Caroline Flohil

Netherlands

I've done my Undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering (BSc.) in the Netherlands. As a part of the degree, I had the opportunity to do my final project at Heineken Zoeterwoude. This is the largest brewery in Europe and produces around 13 million bottles every day, 80% of these bottles are exported all over the world. After a successful final project, I got offered a job as a Technologist in the brewery.

My job consisted of ensuring the quality of all these bottles produced in the brewery together with my colleagues. My role in the team was to develop and offer smart solutions to get better data from our several production lines in order to assist management to be able to make better decisions and to further drive improvements and innovations for the production lines.

Many universities all over the world, offer programs that carry the same name or offer the same title. However, I have found that even though some universities seem more attractive because they might rank higher on a list or have a more renowned name. In the end, it all comes down to what a program teaches and offers. I experienced first hand, that the System Engineering program offered here at Loughborough University teaches modules that offer a quality content and that the overall cohesiveness of the modules is balanced and well thought out.

The immense knowledge of the professors and lecturers involved in the program, they are truly world-class. Every single one of them, are at the fore-front of driving their areas and ultimately Systems Engineering forward, which I find very inspiring and exciting!

I've waited a couple of years to gain some experience in the workforce. During that time I've learned what I didn't want to do and what I might like to do in the future. This for me is exactly the difference between undergraduate studies and postgraduate studies. Now in my post graduate studies, I am able to take, absorb and grasp the content that is taught during my studies, were as during my undergraduate it sometimes seemed abstract.

I live in the postgraduate hall on campus, John Phillips, this allows me to make full use of all the facilities that the campus has to offer, such as the library, students union, cafes and the vast amount of sporting facilities.

Whilst doing my postgraduate studies, I have started playing Rugby. Before coming to the university I've never played Rugby, in my country we tend to not throw oval shaped balls. I really enjoy representing the university whilst trying out a new sport. It has provided me with an outlet from my studies and offered me new challenges in other areas of life.

First of all, systems engineering compliments my undergraduate degree, work experience and interests. I think systems engineering is the future for the increasing need for tackling complex problems in a holistic manner.

I want to be on the verge of making an impact and to have enjoyed the journey on my way to my "impact". The reason I have phrased it like this is because I already can envision what my impact will look like. I want to be involved in realisation of SMART factories/production facilities, this is the focus of the connection of machines, humans and data, in order to make better decisions and drive improvements.

A master's degree at Loughborough will offer you much more than you will expect in the first place.