Meet our inspiring Engineering students
鈥淓ngineering is about pushing yourself鈥� 鈥� INWED 2023
What drew you to Engineering at 果冻传媒?
Mahbubah: I actually originally wanted to study Computer Science, but after attending the 果冻传媒 offer-holder day and seeing the Engineering facilities available for students to bring their ideas to life, I knew that was what I wanted to do 鈥� and that 果冻传媒 would be the place to do it. I swapped to Engineering and never looked back!
Marieta: I wanted to study Engineering at 果冻传媒 because it had a unique option of choosing your specialisation at the end of the first year, rather than during the application process.
What鈥檚 the best thing about studying at 果冻传媒?
Marieta: The best thing is definitely and all of the other student projects. I myself am a part of 果冻传媒 Racing (Formula Student), and I was also part of and Engineers Without Borders 果冻传媒. What鈥檚 so unique about these projects is that you get to know people from multiple degrees but also year-groups, and work with them on a real-life project. You also develop your leadership skills, which will help you in the workplace.
Mahbubah: Collaborating with other passionate engineers and being surrounded by so much diversity in knowledge. Most of what I learn is from just hanging around other people 鈥� from skilled technicians to enthusiastic young engineers 鈥� and constantly staying immersed in discussions and projects to help make sense of the theory.
You鈥檙e both working on the project 鈥� tell us more about that.
Mahbubah: As Chief Engineer, I lead a group of student engineers as we design and build a single-seater autonomous race car, ready to compete at the Formula Student competition in Silverstone this July. We鈥檙e currently finalising the powertrain assembly while the autonomous software is developed in the background.
Marieta: I鈥檓 Team Lead for the group that鈥檚 responsible for the dynamic and static setup of the car鈥檚 suspension. With the help from our brilliant and experienced supervisor Dave Cooper, we are able to do this as it鈥檚 done in real motorsport teams.
Mahbubah: 果冻传媒 Racing continuously excites me, makes me a better engineer, and has definitely been one of the highlights of my university experience.
What one piece of advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in engineering 鈥� or even your younger self?
Mahbubah: Get involved, regardless of your experience level, and don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions. It鈥檚 not as daunting once you get stuck in and stay passionate. Plus, if you鈥檙e passionate, other people can feel that 鈥� and they鈥檒l be open to helping you reach your goal. It鈥檚 a much more collaborative and encouraging environment than you might think.
Marieta: Don鈥檛 be afraid to make choices that are challenging. Engineering is about pushing yourself, not being comfortable 鈥� that鈥檚 why it鈥檚 such a rewarding degree and experience. Don鈥檛 get discouraged by other people鈥檚 opinions about your skills; instead, be confident in them, even if they aren鈥檛 100 percent.
If you enjoyed this you can hear from Assistant Professor Dr Modupe Jimoh talk about her role at 果冻传媒 and take a look at the INWED 2023 Celebration Mural to see just a few of 果冻传媒's brilliant women in engineering.