Louis Chen
Louis Chen
- Student type: Domestic
- Degree type: Double Degree
- Year commenced: 2012
- Degree(s): Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
Why did you choose Monash?
Not only does Monash have the reputation of being one of the leading engineering schools in Australia, but it was also the only one at the time that offered the course I was interested in.
Tell us about what you studied – What was it? What did it involve? What did you actually do?
A lot of people ask what environmental engineering actually is. And to be fair, I had no idea what it was at the start of my degree either. Now I think I've got a better grasp of it. It's about making sure engineering projects are more environmentally and socially responsible, and this can be through various fields. Which is why throughout the course, we were exposed to many different areas of study: civil and chemical engineering, environmental law and economics, and biology, to name a few.
What was the favourite thing about the field you studied?
My favourite thing was the passion the teaching staff exuded. The level of commitment to the students was second to none.
Apart from study, what else were you involved in both at Monash and off campus? (Paid work, sport, clubs, hobbies etc)?
I was involved with various clubs and societies on campus, in particular the Monash Environmental Engineering Society and Engineers without Borders, which were both amazing experiences. I also worked part time for various state government departments, an environmental sampling company and in hospitality.
What was the highlight of your course?
It's hard to list one highlight of my course, but if I had to, I would say going on exchange. It was an incredible experience getting to see the world from a different perspective. Something I would definitely recommend to everyone.
What advice do you have for prospective students starting uni next year?
Join at least one club committee. Not only does it look good on your resume, it's also an amazing way to make long-lasting friends.
What do you hope to do after graduating?
I hope to use what I learnt at Monash to create social change and encourage industry and policymakers to implement strategies and develop technology that the public will more readily adopt. I’d also like to work with developing nations to help them reach an acceptable standard of living without compromising the environment.