Elizabeth Dowsett

1. Why did you choose Chemical Engineering?
I chose chemical engineering because as it combined all the things I wanted to do. It was the best degree due a chemical engineers’ ability to easily travel, be involved in industrial design, work in management, logistics and have a flexible range of job opportunities that allows you to change your career once you graduate. Another appealing aspect for me was the large scale applications that chemical engineers have and how it was real and practical problem solving in industry that you as the chemical engineer was responsible for. In addition it seemed logical to be studying a degree that uses the subjects’ maths and science that I was interested in at high school as its foundation.

2. Why did you choose the University of Sydney?
I confess my sister was attending the University so Sydney University already had a familiar aspect to me; however, the major reasons that affirmed my choice were that this university is recognised all around the world and has an amazing atmosphere with all the societies that you can be a part of: worth a look through them all.

3. What are the advantages that studying at Sydney Uni has given you?
I’ve made some amazing friends for life and have enjoyed my time here more than I thought I would and I’m still enjoying the social activities that the societies at Sydney University and thus have gotten a huge array of a network with every opportunity that I could ask for. The Chemical engineering department here is fantastic as well; they are responsive to feedback from us as students and are dedicated to teaching us all the finer points of being a chemical engineer.

4. What are you studying/researching?
I am studying my 3rd year of Chemical Engineering Undergraduate degree. I’m currently getting my first taste of studying process design and process control in relation to industrial systems.

5. What else do you like to do?
I’m kind of getting quite addicted to rock climbing at the moment and go twice a week at the Sydney University gym with a group from engineering. I also enjoyed being involved in the Chemical Engineering Society where I have learnt the finer arts of barbequing and get to socialise with my fellow engineers.

6. What is the best thing about Chemical Engineering?
As a career in chemical engineering the best thing is that the range of jobs that are offer and as a student the best thing is that you get to make ice cream and beer but not together.

7. Where do you think that Chemical Engineering will take you? What plans do you have?
I’m planning on definitely working overseas and actually working as a chemical engineer in the energy sector but still no specific plans and absolutely clueless of all the places that it will take me.

8. What’s the funkiest thing you have done?
The most recent funky thing I’ve done is dress as a genie for an engineering camp and granted wishes that actually came true. I also made a yummy decision and decided that field trip to the local ice cream factory was a requirement for one of my assignments. -I still undecided on which one is the funkiest thing.

Nick Woi

1. Why did you choose Chemical Engineering?
I was at the university doing an introductory engineering course which basically gives you an idea of what you were going to be involved with the specific courses. I had the most fun while doing the chemical engineering course and I'm glad to say that I am still enjoying myself to this day.

2. Why did you choose the University of Sydney?
It was hard to ignore the history and background of the University of Sydney, not to mention the fact that it is rated as one of the best university in Australia.

3. What are the advantages that studying at Sydney Uni has given you?
It has given me a very good environment to study in, not to mention the excellent facilities it has provided.

4. What are you studying/researching?
I'm currently writing a thesis on the effects of microstructures under shear relating to the flows of complex fluids.

5. What else do you like to do?
I personally enjoy gaming and catching up on the latest movies and TV series. I also like the outdoors a lot.

6. What is the best thing about Chemical Engineering?
Chemical engineering provides a good basis to many career options, not just limited to engineering itself.

Serene Peng Tan

1. Why did you choose Chemical Engineering?
When I completed high school, I was not sure of what to do but my dad encouraged me to do chemical engineering since he is in the petrochemical industry. I completed a diploma course in chemical engineering for 3 years in Singapore and I realised I liked it. Therefore, I decided to pursue an honours degree in this course.

2. Why did you choose the University of Sydney?
I was interested in furthering my education overseas and Australia seemed the best choice for me. The University of Sydney has a highly ranked and well-regarded engineering school. It was strongly recommended by my lecturers back in Singapore.

3. What are the advantages that studying at Sydney Uni has given you?
I have gained much insight into chemical engineering theories and also had many opportunities to gain hands-on experience from projects and industrial work attachments.

4. What are you studying/researching?
I'm currently writing a thesis on Food Rheology, understanding the modelling and flow behaviour of food.

5. What else do you like to do?
I like to travel and understand the way of life and different cultures from different countries. I am also into sports, in particularly tennis and having long runs in the evening.

6. What is the best thing about Chemical Engineering?
To look at the world in a different way, as I come to understand how many fundamental things and processes work in life.

