Erion U.

PhD Student
Happy to mentor
Happy to be contacted

About me

Erion U.
Electronics
Electronic Engineering with Nanotechnology
Taught Postgraduate
Langwith
2022
United Kingdom

My employment

PhD Student
University of York
United Kingdom
Science and research
Large business (250+ employees)
2022

Like this profile?

Add this profile to your favourites so you can return to it later from your account.

A day in the life of a PhD Student in the United Kingdom

I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student at the university so I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD once I had completed the integrated masters

Briefly describe the organisation you work for

University of York

What do you do?

My research involves characterising resonant micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based devices in order to better understand and exploit the observable nonlinear effects. This has the potential of improving the performance of devices at the leading-edge of resonant MEMS sensors and expanding the range of application areas where MEMS based devices can be successfully employed. I also demonstrate undergraduate modules as a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) for the electronic engineering degree courses.

Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?

I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student at the university so I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD once I had completed my integrated masters (MEng).

Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?

I had already accepted my current position come graduation, however I had considered a move to industry before starting the PhD application process.

Describe your most memorable day at work

I remember helping a student while demonstrating and seeing the lightbulb go off when the concept I was explaining suddenly made sense. That was a highlight as I hadn't been demonstrating for very long at that point so it was nice to see progress in my teaching. Outside of GTA work, moments where I've learnt to use a new piece of equipment also stand out - for example passing the scanning electron microscope (SEM) practical test.

What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?

I played college football for Langwith and acted as a student ambassador for my department while at university during my undergraduate degree. I developed several transferable skills through these activities such as public speaking, leadership and organisational skills.

What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?

1) Think about what you would like to be doing in 3-5 years time when applying for a job.
2) Make use of the York Global Alumni Association for opportunities and career advice.
3) Keep in contact with the friends and academics you met at York.

Next steps...

If you like the look of Erion’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Erion a message to find out more about their career journey.

Related profiles

Julie T.
Research Associate in Structural Biology and Biophysics
University of York
Chemistry
1994
Kevin H.
Translational Healthcare Portfolio Manager
University of Nottingham
Biology
2000
Herman L.
Graduate CMOS Image Sensor Design Engineer
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Electronics
2019
Sarah W.
Former Senior Exec at BBC, now a coach and mediator
Ex BBC News & Current Affairs
English and Related Literature
1983