EngSpotlight Perspective Series: Mechatronics Engineering

Arjun Sharma
1st-Year Mechatronics Engineering
First-Year Ambassador

I thought mechatronics was perfect for me because it is a mix of mechanical, electrical and a little bit of computer engineering. I want to understand how all of these disciplines blend and work together.

How has your first year shaped your understanding of mechatronics engineering?

Before starting the program, I thought mechatronics engineering was all robotics, which I was kind of interested in because, I mean, that's what I wanted to do. But it's actually an integration of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, and you get to see how they really mesh together. You can work with autonomous cars, electric vehicles and home safety systems. It's a big, diverse field!

Another misconception I had is that since mechatronics engineering is so broad, you won't be able to find a job, because the argument was, why would I hire a mechatronics student if I could just hire a mechanical one? The answer to that is mechatronics is more than just mechanical and electrical. It's not just software or computers. A mechatronics engineering student understands how all these different systems work together!

Ali Khalil
2nd-Year Mechatronics Engineering
Mechanical Designer, Toronto MetRobotics

Design teams give an idea of how the industry works. You get to collaborate with different teams, take criticism and meet deadlines. There are many design teams in which you can develop skills in electrical, mechatronics and mechanical engineering.

Have you gotten involved with any extracurriculars or design teams? What do you think are the benefits of joining student groups or design teams?

I joined the TorontoMet Robotics team which designs and builds a space rover for the University Rover Challenge in Utah. Within this group, we were divided into three teams, the mechanical team, the electrical team and the software team. I was part of the science team within the larger mechanical team and worked on designing a soil collection system using SolidWorks. 

The best thing about design teams at TMU is that they understand new students don’t have many technical skills. They are looking for students with soft skills and collaborative skills. If you showcase how well you work with others, you can definitely be promoted to a lead one day, and then be able to lead your own initiatives and own specific projects that would benefit the team and build your skills. The design team gave me the opportunity to develop skills I've already learned in the classroom even further. Having those skills as an engineering student helps you stand out and gives a competitive edge in the job market today.