Turning engineering curiosity into career ambition: Martin Bowers’ journey in electronics
From a fascination with family electronics to a future in design and innovation, Martin Bowers is powering his passion through Electronic Engineering at the University of Warwick.
For Martin Bowers, engineering has always been the perfect blend of theory and practice.
“I’ve always enjoyed being hands-on and practical,” he explains. “And I loved the calculation and theory aspects of physics and maths. For me, engineering was the marriage of the two worlds—I enjoyed finding answers and creating solutions.”
Now in his final year of an MEng in Electronic Engineering at the University of Warwick, Martin’s curiosity that once saw him captivated by his family’s computer has grown into a full-blown career path. A natural inquisitiveness towards household electronics led Martin to choose electronic engineering. His curiosity about the inner workings of the family computer sparked an interest with electronics, driving him to learn more about the intricacies of electronic systems.
“I was always curious about how electronics worked; I wanted to go beyond using them and start understanding and building them.”
Learning and thriving at Warwick
Martin thrives on the variety his degree offers.
“I find every module interesting as they all dive into different aspects of electronics,” he says. “Coursework where I get to design a solution to a problem is my favourite—there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating a working model or circuit.”
On a typical day, you might find Martin watching lecture videos, completing practical exercises, and connecting with fellow students—before heading off to play ultimate frisbee or perform in an ensemble.
While the course is demanding, Martin says the excellent teaching staff and his peers have made the experience especially rewarding. “I’ve learned a lot just from being around other motivated students,” he adds.
Putting knowledge into practice: internships at Waters
Martin has already gained hands-on industry experience through two 12-week summer internships at Waters, a company specialising in analytical laboratory equipment.
During his first internship, Martin developed a thermally stable RF voltage detector, following the process end-to-end—from defining requirements and researching components to designing and testing the PCB.
His second internship saw him develop a UART connection to a PC, work with FPGA ADCs, and design a 22.5W step-down forward converter. A standout achievement was increasing the converter’s efficiency from 59% to 81% by designing a compact PCB layout that minimised parasitic losses and improved overall power delivery.
“Those internships helped me stretch my PCB design skills and gain real confidence in taking a project from idea to implementation.”
Getting involved: volunteering, networking and the IET community
“The IET has opened many doors for me, from networking to volunteering.”
Martin is already demonstrating his passion for the industry and his commitment to giving back to the community by actively taking part in many volunteering opportunities.
After volunteering at the IET’s FIRST® LEGO® League regional tournament in Coventry, Martin shared, “It was amazing to see the enthusiasm of students tackling problems and presenting their solutions. It was inspiring!”
He’s also part of the Warwick Hyperloop project, a student-led team aiming to design and build a model Hyperloop pod for international competition and has volunteered at the VEX Robotics competition where he was blown away by the skill and creativity of young engineers.
As a winner of the IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship, Martin has received not only financial support but also access to a rich network of events and peers. Winning the award gave Martin the opportunity to attend a professional development and networking event at IET London: Savoy Place, where he made valuable connections with fellow scholars and learned skills that will benefit him throughout his career.
A future full of possibilities
Looking ahead, Martin hopes to dive straight into a design-focused role in electronics, gaining broad experience across various fields. He’s also passionate about electronics repair and sustainability—bringing new life to discarded devices and reducing e-waste.
Becoming a Chartered Engineer is a long-term goal, and he’s already building the foundation through continued development, networking, and applying what he’s learned in and out of the classroom.
Making the most of IET membership
From networking to professional development, Martin sees his IET membership as a vital part of his early career. “I am very proud to be associated with the IET. I value the support, connections and status of the IET and know that it will be invaluable throughout my professional journey.”
“The IET has helped me build soft skills, stay informed about the latest advances in engineering and technology, and access career resources that guide my next steps.”
He regularly uses the IET’s careers hub for advice and help with job searching, reads E+T magazine, and finds value in hearing from other scholars and professionals.
Final thoughts
Martin’s story is one of curiosity transformed into action—driven by a passion for electronics, supported by strong mentors, and shaped by the hands-on opportunities offered through both his university and the IET community.
“I’m excited for what’s ahead. I want to keep learning, designing, and solving real-world problems through engineering.”