Personal Statement

Introduction Science is what makes the world go round. Engineers figure out how to make it better. I love being a growing mechanical engineer. I get to help create interesting solutions to complex problems and bring those creations to life with my very own hands. I have found something I love to do, and now I plan to get paid to do it. I plan on pursuing a career in the vast field of engineering. I have narrowed my search to mechanical and materials engineering for now. There are many similarities between the professions, but they definitely hold their differences. Mechanical and materials engineering both require skills that I have acquired over the years, and that I will continue to develop. My creative and constructive side fits both of

I will have a solid foundation of math and science leaving high school that will continue to advance. I will graduate with a year of calculus, a year of chemistry and two years of physics to stand on. The course loads for both mechanical and materials engineering will include more physics, chemistry and calculus classes. I have developed self-management skills through participation in extracurricular programs on top of AP classes, as well as group management skills through The Bullbots. As the mechanical lead of The Bullbots, I have developed key communication skills in order to create solutions to the yearly challenge and solve problems that inevitably occur. I have experience in leadership roles ranging from the band equipment manager to the mechanical lead of my robotics

They are both very math and science heavy professions. The course loads at U of I require many of the same classes. During Freshman year, both courses require Math170, Physics 211, Chemistry 111 and Math 175. Mechanical engineering requires knowledge in both chemistry and physics, with a slight leaning towards physics. Materials engineering also requires knowledge in these sciences, but uses slightly more chemistry than mechanical engineering. I have always been drawn to working with my hands and figuring out how things work. According to the Keirsey personality test, I scored Supervisor (ESTJ). According to this test result, being attracted to technical work is fitting of me (Keirsey). Along with the personality match, I possess many of the basic hard and soft skills needed to be a mechanical engineer. Among these skills are problem solving, management skills, the application of math and science, as well as equipment handling (2014a, CIS). I also have had almost four years of experience in the field of mechanical engineering through The Bullbots. I have learned a lot about mechanical engineering while a member of The Bullbots. By the time I graduate, I will have served three years as the Mechanical Lead. As the mechanical lead, I am in charge of the design, prototyping and main construction phases of the robot. This means I have to figure out how the team as a whole wants the robot to