Hi, I’m Maria Denise!
I'm in my second year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Software Engineering. I joined the Women in Engineering Student Leaders to give advice about software engineering and support future students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
Growing up, I was always the creative child out of my four siblings, I was known as the “artistic one.” In Year 6, our school introduced us to an online course called CS First, where we learned the basics of coding through Scratch. I loved the idea of building something from scratch that other people could enjoy. I discovered how cool it was to create something out of nothing — or in this case, out of Scratch. That passion carried on, and I started making little games on my own with an app called Hopscotch. From there, I knew I wanted a career where I could use my maths and tech skills to solve real-world problems, and engineering just felt like the perfect path.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
My engineering major is software systems. For me, software engineering combines creativity with problem-solving. It’s a way to take my childlike imagination and use it to create real solutions that can make a difference. Some people think STEM isn’t creative, but I believe engineering is one of the most creative fields and it just uses a different medium such as maths and science. That’s why I chose it, and it’s why I’m so excited about the path I’m on.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
How important it is to socialise with the people and the community around you. UQ has so much to offer and you should make use of their wonderful resources.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
I actually transferred from another university to UQ, so I’ve had the first-hand experience of making an intentional and purposeful switch. I chose UQ because I felt it had the right facilities and support to help students achieve their best. What really stood out to me was the wide range of networking opportunities and workshops, which I believe help students build not just technical skills but also a well-rounded set of abilities. For me, it wasn’t just about studying engineering — it was about setting myself up for the future. Entering the workforce is challenging, but I believe UQ provides the best opportunities and environment to prepare us, and that’s why I chose to study here.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Go to all your applied classes! They’re designed to help you understand your lecture content and give you a hands-on feel for your discipline. Staying organised and actually enjoying these classes makes a huge difference, they’re the foundation for both learning and socialising.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
The Turing Machine is my favourite example of amazing engineering! Alan Turing’s paper was originally an answer to the Entscheidungsproblem, he wasn’t even the first one to solve the challenge Alonzo Church had published a paper earlier that year. However, Alan Turing’s solution was so ‘out of the box’ that it became the blueprint for all modern day computers.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
My dream job is to work as a developer at an AI firm. I want to use my programming knowledge for good. I want to advocate for the ethical and sustainable use of generative AI and data collection.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
As a WE student leader, I hope to inspire the next generation of engineers. I want to encourage more people to pursue engineering by sharing my passion for it, and by showing that it’s not just maths and science, it’s also an art form and one of the most creative industries out there. I want students to see that engineering is for everyone and that there’s space for all kinds of thinkers, makers, and genders in this field.
