First Year Uni Life
The transition from high school to your first year of uni can be an exciting, yet daunting process. There are no teachers to make you do your homework and it may also be your first time away from home. You’re probably turning 18 too, and this, combined with having no one telling you what to do for the first time in your life can get you into a fair bit of trouble! You’re no longer recognised by your name, but rather an impossible-to-remember 8-digit number, you will soon realise “blackboard” no longer refers to the thing you write on with chalk and you have to decipher a bunch of acronyms like HECS, GPAs and SWOTVAC! But if you can pull yourself away from the seemingly endless soucial outings long enough, you’ll see your first year of uni is just the start of an adventure taking you to your ultimate career destination. For engineering and science students, it’s also the year to make some important decisions about what area you would like to specialise in. Check out our blogs to see how we’re coping in taking our first steps towards a career in the minerals and energy sector!
Peter
I plan on studying mechatronic engineering at UQ. I grew up in a country town near Boonah but have since moved down to Brissy to live on campus which I’m enjoying immensely! Uni life is great - I love playing a bit of sport, hitting up the gym and of course, nights out on the town - all while getting to study the most interesting topics. I look forward to the amazing opportunities our generation of engineers are presented with. There are so many pressing global issues and we are the ones that will come up with the solutions!
Kimberley
I grew up in Zimbabwe but I've been happily settled in Brisbane for six years now. I'm at UQ studying engineering with plans to major in mechatronics, because turning machinery into giant robots sounds pretty awesome. Speaking of awesome, so is bungee jumping, abseiling and white-water rafting, three things I don't get enough of in my life. I usually have to settle for reading a romance novel or tinkering with my computer for entertainment, and hanging out with all the quirky new people I've been meeting at uni, of course!
Ian
I was born in Antofagasta, Chile and have since moved around quite a lot, living in Perth, Auckland, Mackay and the mining town of Dysart in central Queensland, before ending up in Brisbane. I am studying engineering and science at UQ and hope to become a chemical engineer and eventually work in the petroleum industry. This is my first year studying engineering, and although it may be difficult, I would definitely like to get vocational work to increase my exposure to this field. My interests include music and soccer and my life’s been pretty busy so far between these two hobbies and uni work. I’m looking forward to finishing and someday doing research into alternative energy sources for the future.
Blake
I've lived all my life in Rocksberg, 50 kilometres north of Brisbane and travel to and from uni everyday. I’m in my first year of engineering at QUT and hope to specialise in civil next year. Outside of uni I have been heavily involved in athletics, representing Queensland at nationals six times for long jump and winning three gold medals. As an engineer, I can look forward to having a career I am proud of and one that will take me to all corners of the globe.
Sam
I was born in Gladstone and have lived here my entire life. I am currently studying engineering at the Gladstone campus of CQUniversity and plan to major in mechanical engineering next year. I enjoy living in Gladstone as there are many opportunities for work and there is always a need for more engineers. It is also nice to live 20 minutes away from one of the best barra impoundment dams in the world!
Daniel
I am in my first year at CQUniversity studying engineering, with plans to specialise in mechanical. From growing up in Mackay I have been lucky enough to witness firsthand the impact the mining boom has had on the region. While at uni I hope to gain some practical experience and be part of such a rapidly growing industry. In the future I can see myself working on massive projects at mine sites all over the country.
Louise
I fell in love with geology in grade nine when we did a compulsory subject about mining. It was extremely interesting for me (helped mainly by my eccentric geology teacher) and after that I based all of my senior subjects around science and geology and decided to continue my interest into university. When I was young my dream job was to “help animals”, but as I grew older I decided to concentrate on rocks, which are equally interesting, but scratch, bite and eat less! In five years time I wish to be employed as a geologist and, although I am not sure in which area just yet, I hope that vacation work will give me a better idea.
Aaron
I'm from the town of Ingham in North Queensland and in my spare time I mostly enjoy hanging out with my mates. Next year I would like to major in either electrical or civil engineering, but I think I would probably find electrical more interesting. University is a huge change from high school. I have found I need to be so much more independent and disciplined, especially when it comes to study. The best advice I could give is work smart, not hard. Figure out what the best way is for you and get some good study habits going. That’s the great thing about uni – what you do and how you learn is really up to you!
Daniel
I’ve been a Brisbane local all of my life and I’m currently studying engineering at QUT. I am looking forward to spending my holidays participating in work experience out at the mines, as I see this as an important step in securing a future within the mining and energy sector. In five years time, I hope I am not living at home because this will probably indicate I haven’t gone very far in my career. Whether I am up north, out west or in an entirely new country, I will embrace the situation. With the prospect to someday work around the world it’s hard not to be excited!
