Profile: David Oyegbile (Field Engineer, Gatwick Airport and MEng Mechanical Engineering 2016)

David Oyegbile

David Oyegbile (left) graduated from the University of Brighton with Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering in 2016.  Along with Quico Candea Lopez (right), he was successful in landing one of only three available places on Gatwick Airport’s Graduate Engineering Programme.  David and Quico are pictured at Gatwick with the Vice Chancellor Debra Humphris.

Here, David shares his experience of the big leap from university to the workplace, and shares his top tips for success in interviews and assessment centres.

Current job, employer and length of time with employer: I have been working as a Graduate (Field) Engineer with Gatwick’s Airport Development team since October 2016.

What were your careers aspirations while studying?
My career aspirations during my studies were to become a Mechanical Engineer in the Aviation industry advancing the technological world we live in.

Did you have any fears about entering the workplace after graduation and how you would use the skills you’d developed whilst studying?
I was afraid to enter the work place as on the first day at university we were told “you would probably only get to use only 10% of what you learn at university. The problem is you don’t know what 10 %”. This stuck with me all through my four years of study. Luckily enough the independent nature of my course at university prepared me for the management of works done by contractor aspect of my job.

What has your career journey been to get you to where you are now?
I have worked in various factories over the last few years during my summer holiday, although they were not course-relevant they gave time the opportunity in my interview to show various sides of myself and show situations in which I helped make an organisation better on a day to day basis. Showing problem solving and hands on experience in some aspects.

How has your degree helped you get to where you are now?
My degree set me aside from the rest of the candidates because the University of Brighton is well known for the research and innovation. By using the innovation skills I learn at the university in form of group projects, component design, solidworks and other tools I was able to demonstrate skills my employer was looking for in potential employees.

What advice do you have for current students as they prepare to enter the workplace?
Enjoy the beauty in the struggle. Hard work pays off, and if you get a job in a field you are interested in your work becomes dynamic, important and invaluable to you and that is the only way you can put in your all every day.

What are your career aspirations for the future?
I hope to stay at my current employment and become a Project Manager in the near future which my Graduate Scheme puts me in a good position for.

Any tips for students coming up to interviews  and assessment centres?
•    After each question  asked, stop and if needed ask for 30 seconds to compose yourself and remember the best fitting example to help answer the question.
•    Do not use the same example each time.
•    Give your input in the group aspect but do not overshadow. Show ability to delegate or handle an aspect of the task given alone before then bringing it to the team to make a whole completed task.
•    Be on time.
•    Sit upright, engage and show interest with your body language.
•    Do not go off on a tangent.
•    Bring aids to help drive home your points and be prepared to maybe draw a sketch or design.
•    Any innovative work you have carried out can be brought and showed so don’t feel restricted.

For more information and advice about CVs, job applications, interviews and assessment centres, or to make an appointment with an advisor, visit the Careers Service website.

Rebecca Duffy • 10/04/2017


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