Keya Patel
- Subject area
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
Loughborough University has a welcoming atmosphere, with a wide range of activities and societies to join including a vibrant sports culture that helped me expand my social circle. Attending an Open Day was a key factor in my decision to study at Loughborough. I was impressed by the University’s top-ranked engineering and sports facilities.
I chose to study Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University because of my strong passion for product design, which was sparked by my favourite subject in school - Design and Technology. This degree is the perfect combination of creative design and technical engineering making it an ideal fit for me. One of the most exciting aspects of the course is the opportunity to collaborate on industrial-style projects with established companies, allowing me to design, prototype and create products from start to finish across various modules. My favourite module has been 'Sustainable Design,' as it allowed me to work on a project with the potential to improve lives. My team and I designed 3D-printable arm braces as a quick, low-maintenance alternative to traditional casts for broken arms, all while focusing on sustainable solutions - something I am truly passionate about.
The teaching quality has been excellent, with engaging lectures and lab projects that provide a comprehensive education in the field. All academic staff are always approachable, offering support throughout the year. My personal tutor and project supervisors have been quick to respond and always ready to offer academic advice when needed.
Participating in the Red Bull Soapbox Race would be one of the greatest University achievements. Growing up, I always watched the race on TV with my dad, dreaming of the day when I could be behind the wheel of my own kart. The 12 Percent team was formed by members of the Women in STEM Society at Loughborough University. Our name is a tribute to the legacy of The 11 Percent, a team that previously raced from Loughborough. We chose our theme because we grew up playing Mario Kart on the Wii and we were inspired by Princess Peach.
Each team member brought a unique set of skills to The 12 Percent team with members from different engineering disciplines, the balance of everyone’s skill set made us a well-rounded team, capable of handling all aspects of designing and building the kart.
I gained valuable knowledge and skills from my course that I applied to the Red Bull Soapbox race, these included the idea generation, creative drawing techniques and workshop skills, which were integral to both the design and practical aspects of building the kart. This experience has been beneficial to my course too, as it provided me with hands-on experience in designing and creating a product and taught me how to work effectively in a team. Being the driver has boosted my confidence, pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things. Additionally, exposure to the media has helped me develop skills in handling professional interview questions, which will be valuable when applying for jobs or working in a professional environment. Overall, it's been an incredibly fun experience, offering the chance to meet new people and grow my engineering skills in a unique and exciting way.
We were fortunate to receive the Red Bull Soapbox Young Constructors Grant, which allowed us to focus on our academic studies during this period, while still dedicating the necessary time and resources to fully construct the kart from scratch.
My placement at Omlet Ltd as a Product Design Engineering Intern allowed me to design, prototype, test and help launch pet products across the UK and US. I chose to undertake this placement because I was eager to immerse myself in the industry and develop the skills needed to become a well-rounded graduate engineer.
My course provided a solid foundation in engineering principles, allowing me to quickly adapt and contribute during my placement with minimal training. Additionally, whilst University projects offered valuable knowledge, working in a professional setting gave me essential industry skills enabled me to prepare for graduation.
The highlight of my placement was seeing the first full prototype of the project I dedicated most of the year to, which gave my team and I, a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment. My experience taught me how to develop creative solutions to unforeseen challenges while maintaining timelines and deadlines. This has been particularly beneficial in my final year, helping me manage my workload more efficiently and with a calmer approach.
My placement experience has prepared me for my future career by providing insight into real-world work environments, team dynamics and managing timelines effectively and professionally. It has also taught me how to communicate with suppliers and customers, which is crucial in this industry.
My career goal is to secure a creative and challenging engineering design role that keeps me engaged, constantly learning and ideally offers opportunities to travel.