Hi, I'm Shalomi!
I'm in my fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Software and Computer Engineering. In my role as a Women in Computing Student Leader, I help future students navigate their degree journey.
What (or who) sparked your interest in your degree, and how did you know it was the right path for you?
If I’m being honest, choosing to study engineering was a leap of faith – I did not know what other degree to choose, and engineering seemed a smart and versatile choice. But everything changed when I took CSSE1001 in my first semester; this course set alight my passion for software engineering. I discovered how naturally programming came to me; I can sit and code for hours and do not even notice the time pass by. I’ve never experienced that kind of flow state with anything else and I doubt I ever will, so I know I’m on the right path.
As I continued learning, I started to develop an interest in the deeper levels of computing; I became curious about how programming languages evolved, how operating systems work, and the architectures behind computers. This curiosity led to my decision to major in computer engineering.
What makes studying at UQ exciting for someone interested in technology and innovation?
The opportunities and the community. At UQ, you’re going to be surrounded by students and staff who are passionate about what they do. It’s inspiring to be in an environment like this and really motivates you to push yourself to be creative and ambitious. UQ also provides so many amazing opportunities, like internships and exchange programs.
What’s a project or achievement from your studies that you’re most proud of, and why?
As part of CSSE3010 (Embedded Systems Design and Interfacing), I designed and built a remote-controlled microscope by programming a microcontroller. This project was extremely rewarding because it combined both hardware and software, two areas I’m passionate about. Seeing how my code interacted with a physical system was an exciting experience.
Have you had the chance to work on real-world challenges, like internships, hackathons, or research projects? What’s been the highlight?
I had the opportunity to intern in Vietnam as a full stack developer, as part of the NCP Program, and this has been a highlight of my degree so far. During my internship, I designed, developed, and deployed a web application for collaborative group trip planning. This experience was invaluable because it bridged the gap between university projects and real-world industry demands. It also gave me the confidence to build something from scratch that people could actually use.
I’ve also taken part in several hackathons. My favourite was a hackathon at Skedulo, where I had the opportunity to work on an existing application alongside experienced software developers.
What’s your dream job in the tech world, and how has your degree helped you work towards it?
I want to build a career in web and mobile development. Prior to taking the course COMP2140, I did not have any idea what I wanted my future to look like. However, in this course I created both a website and a mobile app which I thought was extremely cool. I realised I have the potential to ideate and create anything that I want, and this sense of possibility is an incredible driving force.
What advice would you give a high school student who loves tech but isn’t sure if Computer Science or IT is the right fit?
My advice would be to experiment. I would not have discovered my passion for software engineering if I hadn’t taken a variety of courses, many of which I chose just because the course name or description seemed a little interesting. If you see something that interests you, just go for it!
