Samuel Smith graduated in 2010 with a First Class Honours MEng degree in Product Design Engineering. During his time at the University of Glasgow he was President of the Glasgow University Engineering Society and helped to set up a University Formula Student team. Samuel also won recognition from the Royal Academy of Engineering, winning the Engineering Leadership Advanced Award in 2008.

"I have great memories of my undergraduate studies - the mix of the academic rigor at the University and creative spirit at the Art School suited me massively and I feel prepared me for the real working world through providing relevant and sought-after skills, knowledge and experience"

After graduating he spent three months travelling the world whilst looking for employment opportunities and it was while travelling in California that he was able to use contacts gained during his studies in Glasgow to touch base with a variety of the design companies for which the area is renowned. He was able to secure a meeting with Apple, and after a “gruelling” interview, was offered a position as a design engineer. 

"I feel my degree from Glasgow gave me the solid foundation on which to build my career and I know without doubt that I could not have had a better start in life than at Glasgow"

However, before taking up his enviable position, Samuel chose to further develop his professional skills and decided to undertake an MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management at the University of Cambridge. Obtaining a studentship from the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition of 1851, he was able to undertake this further degree and build upon the experience gained from his MEng. The course enabled him to increase his worldwide industry experience by travelling to factories in Malaysia and Singapore. Upon completion of the MPhil, Samuel took up his current position at Apple in August 2011. 

“I have since moved to California and now reside in foggy San Francisco. I've been in the job for one and a half years now and although challenging, it is very rewarding and enjoyable. I write this sitting in my hotel in China, as I am now integrated into the organization and getting to travel the world"