UQ graduate Elspeth Thorne is working as a software engineering at everydayhero.com.au - a unique online charity based in Brisbane.
Elspeth Thorne has always had a passion for computing and technology and decided to pursue a career in ICT-related Engineering while completing her year 12 studies.
“I would recommend UQ as the best Queensland university at which to study a technical discipline like Software Engineering”.
Elspeth enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering to further her interest in both the nuts and bolts of computer electronics and her interest in computing. In her first year, Elspeth decided to specialise in Software Engineering and has never looked back as she now has a career as a software developer for everydayhero.com.au.
“When I was choosing which university to attend, UQ really stood out to me as the best university in Queensland – particularly in the fields of ICT and software engineering”. “I did some research and determined that UQ’s reputation, ICT facilities, engineering program and lecturers were considered to be cutting edge and extremely student-focused”, she said.
“Upon starting my degree at UQ, I found that the lecturers were always friendly and ready to provide useful advice to students” said Elspeth.
“The facilities and student life at UQ were excellent and I really felt as though I was apart of a community” said Elspeth. “During my time at UQ, I was able to kickstart my career by working on-campus as a research assistant at the Humanfactors ARC Key Centre”. “This experience gave me great insights into the software engineering industry, provided me with a number of great contacts for the future and placed me ahead of other graduates in the field” Elspeth said.
Since graduating, Elspeth firstly worked with Disability Services Queensland on a superannuation software services startup project and more recently has begun a career with everydayhero.com.au as a software developer. Everyday Hero is an organisation comprised of professionals with extensive private sector and not for profit experience that all have a passion for making a difference in the world. The organisation allows all human beings to care for their community, environment and fellow man via a web portal. The online environment allows users to contribute either to their favourite charity or to build their own personal fundraising page and aims to make giving to charities as easy, efficient, beneficial and ultimately as everyday as possible. Charities listed on the website include RSPCA, Barnardos and CanTeen.
“I really enjoy my role at Everyday Hero as I have been able to apply the knowledge I learnt at UQ in my daily programming operations” said Elspeth. “At UQ, I learnt about software testing, information security, language design, critical analysis, software design and project management – all of which have been extremely useful in my career” she said.
Elspeth’s motto is “don’t be afraid to ask questions and to explore all opportunities in life; no matter how extraordinary they may seem”.
“In the future, I want to continue working on projects where I can meet new people, travel and make a difference in others lives”, she said.
UQ graduate Ben Appleton is working as a software engineer for one of the world's most recognised companies:
After obtaining a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (first class honours and University Medal) and Bachelor of Science(Mathematics), and completing his PhD in image analysis in 2005, Ben joined Google.
Google is the provider of the world’s best known Internet search engine. Since 2005, Ben has worked on a number of high profile projects, including Google Maps.
“I was attracted to UQ because of its strong name internationally, which opens up a host of opportunities for graduates,” Ben said. “I found that the first year of Engineering gave me the opportunity to try out a few specialisations and to find out where my passions were.
“UQ supports a wide range of combined degree programs and I really enjoyed the interplay between my studies in engineering and in mathematics.” Ben said UQ had one of the strongest engineering programs in Australia. “A UQ Engineering graduate has the opportunity to study anywhere in the world,” Ben also said. “The thing I enjoyed most was working with my fellow students and lecturers – it really motivated me to excel.”
When Ben moved into postgraduate studies he worked with researchers from UQ and CSIRO and found that there were always interesting problems to solve. “I enjoyed seeing my research published in highly respected journals and getting the opportunity to present it at international conferences,” he said.
Ben, who is now based in Sydney, said he was working among some of the brightest minds in computer science. “I’m constantly surprised at how theory from my studies finds its application in my day-to-day work,” he said.
“Working at Google is a lot of fun; there’s plenty of smart people to work with and you’re solving a new problem every day.”
