Chemical Engineering is more physics and engineering than it is chemistry. If you want an easy degree, look elsewhere. If you want something interesting that rewards you when you graduate, do it!

In your personal life, what lights your fire?

I have become an outdoor person since coming to University. When I joined I did no sport. Now I row, cox and coach rowing. I also go running and go caving with the University Club.

Socially, I can be found in the pub five nights per week and typically go clubbing once or twice per week. Cambridge is not the best place for live music or big clubs, but it has enough!

When I was growing up, I wanted to be.....

I always wanted to be a scientist - maybe a physicist. I now realise that engineering is much more interesting!

Uh oh moments

On the hunt for a job I had an embarrassing moment when I talked to a lady from a company called 'Schlumberger'. I asked "So, how many engineers worked for Schlum Burger?". She said "Actually, it's pronounced Slumberjay". I felt an idiot; there were my chances of a job gone!

3 things to do before you die...

1) I really want to travel in North Africa. Maybe trek in the Atlas Mountains and also visit the ruins in Egypt.

2) I would like to work for a year on an oil rig. It would be an interesting thing to do, just for one year.

3) Maybe in a few years I will go back to University and study for a PhD. It would be good to do some more research and progress Chemical Engineering a little further.

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