A clever combo of quals

Sophie Fox followed up her Bachelor of Product Design with a Certificate of Mechanical Engineering (Cert Mech Eng), creating a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge to stand out in the job market. 

This was a strategic approach on Sophie’s part. When she graduated in 2022 into a crowded job market, Sophie discovered that she was competing for jobs with people who had both engineering and design experience. So she took matters into her own hands, returning to Otago Polytechnic to get a leg up with a Certificate in Mechanical Engineering.

“With Product Design, we learned a lot of theory, and the projects didn’t always need to be practical as we weren’t always producing a physical object. Then the certificate looked at ‘how will this actually be made’ with an emphasis on manufacturable production. I’m pleased I got the certificate to have those skills.”

Sophie, from Oamaru, went straight into the Product Design programme after high school. 

“I like the practical and physical aspects of Product Design, where you’re actually making a thing – in Communication Design you might make a pamphlet or a poster, it’s 2D. In product design you get to think in 3D.”

The lecturers and real world projects contributed to a good experience during Sophie’s Bachelor degree.

“The product design lecturers were very supportive and would push you out of your comfort zones to try new creative ways of thinking.”

Her favourite Product Design project was designing a portable modular bar for the Otago Brew School, which was subsequently used at events like the Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival.

One of the benefits of returning to study was getting firsthand experience using the tools in the Mechanical Engineering workshop. Sophie thrives on complex projects, like manufacturing a working air engine.   

“The air engine had multiple components that you had to machine and make very accurate and precise to fractions of a millimetre. I learnt a lot doing that, like milling and turning. That was a cool project – I gave it to my dad after.” 

Sophie’s current job is the direct result of her study placement. 

“I think the certificate lecturers were great, they were fantastic, I messaged one of them after I got my new job because he was the one who lined me up for the placement.”

Sophie explains that her placement was a bit more general than a typical mechanical engineering placement, because her ultimate goal was to do product design work.

“Once the lecturers had a better understanding of what I had already studied, and what I wanted to work towards, they were really helpful in getting me towards that goal. I did learn a lot of practical engineering, like welding and turning, but they were able to make some small changes to the experience that were more tailored to me and my skills.”

In addition to helpful tutors, Sophie made use of the support available from Student Success to make sure she was getting the most out of her learning.

Along with the support, Sophie liked the atmosphere at Otago Polytechnic. When the construction of the new Trades Training Centre was finished, she enjoyed the features of the building.

“I liked to work through lunch and sit in there all day. The new building has nice big glass panels, and the sun came in, it was great.”

During her Product Design degree, Sophie made great use of the studio space that design students get to use. 

“I was probably the person who stayed the latest consistently, I really enjoyed that you could leave stuff there, put pictures up on the wall, make a mess as you figured out your process.” 

Another highlight was the catering at Te Pā Tauira, Otago Polytechnic’s student accommodation where Sophie lived during her first year. 

Now aged 22, Sophie appreciates where her hard work has landed her, and plans to spend some time gaining experience in her new role. 

Sophie remarks that while she was studying, it was easy to get caught up in deadlines, but looking back it was a great experience. She offers the following advice to anyone considering study:

“Enjoy the process of everything. It might feel stressful when it’s happening, but looking back I’m like that was a really cool scenario, that was a really cool thing that was happening and I should have enjoyed that more, the process of it.”