Lukas Hetnöcker, eighth semester student in Mechanical Engineering. He is pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree, 1-subject programme.
What made you choose this degree programme?
I was an engineering enthusiast even as a child. Back at school, I developed an interest in the energy revolution and in regenerative energies. Consequently, I knew from the very start that I would opt for an engineering degree. The mechanical engineering degree at RUB was a particularly attractive option, because you don’t choose a major until the 5th semester. If I had realised at some point during the degree course that I’d prefer majoring in a different subject, I would have been free to go for it. Some of my fellow students have changed their mind about the subject of choice during the first 4 semesters and have settled for a different major than they’d originally planned. However, I have seen my interests confirmed, which is why I chose energy and process engineering as my major in the 5th semester.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
At the start of the mechanical engineering course, you expect to be able to handle large machinery and be taught about the latest technological developments. However, the basic courses, which comprise the first 4 semesters, are very theoretical. The typical questions emerged: “What will I ever need this for?” and “Do I really want to do this till the end of my life?” Starting with the 5th semester – following the choice of the major – the degree course got very interesting. In hindsight, I appreciate that many of the mathematical principles taught in the basic course are necessary. And once you recognise a direct relevance for an engineering problem, it stops being dry maths, because you know what you “need it for”.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
I enjoyed calculating plants or components based on realistic standards, i.e. 1:1, the way it is done in the industry. In construction engineering, for example, we designed a go-cart, and in thermodynamics the turbine for a steam power plant.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
The greatest challenge is maintaining your motivation throughout the exam phases and not losing sight of your goals. In mechanical engineering, exams are written during the semester break. This means that after the semester ends, you don’t get to enjoy a 10-week holiday; instead, you will spend a lot of time revising. At some point, motivation dwindles. In moments such as these, it is important to have fellow students who help you struggle through these difficult times.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
The mechanical engineering degree at RUB opens up many possibilities. Your chosen major can point you in a particular direction; but thanks to the basic courses, you will have acquired a range of expertise that will enable you to work in other fields, too. This is why my future place of work should be very diverse and provide an ongoing stream of challenges. This will ensure that my work will never get boring and I will continue to learn something new.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
In order to pursue a mechanical engineering degree, you must not have an aversion against mathematics – maths will be inevitable. But don’t worry: the moment you use maths to solve concrete technical problems, rather than schematically, it can be a lot of fun! And don’t let the basic courses discourage you; you will need those basics one day, even though you will only realise that in hindsight.
