Mark Lewis

I’ve been interested in technology since I was a kid – reading books about space travel, computer graphics and animation, robotics; and of course, tinkering around with my dad’s poor old laptop. What inspired me to study software engineering specifically, was thinking how cool it was that people can create programs to solve their own problems. And when I read that software was used to control the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, I knew software engineering was the thing I wanted to do. A formal university education would be the way forward, providing me with the structured knowledge and support I would need – something which self-teaching alone couldn’t offer.

Edge Hill stood out to me for a number of reasons, but the location and campus are first and foremost. Edge Hill was close to home, easy to travel to, and the campus looked great – the layout, greenery and water features were a big sell to me. But what arguably mattered more were the dedicated computing facilities that Edge Hill offers and the enthusiasm from the lecturers I met – they were passionate about their specialities and took time to discuss commonalities. Moreover, the balance of theoretical and practical application in the curriculum was exactly what I was looking for.

My favourite thing about my degree is probably the project-based learning approach. I like how we’re given the chance to apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems rather than just learning abstract stuff that feels disconnected from actual software development. My lecturers are always happy to help and make it clear that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. When I’ve struggled with work, they’ve encouraged me to ask for guidance rather than getting stuck in a rut. What I appreciate most is how they’re willing to explain concepts in different ways if you don’t get it the first time. They’re approachable both during and after classes, and their feedback on assignments has been detailed enough to actually help me improve.

I have been given opportunity to work in industry, landing me an internship with BAE Systems. This internship has given me the chance to put what I’ve learnt to use, on tangible, real-world projects. I’ve been able to influence change on the projects I have worked on and have developed invaluable skills and industry connections along the way.

My degree has helped my employability in lots of ways beyond just teaching me to code. My year in industry was pretty big for my CV, but even before that, the technical skills I gained through completing a variety of projects, in different programming languages and experimenting with different development methodologies made me stand out. Team projects taught me how to lead and work collaboratively with other people. Although it’s nerve-wracking each time I have to do it – being allowed to present my work regularly in front of my peers and lecturers has been invaluable and has allowed me to hone my communication and presentation skills. Being able to convey technical information or complex topics in layman’s terms is valued (especially for interviews).

One thing that surprised me about studying software engineering is how creative it can be. The thought that it’s purely logical and restrictive isn’t true, it really lets you flex your creative muscles and come up with different ways to solve problems. And developing elegant solutions is always satisfying.

The best thing about Edge Hill is the balance between being a supportive community, and not feeling like you’re being mollycoddled like you were in school – you’re allowed to figure out things for yourself but are still afforded the support you need when you need it most. I also really value how accessible the staff are – not just lecturers but support staff too. Another thing I appreciate is the campus – it’s nice to see the greenery and the resident animals around campus, especially when you’ve been reading technical documentation and debugging for hours. It really helps to clear your head and wind down from it all.

After graduation, I’d like to continue to work within the defence industry, and hopefully take up a job with BAE Systems again. I’d like to bounce around different sectors and see what each one has to offer, as each area of defence has its own unique challenges to tackle. Eventually, I’d like to work abroad and experience different cultures – see their approach to work and problem-solving; see what I can learn from them and adopt in my own work. The foundation I’ve built at Edge Hill has given me the confidence to pursue these goals.

My advice to anyone studying software engineering be prepared to put in the hours. It isn’t something you can cram for the night before an exam. Start exploring different types of software you can build – whether that be games, embedded software, mobile apps etc. And it doesn’t matter how big or small your projects are either, just as long as you experiment and expose yourself to what software development has to offer, because that’s how you really learn. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions – the software engineering field is like a never-ending rabbit hole – there are always new things to discover and questions to be asked. While it can be a bit daunting at first, be sure to make friends and meet new people, because helping each other out when either one of you is stuck and the deadline is looming is invaluable. Plus, helping others is one of the best ways to learn too! Oh, and definitely aim for a placement year if you can – it’s made a world of difference to my understanding and employability.

The careers team was instrumental in helping me prepare for my placement applications and interviews – they looked over my CV and even did mock technical interviews which was really helpful. Also, having access to library services both online and in-person is brilliant, as whether you’re working from campus or at home, you always have a wealth of knowledge at your disposal.