Hi, I'm Mia!
I'm in my Third Year of a Bachelors of Engineering (Mechatronics) and Science, Majors in Computer Engineering and Physics. 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 always liked maths and problem solving, I found them both really therapeutic and fun to do. In Year 9 I did a subject called iSTEM, which helped me realise that engineering is a perfect careers path for me as it combines my love of problem solving and passion of science and technology.
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I chose mechatronics engineering after watching a demonstration of robots. I was set on doing mechanical engineering since I was about 14 but once I discovered the integration of multiple engineering disciples into one area, I knew I had to study that. To improve and learn skills in multiple areas of mechanical, electrical and software engineering, then could integrate these areas together is an ability I think is the key to our world’s future.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
I wish I knew how fast paced a lot of the subjects are. Sometimes I tell myself “I can do it next week” but next week I’m learning a whole new thing. If you keep up, you find that many of the courses and its materials tie delicately into each other and if you take the time to understand the content in the moment, you have more time to appreciate other important concepts later.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
For me I grew up in a regional town where I was the only girl in my physics, math and engineering class and I found it really isolating. I knew what I wanted to study but it was finding the perfect place for me that was hard. I wanted a place I could go to where there was a supportive community and opportunities to promote women in STEM and not feel ashamed of wanting that. What stood out to me was the success of the Women in Engineering Program, and the success of UQ’s Engineering after that. I think it is one of the strongest programs in Australia for young engineers in High School and University, so I came to UQ because the attitude toward their outreach, diversity and inclusion resonated heavily with me.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Connecting with people early on! I found that what kept me going were the people I connected with in my classes who I could relate to or get help from. By going to your lectures, tutorials, or workshops, you begin to run into the same people repeatedly and soon enough you’ll find you have so many people can reach out to for help or for fun distractions! I made so many friends by just showing up and applying myself and I think that is what got me through my first year of engineering.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
I am in love with the large hadron collider at CERN. As a physics nerd I think that this collider is one of my favourite feats of engineering and physics. It has led to so many discoveries, such as the most popular one the Higgs Boson, but it also attracts research from across the globe who are working on dozens of projects. To create a collider of this size is not only a marvel, but also all of design and thought to go into its development is just mind blowing.
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
I’m really fascinated by the emergence of quantum technologies. The research and discoveries going into quantum computing really interests me and I am excited to see where it leads to after I graduate. I believe that quantum is the future of our technology and will soon enough be embedded into our daily lives. I would also love to be a part of the research and solution to more renewable energy sources, my favourite I would like to work on is hydrogen fusion.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
I want to show people what engineering is, and I hope to inspire at least one person in a decision towards their career path. So many individuals inspire me on my day-to-day basis, and I hope to make a positive impact on someone else’s future someday.
