Student Profiles
Katie Taylor
Interviewed in her fourth year, studying Manufacturing Engineering
Katie studied A Levels in Maths, Chemistry, Physics and French.
"I always liked sciences at school but also loved building things and applying science in a practical way. When I was applying to university, I looked at doing a civil engineering degree. I had previously spent a few days doing work experience for a civil engineering company, where I got the opportunity to visit a building site. I came to Cambridge with my parents to visit the Colleges and I really liked the atmosphere and the city so I decided to apply. Before starting university, I took a gap year and went travelling to Central America.
The course here is general for the first two years which meant that I did not have to make a decision about my specialisation straight away. During work experience after my first year, I realised what I really enjoyed doing and this guided me to choose the Manufacturing Engineering Tripos (MET) for my third and fourth years. I am very interested in the design process and product design. The course gives a grounding in both business and manufacturing processes. I really love the manufacturing course here as we get the chance to work with people from industry as well as academic staff. We have made a lot of visits to factories and I really feel that I have learnt not just the process of manufacturing but also how to apply it to make a viable business. I recently completed an industrial placement in a factory that produces medical devices. Working within medical regulations to find a solution to the problem we were set was very challenging. It was exciting to work in a real company and know that our results will change the way they do business.
Next month I am going to Zurich to take part in a series of seminars. MET will fund over half of this trip I will fund the rest of the costs. I will meet students from other European manufacturing courses.
I will be going on the end-of-year study tour, a research trip overseas for which the students participating must find sponsorship from engineering and business companies. This year's proposed trip will be to Southern China, South Korea and Japan."