Question: when were you first interested in engineering.

Emma Ryan answered on 6 Mar 2017:

Hello!

I think I was first interested in engineering when I played with Lego as a child and could build anything I wanted. Also, my parents used to get annoyed at me and my brother because we preferred the cardboard box that our toys came in rather than the expensive toys themselves! We could turn a cardboard box into anything – a home, a car, a spaceship. Engineering is a lot like that, you have the opportunity to make anything!

I then became interested in Engineering again when I worked at the Royal Observatory. I went to a talk on a theory about gravity which only worked if there’s 43 dimensions (can you imagine that?! we only have four – 3D space and time). I got fed up because Physics didn’t feel real and had no use in the real world. Also, I realised I’d rather make the telescopes than look into them. Engineering has real application and every day use – you can really see the difference you’re making and the things you’re making. I like that a lot.

Emma.

p.s. I did warn you I was chatty!