Itaz Virk - graduate profile, Instrument Control and Electrical Engineer, BP

"The highlights of my degree were the placement year I spent at Intel Corporation UK and my final year project. Developing a ‘human computer interface’, which enables users to interact with the computer just by focusing their gaze on a computer screen, was always going to be an ambitious final year project. However, the support from all the technical staff made it both an enjoyable and rewarding experience, as I got four awards for it! 

In my final year I found the University’s career service to be a very useful resource for graduate job searching. It was with their help that I managed to secure a job with BP, months before graduating. As part of my job I support oil exploration and production activities on offshore platforms in the North Sea.

I find the oil and gas sector to be very dynamic and fast-paced. As an Instrument Control and Electrical Engineer I find myself involved in everything from power generation schemes and distribution systems to the advanced process control and shutdown systems necessary to produce products and reduce emissions.

Studying at University of Plymouth was a very positive experience. Brought up in India, studying in a different country and in a second language was at first a challenging task but the rewards have been great."

"The highlights of my degree were the placement year I spent at Intel Corporation UK and my final year project."