Gabrielle du Toit, 2022 MENG Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Degree: 2022 MENG Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Edinburgh

Current role: Satellite Operations Engineer at AAC Clyde Space

Why did you decide to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I chose Edinburgh largely due to the global reputation of the University and it’s high ranking, particularly in Engineering. Also, as a city, Edinburgh is incredibly appealing, with a rich history and cultural vibrancy.

The Engineering curriculum also attracted me. It had a solid foundation in core Engineering principles whilst also allowing you to specialise in many different areas. It’s renowned for its cutting-edge research and close industry ties, and the industrial placement offered in 4th year of the MEng programme was a key factor for me. Edinburgh also offered a lot of hands-on opportunities which really suited me!

The University has a focus on sustainability and innovation within Engineering. I've always known that I wanted to go into the space industry, working towards addressing climate change, energy efficiency, and key global issues. The University of Edinburgh’s Engineering courses had a strong focus on this which really resonated with me.

I think I've always been one of those people that's fascinated by how things work. Engineering is really unique and blends creativity and technical expertise. You can transform these creative ideas that you have into actual solutions that can have a real impact on the world.

When I went through school, no one ever really told me that engineering was an option for me. As soon as I realised that I could study engineering, I was dead set on this journey.

How did you get where you are?

I've always wanted to be in the space industry. I didn't know exactly where, but anything to do with space exploration and technology has always captured my attention. Although I didn’t specialise in a space-related subject at University, I chose my master’s project to be on the vibration analysis of rockets, and as soon as I graduated, I applied for jobs within the space industry, mostly inside Scotland.

I found an opportunity at AAC Clyde Space; a new company producing small satellites and increasing accessibility to important space data that can help build a better earth. The role I interviewed for was to build these satellites by hand, in their Assembly, Integration and Test Engineering team, and this grabbed me immediately. I did that role for a year and I got fantastic exposure to the industry. I worked on an Earth observation/imaging project and we launched the first of three satellites about a year into my first role. Following the project, I moved into an Operations Engineer role and was able to take this satellite through its commissioning phase into full time operations. I’m now leading the next two satellites through the same journey.

What did you gain from your time at university and any experiences like your industrial placement and at your time university that helped you prepare for life after graduation?

I had a really positive University experience – most importantly it helped me prepare for and gave me the tools to face the real working world. The industrial placement is a great opportunity that isn’t offered by all Universities so it’s great that Edinburgh encourages this and has these links into industry. I did my placement at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. I spent 8 months in their Mechanical Department, where I undertook design work and simulations on some of their beam instruments. Working alongside professionals and respected figures in the industry really helps you build your own professional persona, and you can start to network and open doors for your future.

I had the opportunity to work on a few different projects whilst at Edinburgh. I was involved in HYPED - a Hyperloop competition run at the University. About 300 students were involved in this so I was part of a large team, which is a contrast to the smaller projects I worked on during my courses or in my spare time in the electronics lab, where, for example, a friend and I built our own UV detector. It was great to have such an extensive range of resources available to us.

Being able to experience both large and small projects, across different focuses, really helped me prepare for life after graduation. It’s helpful to see how differently they need to be managed in terms of timeline and resources, and while the small projects taught me more technical skills, the larger projects taught me communication and systems thinking; how do all the components come together?  

Edinburgh and my tutors really set me up to problem solve – they taught me how to approach and solve these problems, rather than spoon-feeding me just to pass an exam. They teach you the skills you need to work and learn in these fields, rather than just the subject, and now that I’m working, I’m able to look back and see how hugely beneficial this has been. Engineering is very dynamic; problems can differ hugely and it’s important you’re able to keep up. Edinburgh really does teach you how to think like this and sets you up to be a successful Engineer.

Can you tell us any personal or professional achievements in your career so far, or potentially any highlights of your career?

My whole career so far has been one big highlight. Being able to work on the projects I have and to see them through so many of their phases has been amazing. Specifically, the imaging project I’m working on, it’s certainly been a challenge. But every time we hit a milestone, I experience the most overwhelming feeling. We’re a small team so what we’ve achieved is wonderful. My highlight is definitely celebrating these wins with my team.

What is your favourite memory of your time at university?

A favourite memory of mine was after my friends and I all went off to do our placements, when we all returned to Edinburgh. We hadn’t seen each other in a while and we came back for our final year, exchanging all these amazing stories and achievements. It’s always nice to see your friends having great experiences and achieving their dreams.

What advice would you give to future students who are considering studying engineering at Edinburgh?

If you're looking for a place to study that also gives a lot outside of your studies, then Edinburgh is just the place. Edinburgh has tons of hands-on opportunities and extra curriculars, so take these, they make a world of difference to your time there. Engineering can be hard – but embrace it! Work hard, but don’t forget to enjoy the experience, enjoy the city, enjoy Scotland, and enjoy what the University and the School of Engineering offer.