Olalekan's Chester Made Story: My journey at Chester refined how I think, work, and see my future

Starting My Chester Journey

I began my journey at the University of Chester primarily to strengthen my engineering knowledge, but the experience became much more than that. It was a period of growth that refined how I think, work, and see my future.

Gaining a New Perspective

Coming from a Mechanical Engineering background, studying Engineering Management introduced me to a new perspective. Through modules like Strategic Project Management and Strategic Financial Accounting, I began to understand that successful engineering projects are not only built on technical expertise, but also on leadership, planning, risk management and financial decision-making. Modules like Managing People and Managing Innovation made the experience even more meaningful, teaching me the value of teamwork, communication and the importance of adapting to emerging technologies in a constantly evolving world.

A Defining Moment During My Studies

One of the defining moments of my time at Chester was working on my dissertation, which explored the impact of Digital Twin technology on project lifecycle management in UK North Sea oil and gas upstream projects. At first, the research process felt challenging, especially when I had to learn NVivo software to carry out qualitative data analysis. I spent countless hours learning how to code interview responses, identify patterns and analyse findings, but that challenge became one of the most rewarding parts of my academic journey with the assistance of my supervisor. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone and strengthened both my analytical thinking and confidence.

Support From My Lecturers

What truly made the experience special was the support I received from my lecturers. Their guidance, patience, and encouragement helped me navigate difficult moments and stay motivated throughout the course. Knowing there was always support available made a huge difference in my confidence and academic development.

Discovering My Passion

Looking back now, my time at Chester was more than earning a degree, it was where I discovered my passion for strategic project management and digital innovation, while growing into a more confident and capable version of myself.

My Post-graduation Career

Since graduating from the University of Chester with a distinction, one of the things I am most proud of is securing a role as a Piping Engineer on the Shotton Mill Paper Conversion Project in Wales. The journey from university to industry felt like a natural progression of the skills and mindset I developed during my Engineering Management studies.

With support from the University's Careers and Employability team, particularly through their CV review service, I was able to present my experience and strengths more effectively, which played an important role in helping me secure my first role.

In my current position, I work within a team overseeing the construction and installation of the paper mill piping systems. What I enjoy most is seeing how the principles I learned in Strategic Project Management and Managing People translate directly into real engineering delivery. I take pride in being part of a collaborative environment where planning, communication and problem-solving come together to deliver tangible results on site.

Overall, I am proud not only of starting my career in this role, but also of how my time at Chester helped shape the confidence and skills I use every day.