Development and Alumni

Alumni Network Case Studies

Successful Graduates from the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

Helena Hutt
2002 B.Eng (Hons) Electrical Engineering
Current Occupation: Engineer, Thames Water

Helena Hutt graduated from UEL with her B.Eng (Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering in 2002 and was awarded the title of Young Women Engineer of the Year by the Institute of incorporated Engineers (IIE).

Helena, grew up in Stratford, and her parents George and Louisa and her brother Stephen still live on Caister Park Road. Stephen works as a Design Engineer with BOC, and is planning to start a degree at UEL also. Helena attended Portway primary School and Lister Community School. From an early age, was interested in mechanics and engineering, and chose GCSEs maths technology and sciences so she could get an apprenticeship. At the age of 16, She joined Tate & Lyle on an apprenticeship, before moving to Thames Water and enrolling at UEL as a part-time student sponsored by the company. Since graduating, she has continued working full-time for Thames Water and was recently promoted to Control & Instrumentation Project Engineer. This involves designing new and updated water treatment processes.

Michael Worgs
2006 BSc (Hons) Computing
Current Occupation: Founder and Director, Computer Technicians Ltd, Knowledge Dock

Michael is the founder and director of his own company - Computer Technicians Ltd. The company provides a service to private and business clients, by assisting them with all their computer or IT needs and requirements, through their technicians. The company can help with a wide range of services, from virus protection and internet security, data protection and bespoke software development. Michael runs his business from the HotHatch in our Knowledge Dock, which houses office space for up and coming businesses.

Michael studied at UEL because he felt it offered him the opportunity and flexibility to gain a degree and in particular to give him the specific skills he required for his chosen career aims. Michael was able to start his own business with the help of the staff at Knowledge Dock, in particular, Thorsten Klein who is the Business Incubation Manager. He says of his time at UEL:

"UEL has given me the confidence I need to pursue my career objectives. At UEL I also gained a lot of experience from working on software projects that assisted me greatly in successfully completing a placement year at British Telecom as an Analyst programmer. Again I value the support I received from placement coordinator Alton Metzger and other staff....My greatest achievement so far has been setting up my business with the help of the Knowledge Dock team".

Michael has come back to UEL and spoken about his inspirational story to current students and helped them improve their career development and make the most of their time at UEL. He says "No matter how far the road seems just stick it out. I completed four years which included my placement year and I can’t believe it’s over. Also if you get the chance to do a placement year I highly recommend it. This can give you some direction as to where you may want to take your career. UEL is a great University...overall I value the experience I have gained and the support I have received from staff"

James Kavanagh
1998 BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping Sciences
Current Occupation: Director Land Group, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

James Kavanagh MRICS C.Geog MinstCESCEnv, is Director Land Group (Environment, Geomatics, Minerals & Waste, Planning & Development, Rural) at RICS

James is a Chartered Land Surveyor, Chartered Geographer and Chartered Environmentalist. James studied for a HNC and HND at Bolton Street, Dublin, Ireland before coming to the UK in the the late 1980’s. He has worked on some of the largest engineering projects in Europe, including Canary Wharf and Broadgate - London and spent several years mapping refugee camps in the Middle East whilst working for the United Nations. After returning fro the Middle East, James started a BSc(Hons) in Surveying and mapping in 1996 and gained a higher 2:1 in 1998. He has broad experience of surveying in many countries around the world, including the Seychelles, Belgium, Palestine, Philippines, Syria, and Egypt . James is currently Director of Land, within the Faculties and Forums department of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Land Group covers the specialist survey areas of Environment, Geomatics, Minerals and Waste Management, Rural and Planning & Development and contains over 26,000 members

“Wherever I’ve worked across the globe, I’ve always bumped into former University of East London students who are now succeeding in a wide variety of fields.

“I found UEL a very warm and welcoming environment, where the staff always encouraged me to develop a positive attitude and make the most of my talents. It's no surprise to see so many graduates doing well in the world of work.”

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© 2008