Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Materials) / Master of Engineering
Who or what made you choose to study this?
When I graduated high school, I knew that I wanted to do some branch of engineering but was unsure about which road I wanted to go down. Initially, I enrolled in a Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering as I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to the additional year of the integrated Master’s Program. During my first year, I was able to understand a little bit about all the engineering options at UQ due to the flexible first year structure and swayed between mechanical, mechatronics, software and electrical engineering.
Ultimately, I decided to pursue mechanical engineering as it is regarded as the broadest option and I was still indecisive about what I wanted to specialise in. Through my exposure to the course content in my second year, I grew increasingly passionate about materials engineering and how the discoveries being made within that field could contribute to a more sustainable future. I dove deeper into my studies and wanted to learn as much as I could, which led me to switching into the BE/ME program as it offers greater specialisation within materials engineering. Since then, I have had some incredible experiences and couldn’t imagine going down another path.
Why did you choose to study at UQ?
I knew I wanted to pursue engineering after completing engineering studies in high school so the choice to study at UQ came naturally as it is the number 1 in QLD for engineering and technology. Staying within QLD would allow me to stay close to my family and learn from some of the most expert lecturers globally.
What do you love most about your degree?
I love how mechanical and materials engineering blends fundamental science with real-world applications. Understanding the fundamentals of how materials behave under different conditions and using that knowledge to design mechanical systems is both challenging and rewarding. The combination of constantly being exposed to new problems, hands-on practicals, and industry-relevant projects makes the coursework feel engaging and fresh. Additionally, the combination of a specialisation in both Mechanical and Materials Engineering provides an incredible range of industry sectors that I could enter into.
What’s been your favourite course so far and why?
My favourite course so far was MECH3100 (Mechanical Systems Design) where I worked within a small team to construct a real mechanical project that integrated the theory and teachings from almost all aspects of my degree. In particular, the theory behind gear design helped us create a functional gearbox to power our RC tractor puller. It was incredibly rewarding to be involved in the entire design process from ideation to realization and apply what we have learnt so far to design a physical system.
Have you participated in any internships / work? If so tell us a bit about it, what did you enjoy most about the experience?
I participated in the UQ Ventures Startup AdVentures program, where I worked as a data engineer intern at a small startup in Hanoi for a month. It was an incredible experience, especially being placed in an unfamiliar environment that pushed me to apply my problem-solving skills in new ways. I had to quickly adapt to tasks and responsibilities that weren’t directly linked to what I was learning in my coursework. Being able to see the unique startup ecosystem in Vietnam was invaluable and truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
