MIRA vehicle testing week was definitely a highlight for me. Getting to spend the week down at the test tracks was a really exciting opportunity and one that no other university can offer. Getting to grips with the test equipment that’s used out in industry as well as having some fun in the cars is a real highlight, and a nice sociable way to end the semester before Christmas.
I also got involved a lot with the Halls of Residence I lived in, Loughborough has a real community feel with halls taking a far greater place than at other universities. I joined the committee in my first year as Media Rep and got to plan and run the Freshers events in my second year. It was a great way to meet new people and get out of my comfort zone a bit and try something new out.
I spent a year between my second and third year out at Renault Trucks UK, working with the product team there and supporting the dealerships around the UK. It was a great experience to apply what you’ve learnt and see how it is in the real world and even got to get out and travel a fair bit along the way!
The year helps in that you could see it as a no-commitment job offer and a yearlong interview. If you find you hate the job, you at least know you don’t want to do that after your degree, or if like me you loved it then it inspires you in your final years to work even harder to achieve it!