S&E from Campus to Career: Aoife Clarke - Rotating Plant Engineer with the ESB

Limerick native Aoife Clarke graduated from with a MSc in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Limerick in 2021.

Now working with the ESB, an organization responsible for developing and managing the medium and low-voltage electricity infrastructure in the Republic of Ireland, Aoife shared insights about her course, her experience at UL, and advice for Leaving Certificate students.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself, your background, why did you choose UL?

My name is Aoife Clarke, I graduated from UL in 2021 with an integrated masters in Mechanical Engineering and I now work as a rotating plant engineer for ESB, working on their fleet of steam, hydro and gas turbines as well as emerging turbine technologies. 

I chose UL as it offered Co-op experience as well as having a great engineering programme that would allow practical learning and application. 

Why did you choose the ME in Mechanical Engineering?

In school, I always had an interest in physics but struggled when deciding on a career route based on school subjects I enjoyed. After researching different career options related to STEM, I found mechanical engineering most appealing due to the variance in job options and study options during college. Mechanical engineering covers a broad range of engineering and UL give you the opportunity to test out different aspects of the discipline throughout your degree and tailor a final year to your personal preferences. 

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I really enjoyed the broad range of modules offered throughout the 5 years, allowing each student to immerse themselves in different aspects of the discipline. We were given the opportunity to apply skills learned throughout the course in design and build prototype projects as well as other industry driven modules. These projects allowed me to better understand engineering and how my skills could be applied once qualified. 

What did you enjoy about UL and what is student life like here?

UL’s campus is second to none with a great buzz around all year long. Student accommodation is right on its doorstep, meaning that many of the organised events happen on campus! Clubs and societies give you the opportunity to find new or develop existing interests and hobbies while meeting some new faces. The campus aids in creating a good balance between studies and extra-circular activities so your life outside the lecture hall is just as stimulating!

Where did you complete your Cooperative Education Experience?

I did my Co-op with ESB International working on their high-voltage overhead lines team. This gave me an insight into the energy industry as well as allowing me to develop some niche software skills used in industry. Coop placement is a great opportunity to figure out what kind of career you might like and to use this experience to tailor your final year/FYP to your specific interests. 

How did UL support you throughout your studies?

There was never a shortage of help throughout my years in college, whether it be through tutorials or direct communications with lecturers, you could always find help. There are also additional learning supports on campus to improve report writing skills, presenting or more traditional subjects like math's and physics. Teamwork is a big thing in engineering courses so your fellow students are usually around to lend a helping hand too!

Can you update us on your career, does it still hold relevance to what you would have studied in UL?

I knew that I wanted to work within the energy industry so I selected modules that would help me in the long run and after completing a design and build project with micro steam turbines as well as a thesis on microgrids in Ireland, I had very applicable skills for industry that I would still use today. Even if you end up working in a completely different area, its safe to say that UL will develop professional skills that allow you to work through any problem and arrive at an effective solution. Industry relevance is an important part to all modules and lecturers make an effort to get guest speakers in and/or incorporate projects around real-world problems to highlight this. 

What advice would you give to Leaving Certificate students considering the next step in their career journey?

I think understanding what kind of life you might like is a good starting point when deciding on a career. It’s difficult to make such a big decision when you haven’t experienced all of the different roles out there but try to remember that lateral movement is a lot more common today and that you should study something you are interested in and let that guide you. I personally chose engineering because of all the different opportunities within the field so that no two workdays ever look the same. So, I would say to focus on your interests and build on that, you’ll always enjoy your work when it’s something you love!

Would you have any advice for women considering a career in engineering?

Much like what I’ve said above, engineering can be daunting as a young female student, especially if you haven’t been exposed to more ‘engineering’ related LC subjects but that shouldn’t hold you back if it’s something you find interesting. I personally didn’t know much about engineering; I wasn’t the best at math's, and I (wrongly) believed that you had to be a genius to study engineering. Instead, I learned engineering was as an opportunity to grow my skills, study, travel and create an exciting and passionate career. My years at college taught me a lot and since graduating, I’ve been able to work in really exciting roles and I have never regretted my choice!