Ashlee Pearson
Ashlee Pearson
- Student type: Domestic
- Degree type: Double Degree
- Degree(s): Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Major(s): Mechanical engineering
What made you choose the specialisation/major you studied?
I’ve always been interested in how things work. I’ve also always loved medical devices and Frankenstein science. Mechanical Engineering essentially deals with the movement, function and design of machines, which really plays into those interests. When I was finishing high school, I really wanted to go into bionic and neural integrated bionic body parts. So I decided to combine Mechanical Engineering with Biomedical Sciences to enable me to have the skills to fully understand the function, movement and “design” of humans.
What was the most interesting thing about the field you studied?
Probably how to design, analyse and manufacture various items and objects. Particularly, the use of Computer Aided Design (or CAD) to produce and investigate designs. I love having the ability to easily make 3D models of my ideas to see how everything works together. Those models give me the flexibility to make alterations without having to go and remake or redraw everything from scratch. I was actually able to make a walking machine with another student for our final year project using the skills I have learnt so far.
What advice do you have for prospective students starting uni next year?
You’re the author of your own story. If you don’t like it, change it. Be yourself and embrace all those quirky things which make you the person that you are. Sometimes it’s good to have a rough plan of what you want to do, but sometimes good old fashioned winging it works just as well. It's your life. Live it your way.