This summer, I was lucky to have a chance to work in a construction company. I was placed in the design department for a week and worked on detailed structural drawings of parts, which gave me an insight into the way engineers work and the types of work involved in the project. For the remaining duration of the time I was involved in the work procedure. This experience has given me the zeal to try to succeed in becoming an engineer. To widen my view of the engineering field and keep up to date with recent developments, I often read science journals including the New Scientist. I recently read a book called ‘Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down’ by J.E. Gordon, which helped me to gain a greater appreciation of the link between design in natural structure and the adaption of these ideas for a construction application. To explore more information on civil engineering in my hometown, I have attended some lectures on engineering, i.e. Reclamation in Macau and the modern usage of steel structure in construction. Those projects remind me of what I have seen on the construction site, such as using a steel bar enveloped with concrete to build up a pillar and the use of the beam as the basic support of the building.
I am the assistant head of house in charge of academic progress and I have introduced a new system aiming to improve the academic performance in the boarding house. My attitude towards schoolwork is keen and I will do the best I can. I am studying physics at A-level, which I find very interesting as it has helped me gain an understanding of how things in our world work, and how engineers make them. Being an engineer involves management skills as well, so learning Business Studies gives me a basic idea of how businesses are run, the challenges they face and how to be a good leader and team worker. Moreover, studying maths and further maths provides me with the essential skills required in engineering and I am planning to do extra modules in maths to strengthen my knowledge in the engineering field.
Apart from academic performance, I participated in a variety of sports and played on both the table-tennis and basketball team in my previous school. These sports have shown me the importance of teamwork and have taught me how to get along with others.
I am really looking forward to all the opportunities and new experiences that university will open up to me, but perhaps the most exciting thing is the chance to widen my knowledge of disciplines in order to prepare myself for my future career in the area of structural and civil-engineering.
