A powerful focus on industry has helped a Physics student land his dream job months before he graduates.
Ben Atkinson, 21, from Gillingham in Kent, has been offered a position as a Systems Engineer at BAE Systems, one of the largest security and aerospace companies in the world.
Ben said the BSc Physics course at the University of Chester, with its focus on providing industry placements, has prepared him for the career of his choice. He said: “The Physics course at Chester helped me achieve this through its wide breadth of modules that have provided me with a strong knowledge of a wide range of physics as well as its strong focus towards industry through the industrial placement in second year and professional skills modules.”
During his industry placement with PMW Technology Ltd., Ben had the opportunity to work on exciting projects in carbon capture, applying knowledge gained from his course to real-world problem-solving.
He said that he chose to study at Chester as he “loved the city” and was impressed by the programme and its lecturers.
For Ben, studying Physics was always a passion. He added: “I chose to study Physics because I have always, even from an early age, had a strong interest in the subject. The course has opened my eyes to a wide range of subjects within Physics, from the Physics we encounter every day to the Physics of the sub-atomic particles where things don’t behave like you’d expect. The course has given me a thorough knowledge of the subject that will serve me well in my career.
“My time at the University of Chester has allowed me to learn from the very best in the subject and has thoroughly prepared me for beginning my professional career.”
The BSc Physics programme at the University of Chester boasts a high employment rate for graduates, 90% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.
Dr Theodoros Papadopoulos, Associate Professor in Physics, said: “BAE systems employ a skilled workforce of 90,500 people in more than 40 countries, and we are really proud that Ben is starting his career with them. This success demonstrates how well the BSc Physics programme is integrated with employability, training graduates with skills that are very attractive to modern employers.”
