Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics)/Bachelor of Mathematics
Who or what made you choose to study this?
Engineering felt like a natural fit for me. I’ve always had a passion for maths and problem-solving, and the field lets me apply both in meaningful ways. Adding mathematics as a second degree allowed me to deepen that further, particularly through the mathematical AI major, as well as potentially broaden my future pathway.
How did you find out about UQ?
UQ is arguably the best university in Queensland, and as a local domestic student it was the obvious choice, being close to home, affordable, and offering a genuinely high standard of education with a wealth of opportunities.
Did you attend any events at UQ in the lead up to choosing to come here? If so please tell us what.
I attended the orientation day to get a feel for the campus environment and learn more about the engineering program at UQ.
What kinds of things did you want to know when you were choosing what university to go to?
The most important factors for me were convenience, the reputation of both the university and its specific programs, and cost.
Why did you choose to study at UQ?
For a variety of reasons, but the two most important were UQ’s reputation as one of the best universities in Australia and its proximity to Brisbane, where I live.
What are your favourite facilities and resources available to you at UQ?
My favourite facilities at UQ are the libraries and the wide selection of food on campus. The libraries are open 24/7 and there are several spread across campus, making them easy to reach no matter where you are and whenever you’re on campus. They’re my go-to spot when I really need to focus and get work done. The variety of food options on campus is also a definite highlight.
Have you been able to have practical experiences within your degree (e.g. work experience, industry projects etc.)? If so, please provide some highlights.
Absolutely. Undergraduate engineering at UQ places a strong emphasis on teamwork and practical experience, particularly through the team project courses like ENGG1100 and, further into the degree, Team Project I and II. I’ve also had the chance to join some great clubs and societies, UQ Space in particular, where I’ve been able to apply and build hands-on skills outside of coursework. In terms of internships or formal work experience, I haven’t secured anything yet, but I’m hopeful that will change by the end of this year.
What’s been your favourite course so far and why?
My favourite course so far is a toss up between ELEC2004, which I completed last semester, and CSSE2010, which I’m currently taking. I loved ELEC2004 because I realised I have a strong interest in control systems and signal processing, and the course gave us the chance to apply lecture theory through lab sessions and a design challenge — it was really satisfying to see those concepts and components come to life in a practical setting. I’m also really enjoying CSSE2010 right now, as so much of what we learn is explored hands-on through building and testing in the lab.
Highlights of your past year at UQ
There’s no single highlight that stands out above the rest, it’s more the accumulation of experiences, particularly meeting so many new people and building connections both personally and professionally along the way.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering studying at UQ, what would that be?
That UQ genuinely has a lot to offer in terms of personal and professional growth, but you have to be proactive about seeking out those opportunities and going after them.
Have you participated in any internships / work? If so tell us a bit about it, what did you enjoy most about the experience?
Not yet, but it’s something I’m actively working towards and hopeful about for the near future.
What do you hope to do when you graduate?
I don’t have everything mapped out just yet, but my plan is to gain some industry experience after graduating and see where that leads. I think it’s perfectly fine not to have it all figured out at this stage. I certainly don’t, and I’m okay with that.
Are you a member of any student societies / participate in extracurricular activities? Tell us a bit about it.
I am a member of the UQ Space, specifically the avionics subsystem, which manages the power and electrical side of things in rockets and our rovers, including communication, sensors, and essentially all (most) of the electronics that allow the rocket and rover to properly operate.
