With the current changing world, it is inevitable that electrical engineering will play an
integral role in society. I want to be a part of this and therefore want to pursue a career in
engineering. As a result, I am currently undertaking an Engineering and Electrical course at
Cardiff and Vale college and have taken part in engineering projects to further enhance my
skills and knowledge.
Throughout college my passion for electronics has grown. I relish any opportunity to utilise
my new skills that I have gained to solve real life problems rather than being limited to
theoretical conundrums. The course has given me extensive knowledge of the core principles of
electrical engineering as well as areas of applied electronics such as building, measuring and
testing electronic circuits. I found the electronics modules very enjoyable and beneficial in
developing my understanding of Physics. Furthermore, I have developed a profound appreciation
of Mathematics which has elevated my interest in pursuing a career within the engineering
sector.
Currently, I am taking part in the Engineering STEM Cymru Project. In this year-long project,
I am working with my peers to produce a report, investigating viable solutions to achieve a
renewably powered BBC Headquarters that will soon be built in Cardiff. In this project I am
responsible for simulating ideas and studying the costs of ideas put forward. At the end of
the project, I will also be able to present my findings to engineers of different disciplines,
who will judge the project. This experience has pushed me to think innovatively and has
improved my ability to work within a team.
My inspiration in integrating new principles and techniques into the design of electronics has
also influenced my second project, in which I am designing and building an alarm system,
triggered by specific frequencies and making use of a band pass filter circuit. My
determination in conducting this project had started during my studies on different types of
circuits and the principles behind them. I found an interest in how different frequencies can
be filtered using an analogue circuit, which sparked my curiosity into further developing this
application as a practical project. This project has also allowed me to begin looking at C++
programming, which has proven to be demanding. However, I have found this new challenge
stimulating. I feel it has improved my analytical and time management skills, both of which I
believe are essential in becoming an engineer.
At Stanwell School I was given the opportunity to participate in a Team Enterprise Project,
which involved designing and making a product to sell at the school's open day, alongside my
peers. My appointed tasks in the project were to schedule team meetings, conduct market
research and sell the products. The project was successful, and my team and I were able to
sell all our products, and the profit generated was donated to Cancer Research UK. I believe
that team-work is the essence of being a successful engineer, because in many projects
engineers from different professions must work together. I feel that this project has improved
these skills greatly as well as my communication skills.
I have also volunteered at the Tenovus Cancer Care Charity Shop in Penarth. An invaluable
experience, my time there proved my punctuality, reliability and commitment to the tasks which
I had been set. All attributes I believe are important in an engineer.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing football and have a keen interest in reading about the
history of engineering, in particular, Pavel Yablochkov, whose dedication to engineering I
find inspirational.
In the future I wish to pursue a career in electronics and I feel that an Electrical and
Electronic Engineering degree will be the first step in giving me this opportunity.
Furthermore, I trust this course will prepare me for my career beyond.