Hi, I’m Penelope!
I'm in my fifth year of a Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Economics – Civil Engineering. I joined the Women in Engineering Student Leaders to give advice about civil engineering and economics and support future students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
My dad is a civil engineer, and he has always been a massive supporter of me, pushing me to do STEM and engineering within that. Aside from this, movies have had a major influence on my decision to do engineering. Movies like The Hobbit, Hidden Figures and The Imitation Game were really inspirational.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I chose civil engineering because of how tangible it is. I love that you can see what civil engineers create and really get your hands dirty (metaphorically with all the problem-solving and often, literally). It is very rewarding seeing things get made!
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
I wished I knew about clubs and societies much earlier. I only really started getting involved with them at the end of second year and being part of them (and being an exec) made all the difference on my uni experience so far. I’ve engaged with industry, gone to some pretty awesome balls and big social events, and most importantly, I’ve made so many friends within my degree. It’s great going to uni and knowing I’ll always have someone I know in my classes.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
I chose engineering at UQ because of the large variety of courses and disciplines offered. I really valued there being so many specialisations and majors within those and I felt that other universities just couldn’t match this diversity. One thing that stood out to me about UQ was also how many different combinations of dual degrees there were on offer. I was never forced to choose between my interest in engineering and my interest in economics!
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
My best tip for first-year engineering students is to get involved. Uni is quite daunting and even a bit lonely at first. You’ve just got to bite the bullet! Attending classes, going to events run by clubs and societies, and studying in the libraries are fantastic ways to meet people in your chosen discipline. Once you’ve made friends, everything is instantly easier and uni becomes such an exciting place to be.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
My favourite example of amazing engineering is the Hoover Dam. Delivered under budget and under time, the Hoover Dam is a massive dam structure running along the Colorado River in the US. It stands out to me as amazing engineering not just because of its scale and innovation but because of the impact it had on society and the economy. It provided vital water and electricity supply, tamed the Colorado River to prevent floods downstream, and provided a big boost to the economy during the Great Depression.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
I honestly don’t know! I’m still very much trying to work out exactly what I’m interested in within engineering – there’s just so many options. While I’m not sure of the specifics, I do know that I want to combine my degrees (engineering and economics) in my dream job. I want to work within engineering and have my economics support me so I can create the most value possible.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
At the heart of what I want to achieve as a WE student leader is that I want to inspire more women and girls to go into engineering. I hope to open more women's minds to the possibilities available within engineering and make it seem real and achievable for them. UQ and engineering have also given me so many opportunities in terms of career and friendships – I see being a WE Student Leader as a fantastic way to give back and I'd love to share these opportunities with more people.