Mr James Friend, Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) (Hons 1), 2007, says:
I had no idea what I wanted to specialise in after finishing school, and Mechatronics stood out to me - it covers many different disciplines of Engineering. The UQ Engineering degree has exposed me to a wide range of areas - more than other universities can - and as I've progressed, I've been able to focus on the ones that interest me the most.
Automation/Control Systems/Robotics is now my main interest. I've received Dean's Commendations for consistent high achievement and won an award for the best industrial thesis project in the School of ITEE in 2006. I got an industry placement with a fresh food producer and developed an automated visual image grading system to allow for robotic selection of broccoli heads. A course I did in my degree called Signal and Image Processing was very practical and helped with my real world project.
I originally came from Gladstone, and being able to live on the St Lucia campus at one of the residential colleges was a great help.
Doing Engineering at UQ opens up so many options and will definitely lead you to a rewarding career.
Miss Morgan Strain, Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) (Hons 2A), 2006, says:
I chose UQ because it seemed to be really well-known for its Engineering program and because I liked the campus and facilities available to students.
Being a hands-on person who likes to know how things work, I gravitated towards Mechatronic Engineering, as it allowed me to combine my interests in mechanical and electrical engineering. I was also interested in robotics.
Before I started my studies, I never really considered myself a computer programmer, but I did a number of software programming courses and found them interesting. I was able to do electives in other areas that interested me as well. In one course were taught to use a number of programs to control robots - we learned the theory behind control systems, but also how robotics are applied in industry.
During my studies, I gained a scholarship to complete an industry thesis, which was a great experience and provided me with valuable skills for the workforce. I've started work with global engineering company ABB. I will complete 6 four-month rotations in a number of areas of the company, including robotics and power electronics. One rotation will be spent working on a project overseas. I hope eventually to work in the research and development of robotics for industrial applications.
To those considering UQ I say 'go for it' - it's a great university that offers students many opportunities and facilities, both academic and otherwise.
Mr Tony Myatt, Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) (Hons 2A), and Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), 2007, says:
I decided to take the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) because I was interested in electronics, so I felt working in electronics would allow me to enjoy my job more. I took Computer Science because it was hard to turn down getting a second degree for an extra year's work.
So far my favourite course has been a fourth-year one where there were no lectures or tutorials - instead four projects and an exam. This meant most of the learning was done by reading data sheets and implementing the project yourself. I like this kind of learning and doing things for yourself.
I'm not really sure yet what kind of job I would like, but during the School of ITEE's annual student innovation expo I was approached by a few firms. Some of the businesses that I've worked at over the summer break are also possibilities.
I've always felt that UQ is the best university in Brisbane. From what I hear from other universities, the 'uni life' at UQ is great. It's not only a place to study, but gives good opportunities to spend time with friends.
Mr Jess Morecroft, Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Systems) (Hons I), 2001, says:
I’m currently working in London, as a C++ developer for Barclays Capital Investment
Bank. It’s great, very challenging work. I’m developing server components for
their online trading systems, and finding that a lot of the computer science
theory I learnt back at UQ really was worthwhile.
Prior to that, I worked for IBM Tivoli on the Gold Coast, where thongs and board shorts were the order of the day. It was a very casual, friendly environment, with a very professional and talented team of developers, and I had a great time working there.
The nature of UQ’s engineering degree – one general year and then three years specialising in a particular field – really appealed to me more so than the others on offer. It gave me a year to get a feel for all branches before making the big decision.
I considered a lot of career pursuits whilst at UQ that I hadn’t originally thought about – pure maths, space and mechanical, electro-magnetics – but in the end chose computers. These alternative considerations only came about because of the engaging, very intelligent and very enthusiastic lecturers I was fortunate enough to have in those fields.
UQ seemingly offers everything at a very high quality, and I think that’s easily its greatest strength. My friends at University weren’t just engineers and IT students, they were future scientists, accountants, lawyers, doctors, teachers and historians.
You won’t regret going to UQ. The people there, both students and lecturers, are at the top of their game. You will benefit from being surrounded by them. And of course, at the end of it all, you’ll have a degree more impressive than most.
What our international students say...