ALEXANDER CUBELLIS

Professional Statement

 

As an Engineering Science student currently completing my first semester at the University of Toronto, I have had many opportunities to engage in engineering design projects so far.

 

Many of these projects have required my peers and I to identify a design problem, propose possible solutions by applying mathematical and theoretical concepts, and then testing and modifying our prototypes. The technical knowledge that I have gained in the classroom has allowed me to solve real-world problems on a small scale. For example, in my CIV102 course I learned how to determine the stresses in a beam by applying civil engineering concepts and created my own functional prototype with the help of my team. Presenting our solutions to design problems once we have completed these tasks has helped me to learn basic engineering design skills.

 

This process has allowed me to identify areas of personal strength and weakness. I believe that a true strength of mine is my ability to communicate with stakeholders, through the use of various media and both practical and theoretical solutions to various design dilemmas. By taking on a leadership role in my team, I was able to direct our energies to find elegant solutions to challenging problems. I believe that I have developed these leadership skills based on my experiences with student leadership in high school. In Grade 11 I was student council president and in Grade 12 I was elected as president of the Student Senate. As a leader I had numerous responsibilities which required me to lead and take direction. Often I was required to liaise between senior school board administration and the student leaders representing each school which I believe was good training to prepare me to communicate with the many stakeholders that I will encounter as a professional Engineer. As I learn and grow in my Engineering studies, I wish to develop more technical skills to help solve the very complex problems engineers face in elegant, cost efficient and aesthetically pleasing ways. As I learn more about engineering design principles through design projects, I hope to improve in the future by expanding my areas of knowledge in the various fields of engineering.