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Read our full interview with Bridget to find out more about her academic and career background, what she would like to achieve as Design Challenge Industry Liaison, her advice for students taking part in the Challenge and much more.
Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself, your academic and career background?
Bridget Ogwezi: I started off studying Architecture at university, I soon realised that it wasn’t for me! So, I switched to Civil Engineering. It was during that degree that I discovered the fascinating world of engineering materials. This led me to doing a doctorate degree about how we can use materials in clever ways to help reduce the energy consumption in buildings. This degree was carried in collaboration with a pretty cool engineering design consultancy (BuroHappold Engineering), so I was able to carry out research alongside the experience of working in a company, interacting with clients and solving real-world problems.
My background in materials helped me get a job at a company called Granta Design in the education division. In my team we worked exclusively with universities, not companies, all over the world. My role was multifaceted and included business development, a bit of marketing, customer training, presenting at conferences, creating teaching content – there was a lot to do! Granta was eventually bought by Ansys and I’ve been with the company for over 6 years now. Very recently, I moved into a project management role where I have the pleasure of looking after some of our academic partnerships – including the one we have with IMechE’s Design Challenge.
Q: What are you looking to bring to your new role as Design Challenge Industry Liaison?
Bridget Ogwezi: In my new role, I aim to demonstrate to students the significance of their participation in the Challenge for both prospective employers, like Ansys, and personal development.
Given the rapid technological advancements shaping the engineering industry (we’re in the middle of a huge technology disruption right now!) I also aim to communicate the shifts in industry trends to enhance the competition, ensuring it consistently aligns with students' future career needs.
Q: What motivated you to apply for the Design Challenge Steering Industry Liaison role?
Bridget Ogwezi: A couple of years ago, I was invited to a Design Challenge final. It was all quite new to me. I heard David Ball speak about his vision in setting up the Challenge… I saw young people put in so much effort to design, present, compete, troubleshoot… they were tenacious when things went wrong. I was impressed and I really liked it all! From the perspective of an employer, I could see the kind of skills that are so necessary in industry being displayed here. I wanted to work with the Challenge committee to help drive this commitment to developing graduates who were ready to hit the ground running once they graduated.
Q: What advice/top tips would you like to give specifically to the competing teams?
Bridget Ogwezi: Your first design is unlikely to be your best design, give yourself time to iterate. If you’re carrying out your design in a virtual environment (using CAD and simulation) then your iterations will be much faster and cheaper than making several physical models.
Learn from others' mistakes as much as you can. Also accept your own mistakes as part of the design process.
Be a team player and don’t let your team mates down, they are counting on you to do your part. In the ‘real’ world, your colleagues and customers will be counting on you to do your job as well.
Q: What would you say to young engineers who are thinking of entering the Challenge?
Bridget Ogwezi: Just give it a go. You can get support from your university, so you won’t be on your own. Also, the judges genuinely want you to succeed so make use of all the help that they offer. The experience will always be of value to you as a student and an engineer, or whatever you decide to do in the future. The process will test and stretch you and help you grow, but all within the safe space of a university competition. It’s a really good way to get hands-on with engineering.