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Stephen
Bonus |
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'My job ranges from lab-scale experimental work, using test tubes and jars, to the operation of large pilot plants and the use of an advanced computational fluid dynamics package, all with the aim of developing models of the water and waste water treatment processes. Our objective is to better understand the flow and the processes, with a view to improving automation and efficiency. I design the experimental work for a project, organise the experiments and then analyse and interpret the data. |
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I am currently
on a three to four month secondment to the waste water business uinit,
where I am running such a project. I am also assistant plant manager
in the Dewsbury/Wakefield areas, leading a small team on the waste water
treatment works.
The vast majority of my training has been organised through my department but run externally - a chemical engineering course, an extremely useful computer modelling course at the Atomic Energy Authority, and a project management course. I was also fortunate enough recently to go to a conference - on the use of chemicals in water and waste water treatment - in Prague, and that was a fantastic experience. There were experts from all over the world, which was brilliant as the whole aim of our department is to absorb information from universities and researchers internationally. I think a graduate coming into this team needs to be self-motivated and able to work on their own initiative. You need to be patient because some projects are long-term, and you need to be able to analyse and manipulate data and write a report. Numeracy and computer literacy are important and you'll receive quite a lot of training in those areas. Most of all, I believe you need to be creative, to show a depth of thinking. To look at the data and turn it around and change it and look at it another way - to look at something you haven't been asked to look at - that's what makes the work exciting. My ambition is
to become an expert in the design, control and operation of water and
waste water treatment processes, and I am hoping to work towards a professional
qualification in the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental
Management. Ultimately, I'd like to progress to management in a technical
area.' |