Rafaella spent almost 10 years as a student at Bath, having graduated from her master’s and continuing on to pursue a PhD in open-source hardware development research.
As a Cypriot moving abroad for her studies, she quickly learnt how to be independent and self-reliant, and thrived in the University environment.
Read her full story below.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
I loved the city, the campus and the five-year MEng sandwich course.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
I didn’t have any particular career in mind, but I knew that I loved science and maths and wanted to work on practical, problem-solving projects.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?
I had an amazing experience studying at Bath, so much so that I stayed to do a PhD as well, totaling almost 10 years as a student at the University. Some of my favourite memories include the graduation ceremonies, the Summer Ball and spending long hours studying and hanging out with friends at the library.
In terms of the city, I love the Victoria Art Gallery, Henrietta Park and Alexandra Park.
Can you talk a bit about your PhD experience? What was your research focus?
My research focus was on open-source hardware development (OSHD) projects – understanding what makes these kinds of projects successful as opposed to the more traditional closed-source hardware projects. Since it is an emerging field of research, I also spend time understanding the different types of OSHD projects that exist, as well as writing a guideline on how to increase the replicability of open-source hardware.
I had a fantastic experience with the University, not only due to the financial support I received, but also the incredible supervisory support and opportunities such as attending the Summer School on Engineering Design Research 2019 (SSEDR19) as well as conferences abroad.
Lastly, I also had the opportunity to work as a research assistant on an EU-funded project for two years, which was a brilliant experience in terms of both research and gaining professional skills.
How did your studies help you to develop, professionally and/or personally?
My studies helped me become an independent thinker with strong problem-solving skills. I learnt how to work well under pressure and built a lot of resilience and self-trust along the way. As a result, this has made me a confident professional who thinks deeply and widely about problems, and values coming up with fit-for-purpose solutions.
In addition, as a Cypriot moving abroad for my studies, I quickly learnt how to be independent and self-reliant; it’s an experience I would encourage everyone to explore if they get the opportunity to do so!
Describe your career journey since graduating. What is a typical day like in your current role?
I have been working in technology consulting at Deloitte in Bristol since 2022. In this role, I help clients build fit-for-purpose digital solutions to either solve their most complex problems, or products to help them capitalise on new market opportunities. I mainly work as a product owner and business analyst, which means I spend most of my day speaking to people to better understand the problem at hand, identify requirements and help development teams build the right things to create brilliant user experiences.
After 11 years living in the Bath and Bristol area, I have taken the leap to move back home in Cyprus and have transitioned to Deloitte Cyprus as of January 2025.
What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying your course at Bath?
I would tell them not to think twice about it! It was a fantastic course that taught me a variety of skills; mechanical engineering is a degree that can take you into many different career paths that you may not have even heard of!
I would strongly recommend doing a placement year, as it offers a flavour of what it's like to work in industry. Last but not least, make the most of your time at university; study hard, make friends, join societies and have fun!
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