In an article on the importance of engineering in the modern world, one particular sentence
2 stood out to me: "Engineers don't sit back and watch – they make things happen". It is this
3 motto that inspires me to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. As a prospective
4 engineer, I hope to be able to come up with innovative and modern ideas to meet the growing
5 needs of our society today.
6 My study of Physics and Further Mathematics has given me the foundation to explore the roots
7 of engineering. I particularly enjoy the Mechanics aspect of these subjects which requires me
8 to think innovatively and apply my knowledge to real and practical applications. Intrigued by
9 concepts such as circular motion, differential equations and fluid mechanics, I was motivated
10 to attend extension classes for both Mathematics and Physics, where I had the opportunity to
11 explore Reynolds numbers and predicting flow patterns, and measure theory. The fundamental
12 skills that I am learning will be useful across various disciplines and careers and I am
13 excited by the prospect of applying what I have learnt in the classroom, to real-world
14 situations. Another valuable extension opportunity was a school trip to CERN in Geneva, where
15 I saw cutting-edge physics and engineering research taking place on a huge scale.
16 Keen for an insight into what a career in mechanical engineering would entail, I arranged a
17 week's work experience with Transport for London. On a visit to the abandoned Jubilee Line in
18 Charing Cross, where I saw the infrastructure used in the station, I was fascinated by the
19 complexities of the systems that were in place to assist in signalling and ensuring the safety
20 of the passengers and drivers. In a subsequent week at Arup, I witnessed how engineers applied
21 fundamental scientific principles to their designs, and I was struck by how different
22 disciplines of engineering cohered to produce a final product. Working with engineers on a
23 current project, I enjoyed being tasked with calculating the heat loads of several different
24 rooms in a new building. This work experience confirmed my ambition to pursue a career in
25 mechanical engineering.
26 During the summer of 2017, on a charity expedition to Uganda, I led a team of students in
27 teaching Physics to large classes in the local school. Simplifying theories, clear
28 communication, and enthusiasm were key skills needed to convey potentially complex physics.
29 One creative highlight was using the water rocket experiment to explain the concept of
30 pressure. The children thoroughly enjoyed this interactive lesson and took turns trying the
31 rocket that I had built using simple tools. I took the initiative to fundraise for the trip by
32 helping organise a sponsored cycle and bake sales as well as refereeing five-a-side matches, a
33 role I continue to enjoy every weekend.
34 My teamwork, communication and leadership skills have been further developed through the Duke
35 of Edinburgh award programme, and I have learned to manage my time well by balancing my work
36 with other enriching activities. I am currently completing my Grade 8 piano qualification, and
37 I also enjoy composing my own music using complex software. I have taken part in an
38 entrepreneurial event for 11-19-year-olds in which our team of 5 students created an app aimed
39 at helping GCSE students revise more effectively. We came 2nd out of 15 teams and showcased
40 our product at the Growth Hacking World Forum. I also represent my school's 2nd XI in football
41 which allows me to balance my work and leisure time effectively.
42 I make sure to keep up to date with this continually advancing field by subscribing to
43 magazines such as New Scientist and The Engineer. Recently, for example, I have been
44 fascinated by Hyundai's development of wearable robotic exoskeletons. I have always been
45 intrigued by the unappreciated mechanisms behind daily objects, and I believe that this
46 natural curiosity, combined with my interests in the sciences, will allow me to excel in my
47 chosen career…