7. Where do you think that Chemical Engineering will take you? What plans do you have?
I feel chemical engineering is a passport to variety of jobs, because the knowledge gain is the basis of many applications. I am looking at working in the petrochemical and oil industries.

8. What's the funkiest thing you have done?
Bungee jumping, the experience was exhilarating!

Natasha Legge-Wilkinson

1. Why did you choose Chemical Engineering?
Because I was good at maths and science at school and wanted to do a degree that was a practical which specialised in environmental sustainability.

2. Why did you choose the University of Sydney?
Because it is pretty and my mum went here. Also the chemical engineering at Sydney had more course structure focusing on the environment and biomolecular aspects of chemical engineering than other unis I looked at.

3. What are the advantages that studying at Sydney Uni has given you?
I have met awesome people from different backgrounds including people from Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, China, Nepal, Mexico, Canada, UK, Philippines, Vanuatu and New Zealand. When I travelled to Asia during my summer break last year I was able to meet up with some of these friends, which made the trip that much more fun.

4. What are you studying/researching?
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering currently in my 4th year of study, my thesis is on biofilms e.g. sulphur reducing bacteria, I am characterising them using electrical impedance experiments with E coli. It’s a good mix of maths, biology, chemistry and physics

5. What else do you like to do?
I like shopping, making jewellery, playing cello and hanging out at the local pub/bar socialising.

6. What are you doing in Chemical Engineering?
I take an active part in organising things such as third year trip to Melbourne for our class or hanging out with friends at the Royal (the local pub - try their chicken or royal burgers). I like going to society events such as chemical engineering society’s weekly BBQ, engineering ball, Sydney University Women in Engineering annual dinner. The great thing about engineering is we have a large amount of societies and they all do different things.

7. What are you combining with Chemical Engineering?
I did not combine my degree. I liked engineering from the start; I didn’t like any other degrees as much. Engineering is fun: everyone knows someone and most people are straight to the point honest.

8. What is the best thing about Chemical Engineering?
The fact the lecturers want you to talk and want you to ask questions (at appropriate moments), they are friendly and will help you out if you need it. Also a lot of graduates in the end change their careers because Chemical engineering teaches you how to solve problems it is not about memorizing and teaches you project management skills some of the graduates are now CEOs.

9. Where do you think that Chemical Engineering will take you? What plans do you have?
I am thinking of working in waste water or oil and gas both are essential industries to Australia. I plan to travel to Europe before I start working (to have a break) and I wouldn’t mind one day having a job overseas, which is possible in Chemical Engineering. I want to one day be in management as I like organising things.

10. What’s the funkiest thing you have done?
We got to make beer in third year and get to a lot of hands on work including making our own water filter in third year.

Brendon Brown

1. Why did you choose Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering always seemed like a challenging and interesting university course and possible career path when I was deciding on my future post year 12. After some research I discovered just how incredible and diverse some of the possible opportunities were for chemical engineering graduates. Not only could you be doing something challenging and personally rewarding, but, you also had the ability to go places and take part in projects that very few others would have the chance to do.

2. Why did you choose the University of Sydney?
Sydney University has a very strong reputation for producing high quality chemical engineers. In addition to this academic prowess the university has a thriving extra-curricular scene, with opportunities to participate in a wide variety of social, sporting or common interest groups and events.

3. What are the advantages that studying at Sydney Uni has given you?
Sydney University has provided me with the opportunity to make a number of new friends, from all types of different backgrounds, and learn from some of the most qualified academics in their fields. It has broadened my horizons and has opened up my eyes to the possible opportunities that I could become involved in, sometime in the future.

4. What are you studying/researching?
At the moment I am in my final (4th) year of a straight chemical engineering degree. For my thesis I am currently researching the feasibility of employing bioleaching to recover valuable metals from electronic wastes.

5. What else do you like to do?
Apart from studying, I play Australian Rules football for Sydney University and write for an indie music blog. This pretty much involves just going to lots of gigs and listening to lots of new music - a tough job really!

6. What are you doing in Chemical Engineering?
At the moment I am designing a groundwater treatment plant, writing a thesis on recycling electronic wastes and learning how to extract gold from its ore - a fairly varied range of topics really.

7. What is the best thing about Chemical Engineering?
The challenging work – doing something that provides real life solutions to practical problems.

8. Where do you think that Chemical Engineering will take you? What plans do you have?
I am hoping that I will be able to use my Chemical Engineering degree as a springboard for travelling the world in a challenging job that is hopefully able to make a positive difference to the lives of others.