My name is Zoe Lee. I am in my fifth and final year in Mechanical Engineering (class of 2020) at the University of Cincinnati, with minors in astrophysics and philosophy. Additionally, I am a member of the University Honors Program. This portfolio is intended to let you, my visitors, see my various passions and interests, as well as past job experiences.
Why did I choose mechanical engineering? I chose this career path because I feel like it allows me to have the widest range of opportunities to change the world, whether it be with the design and innovation of a product to improve our standard of living or paving the way for those in third world countries to become more educated and better themselves with the products that I provided to them. It also allows me to use my curiosity in unexpected and fabulous ways.
Through the University of Cincinnati's unique co-op program, I spent my first co-op at Chong Qing University in China acting as a TA for engineering classes taught by UC professors, in a unique cultural immersion program called the Joint Co-op Institute (JCI). In JCI, the Chinese students take 4 years of classes and co op rotations in China that are the same for students at UC, in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Their 5th year (and senior year), they come to UC to finish their education. This was my first time out of the country, and I absolutely loved it!
For my second and third co-ops, I did research with UAV planning using fuzzy logic on UC's campus. This was (and still is, as I am currently finishing it up part time) very simulation heavy, but I greatly enjoy the flexibility offered by fuzzy logic, and the blending of both philosophy and engineering that it gives me.
I am currently on co-op in Japan for my last two co op semesters, receiving more global experience. The company that I am working with is IHI, an aerospace research company based out of Tokyo. This is great experience for my planned transition to astronautical engineering in grad school. I am currently learning Japanese as well, and I hope to gain intermediate level Japanese proficiency within the next year through both practice domestically and through immersion in Japan.
One of my main passions is space, and exploring the world outside of our own little blue marble. We, as humans, are gifted enough to recognize our place in the universe, and to see how vast and wonderful it is. Combining astrophysics with engineering, we are able to spread our hold in our galaxy, and see how far humanity can go! This is what I currently wish to pursue for grad school, and hope to work in the space industry if possible. My time leading Astronomy Club here has helped me realize how vital it is to educate the public about the marvels of space travel, and how they can contribute.
I also wish to pursue foreign languages because it would allow me to work with engineering firms internationally, both those based in the US with foreign partners, and those who are rooted overseas. I am very interested in local cultures in all corners of the world, and hope that both engineering and language skills will allow me to learn more about the world around me. This passion for different cultures is emphasized in my involvement in both Worldfest Week here at UC, through being a planning board member and designing an event of my own, and in my role as an IPAL, a student volunteer for UC International to help international students adjust to American culture. I have also been a member of various committees for the UC Engineers without Borders chapter, helping create sustainable solutions to clean water, education, and sanitation problems in various communities in Tanzania, Africa. In January, I went on a trip to implement one of these clean water systems, which you can see in under the "4th year" category above!
I am pursuing a philosophy minor in order to keep my brain sharp with logic not based in math and science. Philosophy allows you to critically think, write, and question your own viewpoints by close introspection and discussion. Philosophy allows you to see how people are able to have such diverse opinions without coming to the same conclusion, and in turn, respecting that in people. Philosophy is, in short, "the love of wisdom", and that is something I surely have.
My other interests include reading, travel, writing, singing and creative design, ranging from poetry, drawing and crafts (I've even opened an Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZoeLeeHandmadeCrafts) , and innovations to improve the quality of life (relating back to engineering). I recently started a travel blog as well, to document all my travels, at starryeyestravel.com.
Why did I choose mechanical engineering? I chose this career path because I feel like it allows me to have the widest range of opportunities to change the world, whether it be with the design and innovation of a product to improve our standard of living or paving the way for those in third world countries to become more educated and better themselves with the products that I provided to them. It also allows me to use my curiosity in unexpected and fabulous ways.
Through the University of Cincinnati's unique co-op program, I spent my first co-op at Chong Qing University in China acting as a TA for engineering classes taught by UC professors, in a unique cultural immersion program called the Joint Co-op Institute (JCI). In JCI, the Chinese students take 4 years of classes and co op rotations in China that are the same for students at UC, in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Their 5th year (and senior year), they come to UC to finish their education. This was my first time out of the country, and I absolutely loved it!
For my second and third co-ops, I did research with UAV planning using fuzzy logic on UC's campus. This was (and still is, as I am currently finishing it up part time) very simulation heavy, but I greatly enjoy the flexibility offered by fuzzy logic, and the blending of both philosophy and engineering that it gives me.
I am currently on co-op in Japan for my last two co op semesters, receiving more global experience. The company that I am working with is IHI, an aerospace research company based out of Tokyo. This is great experience for my planned transition to astronautical engineering in grad school. I am currently learning Japanese as well, and I hope to gain intermediate level Japanese proficiency within the next year through both practice domestically and through immersion in Japan.
One of my main passions is space, and exploring the world outside of our own little blue marble. We, as humans, are gifted enough to recognize our place in the universe, and to see how vast and wonderful it is. Combining astrophysics with engineering, we are able to spread our hold in our galaxy, and see how far humanity can go! This is what I currently wish to pursue for grad school, and hope to work in the space industry if possible. My time leading Astronomy Club here has helped me realize how vital it is to educate the public about the marvels of space travel, and how they can contribute.
I also wish to pursue foreign languages because it would allow me to work with engineering firms internationally, both those based in the US with foreign partners, and those who are rooted overseas. I am very interested in local cultures in all corners of the world, and hope that both engineering and language skills will allow me to learn more about the world around me. This passion for different cultures is emphasized in my involvement in both Worldfest Week here at UC, through being a planning board member and designing an event of my own, and in my role as an IPAL, a student volunteer for UC International to help international students adjust to American culture. I have also been a member of various committees for the UC Engineers without Borders chapter, helping create sustainable solutions to clean water, education, and sanitation problems in various communities in Tanzania, Africa. In January, I went on a trip to implement one of these clean water systems, which you can see in under the "4th year" category above!
I am pursuing a philosophy minor in order to keep my brain sharp with logic not based in math and science. Philosophy allows you to critically think, write, and question your own viewpoints by close introspection and discussion. Philosophy allows you to see how people are able to have such diverse opinions without coming to the same conclusion, and in turn, respecting that in people. Philosophy is, in short, "the love of wisdom", and that is something I surely have.
My other interests include reading, travel, writing, singing and creative design, ranging from poetry, drawing and crafts (I've even opened an Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZoeLeeHandmadeCrafts) , and innovations to improve the quality of life (relating back to engineering). I recently started a travel blog as well, to document all my travels, at starryeyestravel.com.