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Combining work with study was key to Jasmin’s success

24 November 2014

 

Jasmin Gibson is forging a career in engineering after graduating from Teesside University.

The civil, structural and architectural design technician in the Stockton office of international professional technical services firm Jacobs, gained a HNC Civil Engineering with distinction.

Originally from Heckmondwike, in West Yorkshire, Jasmin, 22, said: 'I came to Teesside as I knew I had a far better chance of finding work in the engineering industry in this area.

'I decided to study at Teesside after being offered an apprenticeship at Jacobs as many of the apprenticeships and graduates working for Jacobs locally had studied at Teesside University, so for me it was the obvious choice as they had all had a good experience.

'Jacobs have been extremely supportive throughout my HNC. This included paying my course fees and allowing me to complete the course on day release.'

She added: 'My job is to create civil and structural general arrangement drawings, along with steelwork connection details and reinforcement design and detailing. I also assist the engineers in various ways such as in the production of bills of quantities or producing reinforcement schedules.

'The HNC really helped to prepare me for my current role at Jacobs, as it helped me to understand all the constraints which can affect a design and how to mitigate them. It’s given me a good understanding of why the engineers make the decisions they do, which in turn assists me with my own designs.

'I particularly enjoyed the structural analysis unit on the course, as it helped with what I do at work and helped me to understand the rationale behind the engineer’s decisions and why things are designed in a certain way.

'I enjoyed meeting the other students on the course who worked for different companies and in different parts of the industry. Learning from their experience has been fascinating and enjoyable.

'I also got a good knowledge of how a project is planned and managed, which makes me more mindful of other disciplines when I am completing my own work.'

Jasmin, who studied part-time, feels doing the HNC has whetted her appetite for possible further study. She said: 'I want to further develop as a designer before I progress onto the next stage and should I decide to complete the degree in the future, it would likely be at Teesside University. I’m surprised at how envious I am of my peers who have continued straight on to the degree.'


 
 
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