Shraddha
Badoni

Why NTU…

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

Being an international student from India, choosing the right course and university in the UK was very important to me as I had never been outside India. The NTU international rep who visited my city, Ana was helpful in providing insight into student life and quality of education at NTU. I was always driven to the creative side of Architecture, but my strong skills and drive was towards getting things built. As such, my course Architectural Technology gave me the perfect platform to combine design and technology.

When I enrolled in the course in 2011, NTU was amongst the highest ranked university delivering this course and had accreditation from CIAT, CIOB and RICS which was also very important to me. I am glad to see that it continues to be the highest-ranking Architectural Technology course in the UK.

What did you think about the course staff? How did they support your learning and university experience?

The course staff were a highlight of my university experience. It was great to have a diverse staff from various backgrounds of industry experience who were able to teach us different skill sets. I am still in touch with my university tutors and will forever be grateful to them for all their support.

What was your favourite aspect of the course?

A big focus of the course was to get graduates ready for the industry and be employable from day one of graduating. I did the sandwich course which allowed me to do a year long placement in London with a contractor. During this placement I gained invaluable experience working on high end residential refurbishments and new builds across London. Coming back to university for my final year after having a year out in the industry meant I was able to apply this knowledge to my final year project and deliver a higher quality project. During the final year project showcase I managed to gain multiple interview invitations which led to job offers with global consultants.

Tell us a little bit about your career since leaving NTU.

Since graduating in 2015 I have been involved in designing and delivering projects in the UK, Europe and EMEA ranging from small refurbishment to large town regeneration projects. My portfolio includes collaborations with prominent clients, including NHS Hospitals, Amazon, Intu Properties, Changi Airport, Cambridgeshire Police, Invesco and Lendlease property developers. These engagements have afforded her the opportunity to work closely with major UK contractors such as Sir Robert McAlpine, McLarens, Morgan Sindall, and B&K, allowing her to cultivate exceptional interpersonal abilities.

Currently, I am working on the delivery of the new postgraduate Centre for Nottingham Trent University. With the project slated for completion in Spring 2024 – it’s been a proud moment to be able to design and deliver a great project for my alma mater.

How would you promote NTU to potential students in 10 words or fewer?

Unparalleled learning experience to build your future and harness meaningful relationships.

What has been your career highlight so far? How did what you learnt at NTU help you get there?

I don’t have a single highlight but the whole journey since graduating has been rewarding and I have truly enjoyed the various sizes and sectors of projects I have managed to deliver for my clients. The collaborative teaching style and shared modules/classes with students from disciplines like Structural & Civil Engineering, Interior Design, and Quantity Surveying provided early exposure to interdisciplinary learning.

This exposure was instrumental in shaping my understanding that successful projects extend beyond blueprints and structures. Instead, they thrive on strong partnerships, open communication, and meticulous attention to detail – lessons that I learnt during my experiences and coursework at NTU.

What is your biggest piece of advice to current students and those graduating this year?

Everyone focuses on getting high grades and that perfect score, which is an essential element of university, but I believe that developing your soft skills and building interpersonal skills are invaluable. Actively engage & seek out experiences that foster effective communication, team building and adaptability.