Check out what Vic Hassan, a final year student, has to say about studying Computer Systems Engineering at Kent.
Why did you choose to study Computer Systems Engineering at Kent?
First, I was looking for a specific course that would express what I love doing. Technology is very wide, and I enjoy the coding side, the software side, and I also enjoy the engineering aspect. This course has computing elements and engineering elements and they’re very equal so I never feel like I’m leaving one out. I have friends in the year above who also recommended Kent. Socially, and in terms of the facilities the School [of Engineering and Digital Arts] offers, it’s good.
How is the course going?
I enjoy it a lot. Choosing a course you love is really important because it makes the work feel less like work, if that makes sense. My favourite module so far is probably the coding module. The lecturer is incredible. He’s just so cool, and he’s smart too. He wrote a book that the University actually uses for the course. He also has YouTube channels where he talks about the different exercises in the books and shows you how to do them.
Tell us more about the facilities.
The library, first of all, is incredibly big. There’s so many places you can go. If you want to work with friends, there’s an area where you can work and talk, or there are silent study areas, which are really good, really productive. If you forget to bring your laptop, you can rent one out. In the lab, any equipment you need is provided. There are instructions on how to use it and there’s technical support too, so any question you have, they will answer it for you. And then the actual lecture halls are spacious, comfortable and just designed quite well.
What are your fellow students like?
On my course, I’ve found a lot of people who have similar interests to me. We formed a group very quickly and we walk to lectures together, we even live near each other. It’s very easy to make friends.
Are you in any societies?
I’m involved in the Engineering Society, University of Kent Football, and the African-Caribbean Society (ACS). Some of my friends are on the ACS committee, so I help them promote it. They do a lot of different stuff: games nights, parties at clubs and they recently won a really big award for their charitable activities. Wherever you look, there’s always something to do in terms of being social and meeting new people and stuff. You just have to be open-minded to it.
Have you been able to do any work experience or internships?
I have a LinkedIn account and on there I update different things that I do. Employers or recruitment agencies would then get in touch and ask if I’m interested in work they’ve got. Over the year, I do insight weeks or vacation schemes. I did a summer internship last year as a software developer with [financial services company] Legal & General. They were really friendly and taught me a lot. I was able to see the things I was learning at university being placed in a real-life experience.
What are your career plans?
There’s so much you can do. I’ve managed to knock it down to three main things, and I’m still trying to pin it down to one. One option would be software development, so that’s just pure coding and on the software side of things, front end and back end. The second option would be software engineering, which is more practical stuff, with a more physical and hands-on aspect to your work. And the last one would be cyber security. So that’s just focusing purely on networks and watching out for different threats. I’ve got an internship at a cyber defence company this summer but they’re open to me learning about the other areas I’m interested in too. They really like to employ Kent students.
What advice would you give somebody thinking about coming to Kent?
I would say be positive, be open-minded, be active, be involved in societies because it’s always good to have a hobby. Sometimes uni work can get to you, so it’s always good to have something to relieve stress or release tension and just calm yourself down so you’re ready for work again. Don’t waste any opportunities, and enjoy first year because it goes by very quickly.