Figo Chin

Course: Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours), 2017
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Manager (DT Risk and Compliance), GE Aerospace (USA)

How have your studies at Monash helped to prepare you for the working world?
One of the highlights within the Mechatronics Engineering discipline was the amount of design and build projects embedded in the course syllabus. I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects requiring both physical strength and technical programming know-how, such as vending machine models, autonomous vehicle robots, valve and actuator systems, autonomous quadcopter flight, and more. I enjoyed working and learning through the intense brainstorming, scratch-building, failing fast and iterating, to finally accomplishing a working prototype!

Did you participate in any student activities or opportunities?

I joined AIESEC, an international youth-run organisation focused on leadership development and cross-cultural internships/volunteering experiences. I took on several leadership roles throughout the course including local chapter President in 2015, and national committee roles in 2016.

Did you go for any internships or work placements?

I had a three-month internship as a product engineer with Texas Instruments Malaysia. I worked on the programming and development of new quality control test programs for semiconductor devices prior to market release. The internship experience provided me with an initial outlook on the dynamics within a supply chain intensive factory. I realised that the importance is on product quality, and this is very much aligned with most industrial companies worldwide that have safety and quality as their utmost priority.

What did you enjoy most about your student life?
Monash’s student population spans multiple countries and nationalities from around the world, like a mini global village of its own. Looking back, I appreciate the diversity here, which helped to cultivate my globally competitive mindset, particularly when assimilating in global companies that value traits of inclusivity.

What are your career goals?

Being a Chief Information Officer of a global industrial company, cultivating new talents and leaders of the future, and participating in digital transformation and Industry 4.0.