Building a career at the IfM: Xinyan's story
Last year, Xinyan Li completed her MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture, and Management (ISMM), but instead of moving on, she made a choice that would define the next chapter of her academic career. Drawn by a passion for innovation and a desire to make a real-world impact, she decided to stay at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) to pursue a PhD under the guidance of Dr Jag Singh Srai. In our conversation, Xinyan reveals what first sparked her interest in the IfM, and why she found it impossible to leave.
As an engineer and self-professed 'tech geek', Xinyan has always been passionate about hands-on activities. The ISMM course is the IfM’s one-year master’s programme, and it first appealed to Xinyan with its integrated academic and practical focus on manufacturing. She soon found that it was a great fit for her, offering a unique opportunity to witness the transformation of diverse technologies into tangible products within factory settings. As part of the 2022/23 ISMM cohort, she was afforded frequent and valuable insights into the workings of manufacturers in the UK and abroad and found inspiration to make her own contributions to the sector.
"The projects with industry partners completely changed how I approach people and problems. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me overcome my weaknesses and learn to approach problems from different angles."
An innovation paradise
Like many before her, Xinyan was enchanted by Cambridge's combination of beautiful ancient architecture and world-leading research. In particular, the Colleges appealed to her with their vibrant academic communities of scholars working across a spectrum of subjects.
"Imagine you’re doing cutting-edge research in a picturesque and historical building — Cambridge is an innovation paradise with a robust entrepreneurial atmosphere," she says. "I particularly liked the College system because it allows you to find like-minded people from diverse disciplines and create novel ideas."
As members of the IfM, Xinyan and her peers also benefited from being part of a world-leading manufacturing research environment, where students, faculty, industry specialists, and knowledge transfer experts work under the same roof towards the same goal: manufacturing a better world.
Tasting real working life
Close and diverse collaborations with industry are among the ISMM's standout features, as they enable students to build skillsets that theory alone cannot do. From the time they start in October until they graduate a year later, they visit around 30 different manufacturing companies and gain insight into a range of roles.
"Industry placements simulate real working life, allowing us to take on roles such as strategic consultants, supply chain engineers, or manufacturing specialists," Xinyan explains. "Seeing companies adopt our suggestions and tools provided me with a real sense of fulfilment. The placements prepared us for the challenges of the professional world, and also inspired me to think about what career path I would choose and what position may fit me well in my early career."
Because of the sheer number of companies students visit, they get a rigorous introduction to what real working life can look like across roles in the manufacturing sector, from the board room to the shop floor.
"Life as an ISMM student is dynamic," says Xinyan. "For example, you could be wearing a smart suit as you learn about business management in a London office one day and don a high-vis jacket at a concrete factory site in Northern Ireland a few days later, trying to understand the practicalities of concrete production."
Building a strong career foundation
Xinyan's passion for the IfM is undeniable. Since graduating from her MPhil course, she has started a PhD in Engineering at the IfM under the supervision of Dr Jag Singh Srai. She has become a member of the Centre for International Manufacturing (CIM) which Jag heads, and her research focus is on building a more resilient, efficient and carbon-neutral EV battery industry chain. For Xinyan, it was the Innovation & Strategic Management of IP module of her master’s course which inspired her choice of doctoral research topic, and industry placements further solidified her interest in advancing the circular supply chain and reverse logistics services in the EV industry. This work aligns closely with the CIM’s aim to capture value in international supply networks, and to ensure sustainability and robustness in the face of current and future challenges and disruptions.
With its comprehensive academic and industry components, the MPhil ISMM prepares graduates for a range of careers, and Xinyan explains that her peers have taken many different paths since graduation.
"Although I have gone into further research, many of my coursemates have gone into operational roles, and some into consultancy and start-ups," she says. "I am grateful to be able to remain at the IfM working on a topic that I really care about and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me — and for EV batteries."
Find out more about the MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management here.