Hi, I’m Tayla!
I'm in my second year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. I joined the Women in Engineering Student Leaders to give advice about mechanical and aerospace engineering and support future students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
In grade 9 my school had an incursion where one of the presenters did an engineering activity with us, I found the activity very fun and seemed to be good at it. At the time I had no idea what engineering was, and he suggested to me that it might be a suitable path for my university life. I got home and researched what engineering was and what I could do with it, and everything I loved to do and learn about was all a part of engineering. I just stuck with it ever since.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I love mathematics and science, but I have always been fascinated by everything that goes fast, everything from planes, cars and even rockets. I really love space too. Being able to combine those two passions to do mechanical and aerospace engineering is perfect for me.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
I always struggled with friends in high school and was really scared of trying to meet new people in that first week. Everyone is in the same position though, and if I’d just known that everyone felt the same as me, I wouldn’t have been so afraid.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
I just LOVE the campus. Every time my school had an excursion to UQ or I came and took part in one of the holiday programs, I knew this was the place to be.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Make sure you balance lessons, study and your own life. Of course it is important to keep on top of your courses, but don’t burn yourself out before you get to the mid-semester break. Give yourself time each day and week to do something you enjoy and just relax for a little while.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
The incredible engineering of flight. Isn’t so cool that humans found a way to make some big chunk of metal go flying into the air, and then into space? The calculations, testing, design and learning that went into getting the human race to the moon is my most favourite feat of engineering.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
My dream engineering job would be to work in the space industry. I’d want to be one of the amazing people working on the planes and rockets used to go beyond our atmosphere.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
I want to inspire even just one person to pick engineering. I truly believe in the idea that engineering is a type of thinking, and you don’t need to be considered book smart or good at maths to succeed as a great engineer.
