Civil Engineering Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Fascinated by how infrastructures, that were once design concepts, have become a reality, led me to choose civil engineering as my career path. By researching immense structural projects from The Great Wall of China to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, I established my interest in civil engineering. Civil engineering is involved in more than just building construction. I am particularly interested in geotechnics and application of practical skills to make and test materials. The importance of this topic was demonstrated to me when I discovered that the geology of the earth beneath London prevented civil engineers from constructing tall landmarks. I’m also interested in structures, specifically the solutions to foundation problems in a family residence. As a determined individual, I am eager to solve such complications methodically and logically: I enjoy tackling mathematical problems and embracing challenges and so this topic appeals to me most. My career ambition is to become a structural engineer and in doing so becoming a chartered civil engineer. In today’s society, civil engineering changes people’s lives for the better and I want to be a part of that change. I strongly believe that my flair for science, combined with my enthusiasm for problem-solving and overcoming difficult challenges will allow me to excel in this course. I have confidence that engineering is a field where I can apply my skills best and fully realise my potential.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

I believe my strengths lie in mathematics. I have been taking extra maths classes that have improved my organisation and problem-solving skills. Trigonometry is the area that I enjoy especially because of the challenge of solving problems that incorporate identities, algebraic methods, and trigonometric properties. I chose physics because of its link to engineering and over time I genuinely started to appreciate the subject for its logical reasoning. My mathematical understanding of physics is enhanced by choosing the Mechanics Module. I engaged greatly with the simple harmonic motions topic, more specifically how resonance can affect bridges. Last year I visited the CERN labs in Switzerland, where my passion for physics flourished. This enlightening experience furthered my knowledge of physics and allowed me to communicate with world-leading scientists. The engineering required to build the particle accelerator is truly inspiring and showcased how broad the engineering industry is.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

My initial experience of design and construction came from the renovation of my house. I was given an insight into each stage, from the architectural designs to the final construction. This left me with unanswered questions such as what prevented a building from collapsing or how I can access clean water from a tap. These answers lie in civil engineering. I relished the opportunity to participate in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award where held a position of responsibility when leading my group on our two-day expedition. Motivation and the ability to communicate effectively was key. I also took part in the National Citizen Service scheme. Project management and critical thinking skills were put to the test when I organised a bake sale, contributing to the money raised for charity, which in total was £1,652. I volunteered to work with the Royal Voluntary Service, in the hospital shops which helped me to develop into a well-rounded person that enjoyed speaking with customers and helping others. I have gained transferable skills, such as responsibility, communication skills, and motivation, that are useful in civil engineering and many other industries.