Hi, I’m Matilda!
I'm in my third year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering. I joined the Women in Engineering Student Leaders to give advice about mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering and support future students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
I was inspired to choose engineering after learning how much problem solving engineers do and how you can cater your studies to your specific interests.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I always knew I wanted to help people through my future profession and I believed I would do this by being a doctor. After I started biomedical science I discovered that medicine really wasn’t for me but once I learnt that biomedical engineering existed, I knew that was my personal way of helping people.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
I wish I knew about all of the specialties and majors and what they all meant sooner. I always just thought it was civil and software engineering, but after learning about all the others and what they entail, it made me extremely excited. Then it took me a year to learn about how majors worked and which ones were available.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
I knew I wanted to study biomedical engineering but I wanted a backup in case job opportunities were scarce. This is why I chose UQ because I could only study biomedical engineering through a specialty (mechanical for me) which made me feel more secure as I could get a job in either of these fields.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Utilise the resources available to you such as the first year learning centre and the tutors. If you have a question don’t be afraid to ask a tutor or your lecturer because at the end of the day they want to help you succeed.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
My favourite example of amazing engineering is the recent 3D printed aorta at the RBWH. A patient at the hospital had a ‘ticking-time bomb’ in his chest and HBI engineers designed and created a 3D printed version of his aorta and placed it in a human simulator so the surgeons could practice the surgery before they did it for real. This was life-saving technology because the surgery was so difficult and the accurate simulation allowed the surgeons to be prepared.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
My dream job is to work as a mechanical biomedical engineer at the Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI). I would love to be able to work here because I can use my knowledge to help people by solving patient-based problems in a new and innovative way.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
I hope to inspire the next generation of female engineers and show them how many different careers you can have in engineering. I would love to be a friendly face they can come to for information or even just when they need support, help or guidance.
