Thomas Mgbor
- Subject area
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
From a young age, I was fascinated by how things work, which led me to pursue Product Design at GCSE. One of my peers once said "I can imagine you doing this as a job." It was that comment that made me realise that this was the career path I wanted to pursue. I became increasingly intrigued by the process behind product design, which sparked my interest in engineering.
Before starting at Loughborough, I took a gap year working at Batch.Works, a design and manufacturing studio specialising in 3D printing. This experience gave me valuable insight into production, research and design and provided me with a solid foundation prior to commencing my degree. I chose Loughborough University because it offered a combination of academic modules and practical projects, which seemed like the perfect fit for my ambitions.
During the Product Design Engineering course at Loughborough, some of the exciting opportunities include gaining an understanding of the specific materials used to create new products and learning why they are chosen. You'll also have the chance to prototype and develop innovative products using state-of-the-art facilities, as well as explore the entire design process from start to finish. My favourite module was 'Application of Product Design' in my second year. It offered an in-depth design process with a challenging real-world brief. The project was supported by Design Consultants, who shared their expertise and highlighted the industrial relevance of the work. We were also mentored by two MEng students and a group academic supervisor, who all provided valuable guidance and advice throughout the year.
The academic staff at Loughborough are highly knowledgeable and approachable, with a clear passion for their subject. They emphasise the real-world relevance of what we’re learning. I have also been allocated a personal tutor, who has been incredibly helpful, ensuring I fully grasp new concepts and encouraging me to reach my full potential. Additionally, technicians are very supportive and are always available to offer guidance, when needed.
The facilities are world-class, providing everything you need to prototype and design virtually anything. Truly, your imagination is the only limit!
The campus truly feels like home and much of that is thanks to the people. There’s always something happening on campus that you can get involved in, which keeps it vibrant and dynamic. It’s also wonderful to meet new people studying a wide range of subject areas.
My favourite part of being at Loughborough is being part of a community that is truly passionate about what they do. The vibrant sports culture here has also motivated me to take better care of my health, with so many people actively participating in sports. Additionally, my time at Loughborough has expanded my understanding of the professional opportunities available after graduation, as I have learnt from the successful careers of those who have come before me.
During my time at Loughborough University, I’ve had numerous opportunities to develop my professional skills.
Firstly, I became the Wolfson School Undergraduate President/Representative. This experience has helped me develop leadership, communication and organisational skills. I've developed skills in problem-solving, managing responsibilities, collaborating effectively in teams and advocating for my peers.
In the summer of 2023, my personal tutor helped me to organise a summer internship with the Intelligent Automation Centre, where I was able to showcase my work at the 3D Metrology Conference in Bilbao. Along with two other students, we developed a low-cost cobot fringe projection 3D scanning system. We also produced a Poster Book that showcased our research and we were also involved with a Lab Open Day which enabled us to present our research and offered opportunities for networking. This internship allowed me to expand my knowledge in metrology, robotics and coding, while also providing valuable hands-on experience working with industry partners.
After being inspired by the placement stories at Loughborough University, I was eager to gain more engineering experience, which led me to undertake an further internship at Batch.Works in the summer of 2024. I was able to directly use what I had learnt at University and apply it to an industrial environment to identify, research and present strategies to address production challenges.
Additionally, I was honoured to receive the prestigious Engineering Leaders Scholarship (ELS) by the Royal Academy of Engineering. This recognition not only filled me with pride but also provides me with funding for career-related personal development activities, as well as valuable mentoring, training and networking opportunities. Personally, I hope to use it to enhance my design portfolio, complete an internship abroad, gain deeper industry insights and improve my German language skills. For future Engineering Leaders Scholarship (ELS) applicants, my advice would be to focus on what makes you unique. It is important to reflect on the skills gained through your studies and show how you’ve applied them in real-world situations, back your claims with concrete examples to highlight your leadership potential.
In November 2024, I was also proud to receive the Institution of Engineering and Technology's Future Talent Boost Award. As part of this recognition, I will attend an event where I'll have the opportunity to network and meet fellow scholars and receive my certificate. This opportunity came about after I applied, submitting a series of questions along with a reference from my personal tutor. I was eligible to apply due to my course being accredited by the IET and having achieved a minimum of 70% after my second year of studies.
In the future, I plan to work in the industry for around 10 years before starting my own design consultancy firm. Loughborough will provide me with the skills to excel in the industry and foster the entrepreneurial mindset needed to launch my own business.
My advice for anyone considering the Product Design Engineering course is to manage your time effectively, push yourself to reach your full potential and apply what you learn beyond the lecture hall.