Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering (Chemical and Bioprocess)
Who or what made you choose to study this?
In high school I was pretty good at Chemistry, not too bad at Maths and I really enjoyed Biology. I knew I wanted to study something that would enable me to work in a career where I could make a positive impact on the community and also do something that I feel could be helpful to society. Initially, I wasn’t too sold on Engineering because my belief was it only involved Physics (which I wasn’t super interested in) and Maths.
However, I talked to my school’s careers guidance counsellor and she showed me that Engineering was very broad and not what I initially thought it was. Having discussions with my guidance counsellor and going to university expos made me realise Engineering was a practical application of the subjects I performed well in and enjoyed at school. Once I realised I could study Chemical Engineering and still choose a Biology-based major I was convinced Engineering was going to be the degree for me.
Why did you choose to study at UQ?
I chose to study at UQ because it is a highly-ranked university with such a rich history in educating students, so I felt I would have access to many opportunities that would help me develop academically and professionally, and aid in my personal growth as well. Also, when I was in high school our careers guidance counsellor organised a campus tour led by past students from our school. After completing the tour I felt that one day I could see myself attending UQ.
What do you love most about your degree?
What I love most about my degree is seeing how what we study can help build a more sustainable future. I also really love how studying Chemical Engineering has helped me meet people from different backgrounds who have similar interests to me. Although we learn so much in our degree, I have definitely learnt so much from my peers as well.
What’s been your favourite course so far and why?
My favourite course so far has been BIOE1001. This course was a great introduction to Biomedical and Bioprocess Engineering. We had many guest lecturers who were experts in their field and the course coordinator was very supportive. I learnt so much more about these specialisations, specifically about the different areas of Bioprocess Engineering. This course definitely confirmed my choice of wanting to major in Bioprocess.
What do you hope to do when you graduate?
When I graduate I hope to work in a Chemical Engineering field that still incorporates my passion for biology in the fields of either biofuels or biopharmaceuticals. Ultimately I hope to have a career that is beneficial to my community and I want to apply the skills I have learnt when I graduate and contribute helpfully and positively.
