It has always been my dream to work as a scientist in a technological field. I acquired a bachelor’s degree in plastics technology, and I wanted to broaden my analysis and design skills and to gain a deeper understanding of materials and structures. With that goal in mind, I applied to a master’s programme in Mechanical Engineering at Aalto, where I chose to major in Solid Mechanics. Researchers in this field specialise in studying behaviour of solid materials, in particular, their motion and deformation under the action of forces, temperature and phase changes.
Undoubtedly, the best part of my studies at Aalto was the flexibility in the choice of courses. Students have the freedom to tailor their curricula according to their preferences and aspirations. It is remarkable that it is possible to pick elective courses from any school of Aalto, regardless of one’s major.
Some of the most memorable moments at Aalto came from my work as a Teaching Assistant in several courses: Dynamics of Rigid Body, Dynamics of Structures and Continuum Mechanics. Almost everyone who ever taught something would say that the real clarity of understanding comes after delivering an explanation to others. I totally agree with that. It is difficult to underestimate the benefits of such experience. Moreover, participation in preparation and planning of the courses gave me precious insights into philosophies of the professors I was working with, as well as teamwork and management skills.
I would like to mention also another experience which is dear to me. As my studies went on, I grew passionate about mathematics and mathematical modelling, and took various courses offered by the Department of Mathematics. One summer, I even worked as a research assistant there! Thus, together with majoring in solid mechanics, I acquired invaluable research experience and expertise in subjects which I believe are vital for every engineer and technology specialist.
I joined a company named Deltamarin right after my graduation. At the moment, I work as a Concept Designer in the energy team. At Deltamarin, we design ships and provide consulting services for marine transport companies. My main tasks include ship data analysis and energy flow modelling. We calculate the carbon footprint of new and old vessels and help other companies reduce their carbon emissions and to make a transition towards greener marine transport.
I seldom have repetitive days at work. My workload is spread between development tasks and project work. Working as a member of the Development Team involves constant exploration of new ideas and development of new simulation tools for future implementation. Project work, on the other hand, mostly revolves around solving specific problems for our company’s clients. For instance, we estimate energy consumption of new concept vessels, perform energy audits of existing ones and give consulting to ship owners.
Aside from the “hard” skills in engineering design, materials science, mathematical modelling and other fields, studying at Aalto provided me with a set of tools which can be used universally at any job. It gave me the ability to work on complex, multilayered projects, to manipulate abstract concepts and to communicate them to others. Thanks to my education, I am able to pick up new tools in order to solve various problems at work. My practical experiences at Aalto taught me to find most recent research results from science journals, to interpret them and to implement them in practice.
I see myself as a lifetime learner. I will keep developing my skills and growing as a professional. I enjoy being exposed to new challenges and broadening my horizon in order to find novel solutions. In fact, just one year after graduating as a mechanical engineer, I started another master’s programme in Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Helsinki. I am now combining these studies with my full-time job. On the one hand, of course, it raises additional challenges, but I am already feeling that my new studies harmonise with and complement my work tasks very well!
I have many tips for students starting their studies. First of all, even prior to starting your studies, it is a good idea to browse through staff webpages and to take a look at the research groups at your department (or even outside of it). Find people who work in the fields that you are most attracted to and people who have similar backgrounds to yours and get in touch with them! Be open minded and ask for advice; you can get a lot out of it. By doing so, you grow your network, possibly even secure your future employment and, most importantly, receive inspiration for your future studies and career.
If you are enjoying a course, talk to the professor in charge. Give a shot at becoming a teaching assistant. At the very least, you will grasp the material at a whole new level and earn some money. And who knows, it is very possible that you will find a new passion in teaching.
Many students are worried if the things their studies will be applicable at work. I believe that it is more fruitful to learn while you can and to focus your attention on possible ways to implement what you learned (as opposed to questioning applicability of these things). If you think of time spent on education as of an investment, you quickly realize that what you learn will always stay with you, and that with enough creativity it can be useful in any environment.
Last but not least, keep your mind open to new opportunities and find ways to enjoy the ride. Remember that your hard work will pay off very well!
In Mechanical Engineering Master’s Programme you can become an expert in Arctic Technology, Engineering Materials, Marine Technology, Mechatronics, Product Development, Production Engineering and Solid Mechanics, or create your own combination. We empower students follow their interests in the field of mechanical engineering as their professional skills are needed for creating more effective and safe solutions for the society.