Forest Fraser
As an undergraduate in Computer Systems Engineering, Forest has already developed skills that seen him contribute to companies in New Zealand and Japan.
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“Computer Systems Engineering is an intersection between Electrical and Software Engineering, so we cover a wide range of topics. My favourite subjects in high school were always physics and maths so engineering was a logical choice, but I was initially unsure if I wanted to do Software or Electrical. I feel that choosing Computer Systems helped me quickly learn new and unfamiliar skills, and to define the specific areas I’d like to work in when I finish University.
“My courses provided a hands-on approach to learning. Unlike a pure software project, you could often see the impact of your code in the real world, like making an LED blink, or programming a robot to turn.
“I really enjoyed working on my Part IV project, a vision control system for a lightweight inflatable robot arm. It involved building the whole system so we had a lot of control over the project and got to make and evaluate many different design options. I had the opportunity to travel to a university in Japan to complete the project. It was a great experience – I learned a lot, not only about my project, but also about their student culture and environment.
“I was employed as a Product Development Engineering Intern at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare at the end of my third year. I got to work on an Android app for Bluetooth communication with a range of their sleep apnea devices. It was a valuable experience as I got to work in a professional setting and as able to receive advice and mentorship from some of the full time engineers there.
“While group projects are interesting in themselves, I like working with friends and making new ones. I've been playing futsal for the past year, and the games aren't too serious which is a short break from study during the day. Being near the city centre is nice too; it's so easy to go to good places to eat with friends. This just makes studying at University more fun!"