My name is Liam McLeod; I am currently a 20-year-old student at Newcastle University. I applied her to pursue a career in Engineering, specifically in the field of mechanics as I have a natural affinity with numbers and a keen interest in science and understanding the way things work. I am now undergoing my foundation year, which consists of 11 modules, many of which are very mathematical or scientific, so I feel completely confident in myself to successfully progress onto a degree course. I am from a village in the west end of Newcastle (about five miles west of the city centre) called Walbottle, I have lived there since the age of 2 years old and consider it my true home. I moved out of Walbottle in September 2016 when I began studying at Newcastle University, and moved into student accommodation next to Newcastle Exhibition Park, called Park Terrace, where I have 10 flatmates. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of moving out and meeting new friends, and I can get a bus back to Walbottle which takes only 20 minutes, which is very convenient for me to meet old friends and family members.
Growing up I partook in alot of activities which I still take part in today, as well as some activities which I began as I signed up to societies in University. These activities include:
- Boxing
- Thai Boxing
- Kick Boxing
- Judo
- Football
- Rock Climbing
- Cross country
- Parkour
- BMX
My favourite out of them all would have to be Boxing, Thai boxing or Football. Boxing – because this is the sport I have taken part in for the longest amount of time, so there’s a sentimental value there; Thai boxing – because I find this more engaging than boxing, and is a lot more practical in a real situation where you may be required to defend yourself; and football – because purely it is the sport I find the most enjoyable and I have more friends who take part in this activity over any other I used to also attend the gym regularly from Monday to Friday for 1 hour sessions each day over a period of a year, but I eventually grew tired of it and eventually stopped.
I also have academic interests – I am very good at maths and science. I always considered it a gift rather than a talent, because it never seemed to me that I would put that much effort in, but was still performing well above average. I am not a mathematical wizard however, as I’ve began university, the maths is very hard and I do encounter difficulties from time to time. I have a very keen interest in Physics, and even more so for Chemistry – Physics is extremely interesting, it explains how the universe around you works, but is extremely difficult. I find chemistry just as interesting, but I feel that my understanding of Chemistry comes more naturally than my understanding of Physics. I am also good at English Literature – I received an A at GCSE level but never pursued this strength, though it does help with my writing and analysing which are skills I use in everyday life. My true passion throughout my life was Art, specifically pencil drawings. All my life I have loved drawing, I prefer to draw realistic portraits mostly of faces, full bodies, or scenery. I also like to draw creatures such as sharks, and today I still consider my artistic talents to be my strongest of all, although I have gradually become less frequent with the amount of art I produce as my life gets increasingly busy and I have less free time.
I’m not all work, work, work however, I am very adventurous and like to take the scenic route whenever possible. I often find myself going on bike rides or long walks with my friends to places we have never been before, and my good sense of direction means that I can go as far as I’d like and always find my way back. I am lucky to have grown up with friends who felt the same, so to this day there are still plenty opportunities where I get to explore. I also like occasional drink and have recently came back from my second “lads holiday” to Ayia Napa, Cyprus in June, my first one being at Kavos, Greece in July 2015 – so yes, I like a good party!
I also love animals, all my life I have been a dog owner. My first dog, Jess was older than I by a full year, sadly she passed away when she was 18 in 2013 and she had a great fondness of my dad, he was her true owner. I then got another dog about a month later, this dog already had a name – Pippa, she is a Greyhound and is still currently living with my mother and father at home, I visit her weekly. It is not only dogs I am fond of however but all animals, although to be honest, I’m not really phased by fish – they’re more interesting than lovable, sea-life amazes me.
I am studying for a Masters in Mechanical Engineering with a foundation year, which equates to a 5-year course in total. Mechanical Engineering is a rather broad sector of Engineering and the profession is respected and used throughout many other branches of Engineering. It is because of this that there will always be a demand for Mechanical Engineers. This, along with my skills in maths and science are the reason I picked this course. A basic description of what Mechanical Engineers do is that they manufacture machines which can be used in industry or even domestic situations, as well as work out the stresses and strains of mechanical structures and systems.
When I complete my degree, I would like to initially pursue a career in industry. This is because I enjoy being very hands on and would like to experience working in industry so that I can gain skills not only in engineering theory which I am granted by university, but also Engineering practice. Industry is also a very financially rewarding career and would provide excellent financial stability. I plan to work in industry for most of my working life and as I get older I expect I will eventually focus my knowledge of engineering on academia, possibly teaching students, but I am not entirely sure yet.