Cara Saungsomboon

"I am inquisitive and eager to learn, which fits with my Explorer and Investigator traits. I enjoy problem solving, and exploring new ideas of work, so my Innovator is useful here. My place of work sits between research and industry, so is able to bring together the best of both worlds in terms of theory and practice."

"I am an intern with the NAMRC and assist other research engineers with writing reports and presentations. I research at a high level into a wide variety of areas within the Nuclear and manufacturing sectors. I was asked to represent the centre by giving a Virtual Reality demonstration to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and I've only been here 3 months! As I am an intern at the centre, there isn't any professional progression in the traditional sense that I can take, but if there is a project that I am interested in then I am able to talk to my line manager about becoming a part of it: usually with great results! I also have made sure I get involved with as much stuff as possible during my time here. I am currently part of the STEM and Outreach team along with the Athena SWAN team. There is lots of training available in a wide variety of subjects, I could learn to weld if I wanted to for example. As the centre is spread about the country, I will often travel to Birkenhead in Liverpool which is right next to the Cammel Laird shipyards and there's always a massive new structure in the docks! The NAMRC also has a MANTRA vehicle which they take around the country to showcase the AMP at schools and events, so I am able to lend a hand if I want."

"My family has always encouraged me to explore what I found interesting, but particularly my Dad really who helped me to make the decisions in my life to take me to where I am now. I always credit the work of my secondary school teachers, whose passion for their subjects showed in their teaching and really helped me to develop my understanding and love for the sciences and engineering. I have always loved planes from a young age and similarly loved buildings and making all sorts of things, particularly Lego! But most of all, I am fascinated with space and all things related! As such, I was very interested in Maths and Physics whilst at school, so when it came to applying to universities, I was interested in doing either a physics or engineering degree. After going to a number of open days, I realised that I really enjoyed seeing the physical results of my work and decided to take the course at Loughborough. I was also aware that I would need more work experience than I currently had to really secure a graduate job, so I decided to take a year in industry and I swapped to a 4 year Bachelors with a placement year. I applied to a lot of Aeronautical and Aerospace companies until I came across an advert for the NAMRC. I was quite taken with where the centre sat in relation to Research and Industry and felt it would give me brilliant experience, both in terms of work, but also in another sector and stage of industry."

"I enjoy browsing the internet and watching videos about everything. I have been practicing Judo since I was 7 years old, and am currently working to get my black belt. I play the piano and have been able to take a course of flying lessons, of which I have flown 20 hours in total now and 8 solo!"

"I arrive at around 8:30and deal with my emails. I spend the rest of the day working on the projects that I am involved in, which often includes researching and reading technical reports, producing digital models of structures and components, contributing to discussions in team meetings and doing any other work that I have been asked to look at. I generally leave around 4pm and as I have flexible working times and I have a half day on Fridays! I enjoy being involved with such a wide array of projects. I can spend one day producing animations in computer software and the next working as part of an international group of engineers on material selection for nuclear reactors. I get to engage with so many different people in and outside of industry by giving Virtual Reality computer software demonstrations to young people and industry leaders. There is always something new going on in the workshop outside my window!"

"Post secondary education (College, A-levels, NVQ3 or equivalent) Undergraduate degree (BSc, BA, etc.) Aeronautical Engineering"