Post by Johannes Kotzee

Well well well - after five years I can now finally say I have graduated! I am delighted to have earned a first class degree in Civil Engineering (MEng) from the University of Birmingham. It has certainly been an incredible ride with plenty of highs, lows, and memories made on the way! Countless numbers of people have made my degree memorable during the process. I would especially like to thank everyone at the University of Birmingham Sailing Club for being such great people. During this time I was elected treasurer for the 2023/24 academic year and absolutely loved it! One particular highlight involved crafting a new sponsorship deal with Nautica in Europe - the club's first sponsor in over seven years! Having entered this club not knowing port from starboard I have certainly learned a lot about how to sail a boat. (Just please don't ask me to tie a bowline for you!) I would also like to thank all of my coursemates and the School of Engineering, University of Birmingham for their support. From the lecturers offering interesting insights and help in tutorials to debating with coursemates about why certain solutions to problems are better, I shall not forget these times at all! I am also extremely thankful to the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and Ferrovial Construction for giving me the oppotunity to intern across 3 summers as a QUEST Scholar. Working on HS2, Heathrow Q6, and the Norwich Western Link has given me such valuable experience in the world of Civil Engineering. Finally, I would like to thank the University of Birmingham Guild of Students for giving me the opportunity to work at Joe's Bar as a member of student staff. Having being hired with no clue how to pour a pint and working my way towards promotion to a Senior Venues Assistant where I managed the bar and other staff, I am thoroughly grateful for the opportunity to develop several skills that will be valuable both in my career and life in general. As for whats next for me - I shall be moving to Glasgow in September to work for Wood's Transmission & Distribution team as a Graduate OHL Design Engineer. Excited for what the future holds!