As part of the 'SWC Beyond' Alumni success story series, we catch up with Barry Donnelly, Senior Engineer at Cundall about his time at South West College.
Barry completed a Foundation Degree in Architectural Engineering and Energy (2019 - 2021) and a BEng Building Services with Sustainable Energy Top Up (2021 - 2023)
Speaking of his time at the college, Barry said:
"As
a mature student returning to study following 19 years working on site was
daunting. However following enrolment at South West College to study Foundation
Degree in Building Services and then on to the Level 6 top-up BEng in Building
Services, I soon found out it was one of the greatest steps in my career.
Initially
it was difficult balancing study with a full-time job and 3 children,
particularly when I was fairly new to the position of resident engineer with my
employer Cundall. However, the course was well run, and modules delivered
allowed me to learn new and complex calculations and techniques relevant to my
new occupation. This enabled me to become a better engineer and gain further
confidence to progress in my role to the best of my
capabilities.
I
found that lecturers were competent, with a great deal of experience in the
field of study, some were former building services engineers, and in some
cases, others still working with in the profession.
As
I have progressed, I am still employed by Cundall and have advanced to Senior
Building Services Engineer, leading my own projects and project teams, with an
eye on gaining Chartership with an affiliated Building services institution."