Hi, I’m Pamela!
I’m a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Mechatronics Engineering student. I joined the Women in Engineering Student Leaders to give advice about mechatronics engineering and support future students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
I’ve always loved science and maths and the idea of applying the knowledge I learnt in these classes to help shape the future of society inspired me to choose engineering. Some of my favourite teachers also had engineering backgrounds and one of UQ’s Women in Engineering program events gave me the opportunity to really see all the different facets of engineering and the impact I can make through it.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I chose Mechatronics Engineering because it combines various aspects of different disciplines into one degree. Big Hero 6 was one of my favourite movies growing up and the Mechatronics specialisation seemed like it could help me create cool inventions that help society like the characters in the film. When I heard about the versatility of the specialisation and the range of mechanical and electrical engineering courses I could take, as well as the different design projects involved, I knew it was the right choice for me.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
Despite the big jump in terms of content intensity from high school to university, the most important thing to remember is that uni is basically a choose your own adventure book. There’s no one forcing you to attend classes so it’s super important to hold yourself accountable and be in charge of your learning and goals. There are lots of resources, help, events and opportunities available if you are willing to look and research. Don’t be afraid to ask for help early on as having a strong start for the semester and understanding the fundamental concepts early on will make the end content so much more digestible and interesting. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there as it can lead to heaps of unexpected opportunities and lifelong friendships.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
UQ really had a strong initiative in encouraging girls into the field of Engineering and they frequently came to my school to present opportunities available for women interested in studying it. Coming from STEM classes that were male dominated, I was always made to feel like I didn’t belong in that space. Having a dedicated Women in Engineering program really encouraged me to choose UQ as it showed me that there is a supportive community for me within the field where I can be uplifted and set up for success. I was part of a cohort of girls in my high school who got to experience a whole day of workshops on campus and the initiative and drive of the students that led them showed me that I would be able to find like minded people within the university.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Show up! It’s super easy to take advantage of the flexibility of university, but by not rocking up to classes you’re missing out on heaps of opportunities to connect with your peers, find friends and really immerse yourself in the learning content and the community. Turning up to campus will make your experience 10 times better and will help set a routine and help you be involved. It’s the easiest way to make friends which for me really helped in making the work so much less daunting as I knew we were all going through it together.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
I think the Curiosity rover and any of the Mars rovers are such incredible feats of engineering and exemplify the human spirit and resilience. The complexity of their design and all the logistics that come with their launch, landing, maintenance and autonomous operation is honestly such an amazing example of how engineering can facilitate the integration of robotics, automation, communication systems powered by human ingenuity and determination. Learning about all the design constraints and considerations that come with even just creating a functional Mars rover just makes me in awe of all the possibilities that engineering can help realise.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
The reason I chose engineering was to make real and positive impact for our society. I would love to work on autonomous systems that facilitate more sustainable practices in mining sites across Australia, which are typically notorious for having detrimental impacts to the environments and communities they are located in. With mining being an essential industry for Australia, I would love to help create change from the inside and hopefully assist in the transition to renewable energy and more efficient practices.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
As a student leader I hope to create a safe and welcoming space for future and current students. I want to show people that engineering is for everyone and follow in the footsteps of the previous student leaders that inspired me to be where I am today.
