Work placement student — Himanshu Kriplani

Himanshu is studying BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a year in industry at the University of Sheffield. Here he tells us more about his placement year as a manufacturing engineering intern

Why did you decide to do a work placement?

As an international student from India, my long-term goal is to start my own manufacturing or engineering consultancy business. Studying in the UK allowed me to build strong technical foundations at university while participating in student-led engineering projects to develop soft skills.

To apply those skills in the real world and gain insight into how businesses operate, I knew I needed industry experience, so I opted for a year in industry.

Where did you complete your work placement?

I worked as a manufacturing engineering intern at Siemens Healthineers, Magnet Technology, Oxford, one of the largest MRI magnet manufacturing plants in the world. My team focused on helium process engineering, managing the smooth supply of liquid helium into the magnets.

How did you arrange your placement and what support did you receive with this?

Since the placement year was embedded into my course, I had early access to guidance through the university's 'Year in Industry' team. They provided:

• one-to-one advice on building a strong CV
• writing cover letters
• navigating assessments.

Weekly emails kept me updated on placement opportunities, and I often sought feedback from the team for specific applications. Their support, from preparing in first year to securing the offer in second year was instrumental.

Tell us a bit about your work placement.

During the 13-month placement, I led independent projects focused on automating data collection through electronics hardware and software. I also worked on data analysis and developed dashboards for more effective, data-driven business decisions. The placement included regular university check-ins, a final presentation, and a poster showcasing my experience.

What was the highlight of your work placement?

The friendships I formed with other interns, participating in volunteering events, and the chance to explore Oxford. I also had opportunities to travel for work, which made the experience even more fulfilling.

What were the challenges?

Adapting to a 9am to 5pm lifestyle and bridging gaps in software knowledge, especially since my background wasn't in software, was a steep learning curve. Outside work, moving to a new city and building a social life from scratch after settling into Sheffield life wasn't easy. But over time, I grew emotionally and learnt to manage my work-life balance effectively.

What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your work placement?

I developed a range of technical and soft skills. On the technical side, I expanded my:

• firmware development
• knowledge in embedded systems
• Python for data analysis and dashboard design.

I also learned how to design with manufacturability in mind, considering different stakeholder needs. Soft skill-wise, I improved my:

• communication
• confidence as an engineer
• leadership
• time management.

Did the experience impact your future career plans?

The experience gave me a much clearer understanding of large-scale manufacturing, especially how businesses operate under strict regulations. I also realised the critical role of digitalisation in engineering collecting, analysing, and presenting data to make smart decisions and automate systems. I now want to continue building my skills in data analysis and digital tools.

More importantly, this placement gave me the confidence to pivot slightly toward management and entrepreneurship, alongside engineering. I'm now interested in gaining further experience in consultancy, data analytics, and potentially pursuing postgraduate study in this area.

What do you wish you'd known before embarking on a work placement?

Looking back, I wish I had learnt more about Python and software tools before starting. These skills are becoming essential in all engineering roles. I also think understanding a company's work culture ahead of time would’ve helped me settle in and build relationships faster.

What advice would you give to others preparing for a work placement?

Ask questions and seek advice from others who've done placements. Don't let rejections demotivate you, if you're passionate, it will show in your application. Companies don't expect you to be perfect, they're looking for curiosity, initiative, and passion as they know you're only a student. Just be yourself and go after roles that genuinely excite you.

Find out more

• Read up on work placements.
• Learn more about work experience.