Mina Stojic, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
Final year BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student Mina Stojic has been accepted to study an MPhil programme at the University of Cambridge! She tells us about her motivations and how studying at LSBU is "a perfect choice for ambitious students like herself".
What inspired you to apply to Cambridge for the MPhil programme?
Primarily the course structure. I believe postgraduate Masters education should either prepare you better for the role you wish to have in industry or for further academic advancement. In my case it’s the first option. The MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management (ISMM) is the course I’ll be undertaking and its structure consists of predominantly practical, industry based projects, alongside taught modules and individual dissertation. The close ties with different manufacturing industries throughout the course are what makes it unique and interesting for me, therefore the main reason I applied for this specific degree. Alongside this, I realised that I want to be a technical project leader once in industry, and in order to be both a good leader and engineer one must master navigating complex challenges the manufacturing industries are facing.
My mechanical engineering studies at LSBU gave me an excellent technical understanding within Engineering.
How did studying at LSBU help with your application to Cambridge?
My mechanical engineering studies at LSBU gave me an excellent technical understanding within engineering, and plenty of opportunities to apply that knowledge and learn what I would like to specialise in. Alongside the three-year Bachelor’s course I completed a placement year in engine manufacturing industry, which additionally motivated me to do Master’s in an area which combines engineering, manufacturing and management altogether.
Tell us more about your placement year.
I completed my placement year at Cummins Inc, global leader in engine manufacturing. I worked as a design and analysis engineer within the Power Systems Business Unit, in UK Analysis Led Design and Validation (ALDV) team. Throughout those 12 months I had worked on some alternative fuel and R&D projects as well as performed numerous structural and vibration analyses on current diesel engine components. This year in industry has truly given me perspective onto how the real engineering world works, what sort of teams there are and what sort of work each deal with. This insight significantly helped me in determining my next academic step and which industry I would like to work in, upon completion of my education.
My year in industry has truly given me perspective onto how the real engineering world works, what sort of teams there are and what sort of work each deal with.
Tell us more about the recent project you will be undertaking as part of your MPhil.
As of now, I am not entirely sure what it is I’d like to research and write about in my MPhil Dissertation, however it could be related to renewable energy production, since my BEng Final Project is on implementation of solar PV system on National Theatre in London.
Studying at LSBU has been nothing short of amazing! It's location, diversity and opportunities are what made it a perfect choice for an ambitious student like myself.
Why did you apply to study your undergraduate at LSBU and how has your undergraduate study experience been so far?
It has been nothing short of amazing! Central London life is what I wanted for myself back in 2020 when I started thinking about where I’d like to do my Bachelor Degree. LSBU’s location, its diversity and opportunities within the School of Engineering are what made it a perfect choice for an ambitious student like myself. Likewise, its kind and welcoming staff made it feel like home since day one. With all their guidance and encouragement I never lacked support with projects and professional decisions.
How did studying at LSBU help you with your future or current career?
Studying at LSBU gave me crucial knowledge not only within different engineering areas but also entrepreneurship, product design and enterprise. This diverse course structure made it possible for me to explore different subjects within my degree and gave me perspective onto what I enjoy most.