Sandrine Perera
Sandrine Perera
- Student type: Domestic
- Degree type: Double Degree
- Year commenced: 2012
- Degree(s): Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Design
- Major(s): Mechanical engineering
What made you choose the specialisation/major you studied?
Throughout high school, I loved being creative and coming up with crazy designs and I also enjoyed problem solving and learning how things worked. This degree was perfect for me as I was able to explore my creativity and also build a solid base of theoretical knowledge. I also didn't know exactly what kind of job I wanted, and as the job opportunities across both Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design are so broad, this course gave me a great deal of flexibility to gain a really wide range of skills that will hopefully be very attractive to a future employer.
Tell us about what you studied – What was it? What did it involve? What did you actually do?
I studied Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design, which is a double degree. The Mechanical Engineering component involves a lot of problem solving and understanding theory, but it's also quite hands on. I've had labs based around CAD, wind tunnels, engines, even welding. It's a really nice mix of group work, projects, labs and problem solving classes. Industrial Design involves starting with a brief and from that, developing a product or service that meets that brief. We usually have one or two briefs a semester and at the end of the project, we present a model and/or video, CAD concept, etc. Across both engineering and design, I've had a lot of opportunities to try out different materials and manufacturing methods, including 3D printing.
What was the best thing about being a student at Monash?
As cheesy as it sounds, it was probably the people. There's something special about being able to meet and be around like-minded people with similar interests and passions. Monash has some great people, everyone is incredibly friendly, passionate and always willing to help each other out. I love the culture here; you really learn a lot from each other.
What advice do you have for prospective students starting uni next year?
Definitely to get involved in events, campaigns and clubs early on. It's something I wish I'd done a lot earlier. You get to make new friends and you'll gain so many new practical skills that will complement what you learn through your course. Just try out new things and you'll find out what you love and what you're good at very quickly.