Meet engineering student Emily Campbell our ANU Student Association Representative, who demonstrates that uni really can be as varied and interesting as you make it.

I chose ANU because it offers me the flexibility and quality I require to study a diverse range of subjects and come out with an internationally respected degree. In high school, my interests were really diverse. I loved maths, economics and science, but also enjoyed the more creative subjects like english and philosophy. ANU offered a program that would challenge me and provide me with a well-rounded university experience.

I chose my degree because by combining Engineering and Arts, I could study a variety of subjects from mechanics and electronics to spanish and philosophy. The inclusion of honours in the engineering program was also important as it means I have the opportunity to do a focused research project and get formal recognition for it. The systems engineering focus at ANU is the perfect way for me to study engineering. I get to study a variety of engineering disciplines, learn about project management and innovation, and develop skills in problem solving and systems analysis.

My interest in engineering started very late in my school life. I had never participated in any workshops run by amazing groups like Robogals and I assumed for a long time that my interest in maths and science would lead to a science degree. The year before I started at ANU, I had a conversation with a student in her third year of Engineering at ANU. I had never heard of systems engineering, but with a little encouragement from her, I decided to look in to it. The more I considered it, the more I liked it and the more obvious it was that it was what I had been looking for! It was the perfect way to pursue my interest in science in a practical and challenging way.

Before I began I thought ANU was a university where I would be just another one of thousands of students. I worried that I wouldn’t be offered much support or that I would feel lost on campus. But in reality, ANU is a place that is big enough for me to have access to amazing resources, teachers and student associations, clubs and sports, but also small enough that I can have an identity amongst students in my degree and find support through them, my College, ANUSA or clubs and societies I’ve joined.

What I like most so far is the variety of courses I can study. For example, this semester I am studying systems engineering design, electronics, spanish and logic, and last semester I did some maths, thermodynamics and computing! I love that I get to meet a variety of students across campus from different backgrounds and disciplines.

In an average week I am involved in a crazy range of activities. On the academic side of things, I have lectures, tutorials, labs and workshops! So there’s even variety in the structure of my classes and my timetable each day. I also have a lot of meetings to attend. These vary from CECS (College of Engineering and Computer Science) College Education Committee meetings and ANUSA Student Representative Council meetings, to more social ESA (Engineering Students Association) meetings, and coffee dates with outside groups such as Engineers Australia or the Australian Computer Society. There’s someone new to meet every week! Amongst this, I still have time to work part-time at a GP Clinic, attend challenging fitness classes at ANU Gym and play team sports like soccer and softball.

This time next year I see myself undertaking an internship. Compulsory work experience make up part of your Bachelor of Engineering, and I’m really excited to get some real industry experience next summer. I’d love to complete my internship interstate!

When I graduate, I will have a more diverse skill set than other engineering graduates I am competing against because of my systems engineering degree and also my combination with Arts. I will be more adaptable than those with different qualifications and this is important in a dynamic job market.

My career goals include working in the humanitarian engineering field. Once I have the skills and experience, I would love to volunteer with a not-for profit like Engineers Without Borders. I also want to spend time in a role where I’m working with younger generations of engineering students and encouraging more people to follow the STEM path!

Yes - ask current students what they think of ANU! There’s no better way to get a feel for a university than talking to people who spend every day there, and I’m sure they’ll have you convinced on its merits pretty quickly.

My best recommendation to students starting at ANU this year is attend market day! Sign up for any relevant societies, clubs and sports for you. Definitely like their pages (and ANUSA’s) on Facebook to keep in the loop. I’d also recommend they set time aside to explore the whole campus. There’s a lot to discover and you’ll find a lot on a walk down to Lake Burley Griffin.