The Careers Development Service caught up with Jasvir Dhillon (MSc Automotive Engineering 2016) to talk to him about his career progression since Cranfield, and to find out why his employer has decided to partner with the Career Development Service for their recruitment initiatives.
Can you give us a brief overview of IPG Automotive?
IPG Automotive make software and test systems which are used for virtual test driving; it allows customers to simulate a real-world vehicle inside the virtual environment.
Tell me a bit about the positions for which you are recruiting?
The positions range from Engineers to Project and Product Managers. Early careers roles are aimed at new alumni, who are willing to solve real-world problems by using the technical knowledge they gained at Cranfield.
Why are you recruiting for so many positions right now?
The software IPG produces is very attractive to OEMs and Suppliers, and everyone’s realising how useful this can be in their processes. Because of this, our customer base is rapidly expanding.
What are the challenges in recruiting the right people to your company?
We do not need people with a one-dimensional mindset: what we need is people with good technical skills plus a head for business. They need to be able to communicate with people from different cultures and be able to speak to a wide range of hierarchies within organisations.
How does partnering with Cranfield help you to solve these challenges?
The first example I can give is myself; I am a product of Cranfield and I’m proud of it! I gained good exposure to the (automotive) industry, which makes Cranfield the ideal place for us to recruit: because we know that the students have had the same kind of start as me. The good thing about the courses at Cranfield is that they address the industry demands, with direct input from people who are working in the field. That makes it an ideal institution to partner with.
Tell me about your own experience at Cranfield?
My best friends today are from Cranfield University, I’m still in touch with them and we still travel together. The best part is, they are in the same industry as me and we have a lot to relate about. I am so glad I was part of this University, not just because of the technical training but because I made so many friends and it’s helped me in many different dimensions.
Did you use the Career Development Service? If so, how?
Yes, they’re still in touch with me today! In the beginning, I dreamt of working at a big company but didn’t know where to start; this is where the Career Development Service helped. They encouraged me to go to different events, and I got in touch with employers looking for people like me. I also had 1:1 advice from Career Development Managers about my CV, and they gave detailed feedback. As a busy student, you can tend to underestimate the importance of accuracy. Every little bit of advice helps.