Hi, I'm Jasmine!
I'm in my Second Year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with a major in Chemical. I caught up with the Women in Engineering team to chat all things engineering and offer my advice to new engineering students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
My Nanna was my inspiration for chooMy current favourite example of engineering would have to be from this article from UCLA that I recently read about these wearable gloves that translate sign language into speech in real time. I thought this was a great example of not just amazing engineering but also accessible engineering. Technology like this would allow deaf people to be able to communicate in sign language to people that don’t understand sign. On a similar note, I’ve also seen glasses that translate speech to text real time, which would make a lot of lives much easier. sing my career in engineering. As a child hearing about my grandmother’s pacemaker, I was always fascinated with the connection between human health and medical devices. The idea of a machine that would be able to detect when my grandma’s heart would fail and then be able to start it again (without human interference) was so intriguing. Therefore, when researching career pathways, I knew that engineering would fit all the criteria for my future career.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
Although my dad is a civil engineer, I never considered a career in engineering until I was in Year 10, where upon researching careers, I realised how broad and varied engineering actually is, and that what my dad does is only a small section of a diverse field. I always enjoyed Maths and Science and for me, Chemical Engineering was the perfect combination of all my interests.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
Going into University, I wish I knew how lovely all the other women in my course would be. With having the cohort being majority men, I have found that all the women tend to stick together in classes, which has made making friends a lot easier than I expected. In my opinion, nothing brings people together quicker than a difficult class!
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
I chose UQ because I was very impressed by the Women in Engineering program and the support that it provided. I knew that going into a male-dominated space would be challenging, especially graduating from an all-girls’ high school, and therefore having specific support for women was really important to me. Other factors included a very strong exchange program as going on a semester exchange abroad is a goal of mine.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
My tip for first years would be to try to experience as much of university life as possible. While engineering is one of the more intense degrees, in my first year I prioritised my university clubs and events and it was the best decision I have made. I found that it was a great way to not only meet new people but also strengthen my friendships throughout the year. Joining a sports team like social touch for example was a great way for me to have fun, exercise, and see my friends regularly. Other events that I would recommend include the EUS trivia nights or the WE morning teas!
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
My current favourite example of engineering would have to be from this article from UCLA that I recently read about these wearable gloves that translate sign language into speech in real time. I thought this was a great example of not just amazing engineering but also accessible engineering. Technology like this would allow deaf people to be able to communicate in sign language to people that don’t understand sign. On a similar note, I’ve also seen glasses that translate speech to text real time, which would make a lot of lives much easier.
What’s your dream engineering job when you graduate?
My dream engineering job would involve travel. While I am not certain yet on the specific field within chemical engineering, I have always wanted to live overseas and experience different cultures. My dad is a Marine Engineer and moved from the UK to the Middle East for work, where I was born. Meaning that I have had the desire to live overseas and experience other cultures for a long time. That is one of the reasons I chose to go into engineering as it is a worldly career where I hope to apply my knowledge and skills across the globe.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
As a WE student leader, I hope to encourage girls to go into engineering. In my opinion, engineering is not always an obvious choice for girls, and I know that as women we are just as interested in Maths and Science as anyone else and we make fantastic engineers. Programs like the WE program are so important to help girls realise that engineering is a career option for them, and I hope that in 2024 I can help more girls to realise this.
