Hi, I'm Wishmi!
I'm in my Third Year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Software). 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?
In my last two years of high school, I was clueless about my future except that I wanted to complete a university degree. I knew that I loved problem solving and challenges but didn’t know what field I wanted to enter. Every day, I would change what I wanted to do outside of high school. I scheduled a meeting with one of the Deans at my high school and she suggested that I pursue Engineering. Initially apprehensive, I researched and realised that I wanted to pursue a career in Engineering.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I did learn some python during high school, so I was intrigued by the idea of pursing a degree in technology among my many ideas. It wasn’t until I completed CSSE1001 where I knew I wanted to specialise in Software Engineering.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
It took me a bit longer than expected to adjust to the rhythms of university life. I wish someone told me some of the differences that everyone experiences at university, such as how assessment is marked to balancing socialising and academia.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
During my research on whether to pursue Engineering, I also juggled the question of “which university would I attend?”. I participated in as many open days as I could, attended the Tertiary Education Exhibition, and did a lot of research in my spare time. I drew up a pros and cons table with my dad and came to a conclusion. I enjoyed my tour of engineering at UQ as I was impressed with their facilities. I also spoke to a Women in Engineering Student Leader and attended one of the WE Open Day Events and was left with a positive impression. Therefore, I picked UQ.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Trust me when I say that when it comes to making the first move in talking to the person that you’ve never met, you can fake your confidence. I used to be nervous about approaching people, but I realised, especially in my first year of Engineering, that everyone else is just as nervous as I am. By taking the initiative and being the first to start the conversation, I was doing myself a favour by ripping off the bandage. I have met some of my closest friends, both inside and outside of Engineering, by simply going up to them and saying hello.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
When I think about amazing engineering, I always go back to Margaret Hamilton and her work for NASA. Her dedication in leading the Software Team to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon never fails to inspire me.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
I can’t exactly pinpoint what my dream job but what I can say is that I am really interested in the medical and defence aspects of Software Engineering. I have learnt a lot about those areas of software engineering through networking events, and the more I learn from professionals in Engineering, the more intrigued I become.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
I hope to show girls what engineering is and the amazing possibilities that they can achieve through pursing Engineering and that Engineering isn’t as daunting as it is made out to be.
