Girl Power mentors 2021

Hello Everyone!

My name is Alina and I’m a Master of Biomedical Engineering student with a background in Computer Science.

I’m the Vice President of the Melbourne University Biomedical Engineering Society (MUBES), the founding Events Coordinator of the Melbourne Bioinnovation Student Initiative (MBSI), and a previous year Girl Power Mentor!

I hope to go into biomedical engineering research in medical devices once I graduate, and am currently working on the Advanced Lower EXtremity Exoskeleton Project as part of the Biomedical Team!

I’m originally from Singapore, and have been living in Melbourne for eight years, and am an avid video game lover! I’m currently obsessed with Minecraft, Overcooked! 2, and Raft.

Also, please talk to me if you love the Dream SMP! :)

My name is Anu! I am currently doing a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering with Business. Before this, I completed my Bachelor of Science with a Bioengineering Systems major at the University of Melbourne.

I arrived in Melbourne juggling my identities as an international student (Indian-Nepalese heritage, schooling in the U.S. and Malaysia) and an Australian permanent resident. I wasn't just dealing with the shift from high school to university, but also a cultural shift. I also had no idea what a career in biomedical engineering entailed.

Thankfully, I have grown a lot since then, and managed to pop out of my shell (more or less). During my degree, I have been involved in many projects such as designing prosthetic implants for fractures, working on an exoskeleton, and being a research assistant at my professor’s biomotion lab. With my love for problem solving, I hope to one day work in industry or become a consultant for bioengineering businesses.

Outside of my classes, I love to meet new people by getting involved in clubs:
- At Women in Commerce and Politics, I have taken on leadership roles such as senior writer and education director, and am currently the social media coordinator.
- At the Biomedical Engineering Society, I am volunteering as a peer mentor to an undergraduate student.

My empathy and diverse background are factors that I use to create a comfortable environment for people I interact with. Through the Girl Power program, I hope that I can share my experiences and tips so students won't feel as lost as I did.

My name is Delaram and I’m a second year bachelor of biomedicine student majoring in bioengineering. Currently, I’m planning to continue my studies into doing medicine but at the same time, I’m very interested in the engineering aspect of my degree and hope to be able to build a career in the biomedical engineering field. Outside of study, I enjoy playing tennis or going for a round of dragon-boating.

Seeing the under-representation of women in many of my maths/engineering classrooms was always a source of concern to me and this is the main reason why this program really appealed to me. I greatly welcome this opportunity to work closely with my fellow students and share what little knowledge and experience I have with them; I know that when I first joined the university, I would have really appreciated having someone who knew their way around by my side.

To me the most important attributes of a mentor are approachability, integrity and being caring. I aspire to be a good listener and find out what’s best for my mentee through collaboration and discussion.

Hi there, my name is Jacquie. I am a master student studying chemical engineering with business.

I have experience with classroom teaching, and maths tutoring. I like to connect with my students and help my student to achieve their goals. Outside of studies, I am involved with the Chemical Engineering Student Society where I help to bring people together and to create a good university experience.

I hope we can build a meaningful mentoring relationship and you can get something out of this mentoring program. Looking forward to seeing you in person.

Hi, my name is Mikayla! I’m a 2nd year Bachelor of Design student, studying a double-major in Civil Systems & Construction.

I’m passionate about construction design, physics, and maths, and wish to pursue a career in structural engineering.

I believe that all questions have value, and will seek to guide and encourage my mentee on her journey in engineering or IT:)

Hello there, I’m Minma and I am a third year international student. You must be pretty excited and/or even nervous perhaps to start your own university life. I know I definitely was. I wish I had someone who could have guided me when I started university because as exciting as this whole new experience was, I felt overwhelmed by it too. But not to worry that’s what we mentors are here for. Within these few years I have had experiences regarding poor mental health, changing majors, being an international student, studying STEM subjects and group work. I even I have experience failing subjects and overcoming these challenges. I know what it feels like to not be able to achieve my own high academic standards despite being a top student in high school. Though failing and having poor mental health can seem like ,Äòthe end of your life’ I’ve learned that there’s a hidden beauty to it. After all they say "the strongest swords are forged in the darkest of fires". Being told no because I was a girl and that certain STEM majors aren't suitable for girls and their futures was not new to me. Being a girl is exactly why you should not let these comments obstruct your future because us girls are way more capable than what the world believes us to be. I would love to share my experiences, tips and tricks that I’ve learned or even just to listen to your concerns to make this transition happier and smoother for you.

No matter where life takes you I wish you all the best and know that you are going to be just fine. Make the most out of this university experience because it’s totally worth it. Always remember: You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, Smarter than you think and Loved more than you know.

Hello! My name is Sohini Das. I am a Master of Engineering student at University of Melbourne, majoring in Chemical systems. During my bachelor’s degree, I did many interesting subjects which made me realise that I would love to pursue a career in process or environmental engineering. I am also interested in the fields of food, clean energy, and mining. Being an engineering student provided me with lots of opportunities to work in groups and learn various new skills. Throughout my degree, I have also worked on several interesting projects, such as converting waste plastic to fuel/energy, designing a tank farm, improving soil health, writing an Environmental effects statement, and many more.

Chemical engineering is not just about chemistry and mathematics, rather it’s more related to learning how to invent, design, implement, and upscale lab experiments, systems, materials, and processes. Whether you are interested in pursuing engineering in the future and want to know what it’s like to be an engineering student or just wondering what engineers do, I will be very happy to help and share that knowledge with you.

Education Background: completed high school in Perth, move to UoM for Bachelor. Major in Honours year is Economics. I graduated 2016.

Industry experience: worked as analyst in a local Melbourne based company, and research assistant in UoM while awaiting joining graduate trainee program, which is my current job. I was seconded in a HK based for my trainee program. I’ve found my interest in digital transformation, I’ve build up few new digital channels at my recent role. Decided to pursue further study and return to Melbourne to rejoin family in 2019. Ive started the journey of master in this March under the pendanmic impact.

Skills: know a bit of workplace, leadership. Know a bit of Uni life, struggles of looking for a career direction. Know a bit of how I find my pathway of interest for a career.