It was never in my wildest dreams that I thought of engineering as an option for a career. Maths and physics were always my favourite subjects in school, partly because I was curious about them. YouTube channels like Vsauce and Veritasium, as well as Ted Talks, sparked my curiosity to explore these topics in more depth. Each one of them has a vast range of topics that they cover, from space flight to supertasks. I was able to satisfy my curious mind. Engineering was a natural choice. The combination of maths, physics and practical applications really appealed to me. It gave me the freedom to specialize and flourish.
As part of an engineering brief, I designed a hands exoskeleton in my GCSE. The system used spring-driven joints and nitinol cable to add force to gripping movements. I was able model a part of the product in CAD and 3D-print it. During the GCSEs I obtained work experience in MOOG, Tewkesbury. Here, I created and digitally stressed tested spanners with CAD software. I then printed them out and tested them physically. As part of my school trip, I was introduced to electronic software for the first time. It was an enthralling experience and I find it motivating to see a task through from beginning to end. The satisfaction of finishing something that you put a lot of effort into is addictive.
I’ve been mountain biking for 10 years, and it is my favorite hobby outside of school. In the past 10 years, I’ve overcome many mental barriers by tackling challenging climbs and rides. I am also very active in racquetsports. Table tennis and squash are two of my favorites. I have participated in a number local tournaments, including those for table tennis and squash. My experiences have helped me develop a range of skills that are essential for group projects. Three years ago, I was a volunteer at Covies Youth Group. This local Christian youth group aims to educate boys between the ages of 10 and 15 about their church. I was responsible for leading up to 15 boys through sports and craft activities. I also acted as a role model, guiding them in their behavior. I have been involved in several stretching challenges including the Physics Olympiad, where i received a Bronze medal.