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Tennessee Renvoize has embarked on a top secret career, after her faith in education was restored by ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ).

Tennessee

Following a ‘terrible time at college’, Tennessee enrolled on ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s Foundation Year in Computing four years ago, going on to graduate this summer with a First in Computer Science.

The 23-year-old from London said: “I had a mistrust of education after my experience at college, but my foundation year at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ was crucial in making me feel like I wasn’t an academic failure.

“It was one of few courses of its kind that allowed you to go straight onto a degree if you did well in it, so that really appealed to me too. I also liked that ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ is a campus-based university with good transport links, facilities and graduate opportunities.”

Tennessee has now started a role as a graduate engineer at Roke Manor Research Ltd, a company creating technologies and products for clients working in defence, national security and global industries.

With Dex the cat

Its innovations can be found all over the world, from AI systems that reduce aircraft turnaround times through autonomously inspecting jet engines to the data engineering behind ‘Hawk-eye’ tracking the trajectory of balls in sport.

“I felt so happy and also shocked to have secured this role back in February,” she said.

“All summer long I was checking in to make sure it was still going ahead despite coronavirus. Even though I’ve started by working from home, I’ll eventually relocate when it’s considered safe enough to start going into the office.”

Other work commitments and public transport woes meant that Tennessee almost didn’t make it to the assessment day.

She said: “I was wondering if I should even bother, but my dad reminded me I had nothing to lose.

“It was stressful entering a room full of people who you are directly competing with. There were lots of individual tasks and team exercises, so you really had to want it to be successful.”

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As well working hard work and being determined, Tennessee puts part of her success down to her tutor Clinton Ingrams.

“Clinton made me feel like no question was ever too stupid and he always believed in me. He imparted so much actual industry knowledge on me and I probably wouldn’t have gotten the job without everything he taught me,” she said.

One of Tennessee’s most memorable ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ experiences was the chance to volunteer as a Code Club ambassador, helping to prepare local schoolchildren for the FIRST LEGO League.

She said: “It’s one of the best things I did. We taught the children how to code and our group took second place in the regional competition. It was a really rewarding experience.”

A qualified dance teacher, Tennessee also joined the ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Dance Society during the second year of her degree, while also teaching at Leicester’s Skytribe dance studio.

“Dancing was a welcome distraction from my coursework and it really helped to get me through my final year,” she said.

“There’s lots of things I’ll miss about ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, but I’ll miss my lecturers the most. I forged strong bonds with them and I have so much appreciation for all of their support.”