revealed that the skills a STEM degree gives you can be applicable in a wide range of areas
Seeing Machines is a company started out of a robotics lab at ANU. The company develops technology which tracks the movement of eyes. This has a series of applications in the mining, automotive, aviation and medical industries. During the visit, the participants were able to try the 'fovio' system which is used in mining vehicles to detect drivers' micro sleeps and when they need to stop and have a break. If a driver was to fall asleep loud noises and vibrations would wake him/her and alert supervisors.
Trying out the system
In addition to learning about the company and the technology they develop, the participants had the opportunity to hear from nine of their employees and their own journey through science. This was a unique opportunity to see where particular degrees could take the participants in the future but at the same time revealed that the skills a STEM degree gives you can be applicable in a wide range of areas.
The participants heard from software engineers, mechanical engineers and research scientists. One theme that was common throughout the presentations was the importance of having the right attitude, mastering maths, and the need to "always be learning, your whole career" (Seeing Machines software engineer, Andrew Medlin).
Kate Robinson, a NYSF 2017 partcipant said that she, "found it really interesting seeing how the different engineers went from one place to another and how they have been able to travel with their jobs, not just staying in Australia but travelling overseas. The lab was interesting being in the workplace, seeing how everyone works together and what they do on a day to day basis".
The participants really enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the engineers and discover what path could lie ahead for them.
Veronica O'Mara, NYSF 2017 Session C Communications Intern and NYSF 2014 alumnus.