Hi, I'm Nicola!
I'm in my Fourth Year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace. 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?
I come from a strong engineering line with my dad and both my grandfathers working as electrical engineers. Choosing to study engineering made me the first female engineer in the family but having many supportive engineer role models in my family made my decision to study engineering. I did consider other pathways but my love of maths, science and problem solving made engineering the right choice for me.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I am a very indecisive person so by the end of my first year I had no clue what to choose as my discipline. I knew I loved everything from first year and mechanical seemed like a good mix of everything, but I didn’t decide until the beginning of my 2nd year right before course enrolments were due. I also chose to major in aerospace because it seemed like an interesting challenge. Going into my 4th year, I think I have made the right choice.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
Though I knew about it, I wish I read through the EAIT Student Newsletters more. Theres so much information about important dates, school and club events and other opportunities that I have missed over the years. Just in general, read your emails!
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
As a mentioned before I am very indecisive, so the fact that UQ offers a flexible first year was very appealing to me. I loved the mix of first year engineering courses, and it made the decision of choosing my discipline and major so much less stressful.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Sometimes it can feel easy to slip into the routine of watching your lectures alone from home (sometimes on double speed if you are short on time) but it makes it all so much easier being present at university and meeting other first year engineering students. The best part about going to university are the friendships you make through sitting together at lectures, working together at tutorials, or hanging out in the First Year Engineering Learning Centre. For me, I met most of my current engineering friends as the EUS (Engineering Student Society) launch party during my first year.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
Last summer I got to work at an alumina refinery and learned about the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). Not only is there a giant jet engine (gas turbine) that produces electricity, but the heat generated from that process is re-used to create steam that can be used for other purposes.
What’s your dream engineering job when you graduate?
With mechanical engineering, there are so many different career paths, but I know I love new challenges and trying new things. I have taken the opportunities over each summer to try different engineering jobs and see what I like. So far, I’ve worked in a lab, on site and in a corporate office. At the moment, I really have no clue where I will end up, but that’s the best part.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
As a WE student leader I hope to share my passion for engineering and inspire more women to pursue an impactful career. I also hope to connect with first year students and support them through university.
