Julia Spillane is a rising junior Mechanical Engineering student at Villanova University from Trumbull, CT. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with friends, catching up on the latest TV shows, and taking long walks on the beach. This summer, she will be working with Golden West Humanitarian Foundation on the EOD Robot project. She is very excited to further her engineering experience, expand her cultural horizons, and try new foods.
What are you working on while in Cambodia?
While in Cambodia, I am working on assembling the latest prototype of the EOD robot. Thus far, this project has taught me a great deal about machining parts and has enabled me to further develop my technical skills. Most recently, I have been working with Nick on finalizing the design and build of the robot arm.
What drew you to choosing this project and working in Cambodia?
During this past semester, I learned about the vast variety of opportunities Villanova Engineering Service Learning offers after a few of my friends worked with STEM Cambodia during school breaks. I soon discovered the EOD robot and immediately wanted to get involved as the project aligns my passion for humanitarian efforts and my desire to expand my engineering experiences.
What are your plans for after this summer? Going back to school? Have a job?
I will be continuing my engineering degree at Villanova as a junior in the fall. I am very excited to explore the mechanical engineering field and all the wonderful opportunities it possesses.
What trajectory drew you to get into engineering and your current field (robotics, thermofluids, etc.)?
I always loved hands-on experiences and discovering the hows and whys of the world. As I progressed through my education, science and math captivated my attention and I decided to pursue engineering. I am not set on a specific field yet, but I am having a blast working on the EOD robot.
What are your long term professional goals? How will your experience in Cambodia help you reach those goals?
I am keeping my options open as I expand my engineering knowledge. An engineering job would probably be ideal after graduation, but I am excited to see where the next two years take me. My experience in Cambodia has further solidified my aspiration to help people by utilizing an engineer’s problem-solving skill set. Additionally, the EOD project in Cambodia has allowed me to work with extremely smart and experienced peers who have given me new insights about robotics and engineering as a whole. Aside from the technical aspects of the work here, I have grown in my ability to collaborate with other, assert myself, and work towards a common goal.
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