Shaun Burns

A career in Engineering inspired me to get a degree 

Shaun Burns is a BEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate and is now an Electronics Design Engineer and Engineering Team Leader at Fike UK, based in Cwmbran.  

I work with a team of 12 engineers. My role within the team is to carry out the full electronics design of new products and maintain any changes to existing on the market products. This includes circuit design (both digital and analogue), schematic capture, simulations, PCB layout, and producing manufacturing data. I work closely with embedded programmers and mechanical engineers to develop new products and solve problems, alongside undertaking prototype testing. 

When I am not doing the above, I work on developing new innovative ideas. 

I love the buzz I get when I successfully solve a problem, particularly problems which have taken a lot of time, research and testing to achieve a solution! I also love working within a team of multi-skilled engineers who all work closely together to successfully design new products. It's a good profession to be in. The electronics/engineering industry is constantly changing at a fast pace due to technological demands. There is also a nice balance between working under pressure and relaxed working.  

My most notable achievement in my career was making the decision to start a university degree. I really wouldn’t be in the position I am today without achieving my degree. 

Choosing to study Electrical Engineering

I had a conversation with Debra Meaden (Dragons Den Investor) who was visiting the company where I worked. I remember saying to her I was thinking about starting an engineering degree, and had been for the past couple of years, but didn’t have the confidence to make a start. She was really positive about what I wanted to achieve and told me to just go for it, so I did! 

I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without achieving my qualification and it builds your confidence from the day you achieve it. 

The most valuable aspect was the wide range of course content, which gives you the opportunity to move into many different engineering industries. Also, learning to deal with the workload demanded of you on an engineering degree. It really does test you and is tough at times, but once you finish, it feels like a huge achievement.