Statement 2 Criminology

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I want to study Aeronautical Engineering because I want to be able to make a difference in the way that we as humans travel across the world. Engineering is being able to make what seems impossible into a reality. Just over a century ago a manned flight was considered an unrealistic dream, where as in today's world commercial jets are just another method of transport. I want to be a part of the new technological developments that change the world for the better. I feel that going to university will enhance my knowledge and understanding of how the industry works and develop my engineering skills. It also opens many avenues to discover, with the possibility of becoming more involved with roles such as an aircraft designer or even a pilot. The part of the course that interests me the most are the practical elements. I feel that I am skilled on machinery and have been privileged to have experience of using industry-standard machinery in my school, so I have gained an advantage in how to operate these machines.

At GCSE Engineering and Mathematics were by far my strongest subjects, but I have found an even deeper appreciation for engineering at A-level, where the course challenges you to think in order to solve problems. I enjoy the topics in Maths that have practical applications; trigonometry and Pythagoras can be used in simple tasks such as marking out a football pitch, for example, and it is the multitude of applications that Maths can be used for that constantly surprises and stimulates me. One task I have enjoyed has been to design, raise money and build a car to race in the GreenPower national competition. Racing against companies such as Bentley and Land Rover meant a specific focus on the consideration of aerodynamics, how the drag and wind resistance would affect the speed of the car and how the shape of the finished car would affect the wind flow. Aerodynamics is as fundamental a consideration for a successful racing car as it is for an aircraft and, as engineers, we are required to scrutinise the cars to ensure they comply with the thousands of regulations we have to obey. I have especially enjoyed designing the car and adhering to regulations such as the need to have clear headroom between the roll bars and the driver’s helmet. This requires extensive calculations as if you create the roll bar slightly too small then you will have to rebuild the whole design or employ smaller drivers.

Being Head Boy at The Leigh Technology Academy, I am required to chair the school council. Good communication skills are vital as I am dealing with both students and teachers. This role also requires me to attend senior school council, which requires me to bring new ideas to the panel to ensure the Academy improves academically and pastorally. I am also a Member of ‘Dartford Youth Council’ representing the Academy; this requires me to attend meetings at the Council Chamber once a month.

I also took part in an Academy Business Challenge where students are placed into a ‘non-friendship group’ and allocated a local business and a problem, devising solutions, to present to a panel of external judges on the final day. This was a good experience and has definitely helped to boost my confidence and improved many of my interpersonal skills. We worked well as a team and we succeeded in presenting and thinking of effective ideas for the final solution for the company, finishing third overall.

I believe that success, as an engineer in this day and age, requires technical competence and a combination of management, leadership, communication and business skills. Leadership and communication are skills I have developed through my involvement with refereeing, my role as Head Boy with technical competence developed over the course of my post-16 studies. It is my hope that studying engineering would serve as a solid base for a successful career in the field, developing new technology for safer and more economical ways methods of air transportation.