“I was searching for a middle ground that could blend both my engineering background, and my creative side and Industrial Design was the perfect choice for me,” says the JTH student Maya Petrov-Hernaez .
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Maya wanted to a study a more creative master’s programme. When looking at programmes in other universities, she found that they were either too technical or too artistic. However, the Industrial Design programme at the School of Engineering (JTH) in Jönköping offered the balance and included the courses she was searching for.
Many new skills in short time
“The most rewarding part is getting to learn so many new skills in a short amount of time. During the first semesters, we completed various small projects with different objectives allowing us to dive deeper into new softwares and methods, which helps us explore and develop new competencies and capabilities crucial to industrial designers. We are also taught to work on several projects at a time, which can prepare us for the working conditions in a company", Maya Says.
Another feature that made her choose Industrial Design at JTH was the Design Studio, where students get their own desk and computer to study. They also have access to a workshop, allowing them to turn their projects into reality.
"Great opportunities"
JTH has more than 1,000 partner companies and works closely with the business community in the region to ensure that students receive an education tailored to market needs. Maya feels that she and her classmates have great opportunities to work with companies during their studies. They participate in several projects where they collaborate with different companies to design or propose innovative solutions for them.
“Working with these companies is a fantastic way to start because, if the project goes well, we may have the chance to do our master’s thesis with them or even secure a job. Besides, it is a great addition to our portfolio, which can benefit both us and our future employers", says Maya.
"The city is beautiful"
She did not know much about Jönköping when she got accepted here and thought it would be a very small town with little to no activities. But she was pleasantly surprised.
"The city is beautiful, especially since it is so close to the lake, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. It also has student bars and clubs, which is nice! Jönköping can also satisfy nature lovers because it offers a fair share of greenery, forests and hiking trails”, she says.
The JU event that has stood out to the most for Maya was the week-long kick off, where she got to explore campus, make new friends and have a lot of fun!
“Getting an overall that we can write on and decorate with patches was also a new concept to me, but I think it is amazing. You can tell which faculty other students belong to by the color of their overalls, and their patches offer a fun sneak peek into their personalities. It’s a Swedish tradition that I find quite unique and amusing,” says Maya.
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