Question: the course you did involved a year in industry, do you think that this gave you an advantage when you were starting in your career?

William Eborall answered on 15 Jun 2011:

Hi awoods. I really think it did. It helped me with my degree, with getting my PhD and with deciding what I wanted to do. And I got paid for a year in the middle of my degree which bought me a car 🙂

During your final year of your degree you usually have to do an independent research project for two terms and then write up and present your findings which is assessed for your final mark. I also had to do this during my year in industry but for a longer time and it counted far far less to my final mark – so it formed a really useful practice for my final year project. That gave you an advantage over anyone who hadn’t done a year in industry.

In my house in final year, out of 5 of us 4 had done a year in industry. The 4 who had done the year in industry got 1sts. If you get the chance they’re definitely worth doing.