Self-Introduction Letter
Dear Professor Blackstone,
My name is Nurliza, and I am a student in your Critical Thinking & Communication class at SIT, where I am studying Mechanical Engineering. Before this, I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a diploma in mechatronics and robotics engineering.
My interest in engineering began when I was a child. My father often bought me lego sets, which sparked my curiosity about how things work. I spent a lot of time building structures and solving puzzles, which helped me develop a passion for creating and solving problems. This early interest in designing and building things led me to study mechatronics and robotic engineering. I was excited by the idea of combining electronics, mechanics, and computer systems to create functional robots and other devices. It seemed like a perfect fit for my love of hands-on projects and technology.
However, during my time at Polytechnic, I discovered that I was more interested in the mechanical aspects of engineering. One project that helped me realise this was when I had to design and build a robotic arm. My role involved making the mechanical parts that allowed the arm to move a ball from one place to another. I enjoyed tweaking the design, adjusting the mechanisms, and ensuring everything worked together smoothly. Although I appreciated the interdisciplinary approach of mechatronics, I found that my true passion and strengths were in mechanical design. This experience led me to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, which I believe offers more flexibility and fits better with my long-term goals.
What sets me apart is my early exposure to hands-on problem-solving and my persistence in tackling challenges. I have developed a strong attention to detail and an ability to think creatively, especially when it comes to refining designs and ensuring everything works smoothly.
While I am confident in my technical abilities and problem-solving skills, I recognise that communication is a challenge for me. I know that in engineering, it’s important not only to solve problems but also to convey ideas clearly to others. This is something I find challenging. I often struggle and feel nervous to articulate my thoughts clearly, especially when speaking in front of large groups, which results in me not conveying my points effectively. However, I’m trying to improve by participating actively in group discussions. With time and effort, I hope to develop the confidence and clarity needed to express my ideas effectively.
I’m keen to get started in your class and see how much I can stretch my brainpower. Looking forward to boosting my critical thinking and communication skills, and hopefully surviving the process with a smile!
Best regards,
Nurliza
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ReplyDeleteHello Nurliza, thank you for sharing about yourself. It was interesting reading your evolving interest from the passion in building and creating to mechatronics and finally to mechanical engineering. You have done well in introducing illustration to elaborate your decision making.
ReplyDeleteYour illustrations also help me to see logically how you have managed to develop skills and perspective unique to yourself.
I could also relate with your trouble in communicating your ideas clearly and your nervousness when communicating with a large group. You have excellently related your weakness in communication with me but I wish I could learn more about your strength. Through your letter, I could sense a good story flow and your attentiveness to the details of the story. Could this perhaps be your strength in communication?
Overall, you have expertly told a wonderful story about yourself and your interest in engineering supporting it with illustrations to elaborate how it came to be. Your letter was relevant, logical and clear. While I enjoyed the detailed story, it could be kept concise. Let us work hard in overcoming weakness in communication together!
Dear Liza,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this highly detailed and richly informed letter. You provide clear explanations in all areas that you address, elaborating in a manner that really captures your reader's interest.
In particular, I am impressed by how you describe your childhood fascination with building models and solving puzzles and how that evolved into an interest in engineering. You go on to explain how further interest in "refining designs and ensuring everything works smoothly" was spawned by various educational experiences. This all reminds me of how amazing it is that as children we process experiences and make use of them as we move toward the goals of adulthood.
In this letter you also do a very good job of reflecting on your comm sklls and then proposing what you need to do to enhance your competencies. I look forward to you having a chance in our module to do as you write: "stretch my brainpower."
If there is anything to work on in a 2nd draft, it might be the use of capital letters across the letter.
That is secondary though. I truly appreciate the effort put into this fine introduction.
I look forward to reading more from you this term.
Best wishes,
Brad