The last years of school are a challenging period for both high school seniors and their parents. It may seem that once the hundred-day celebration is over, the last bell rings, and exams are passed, the tension eases, but there is still one important decision left to make – where to go next?

Julija Bluseviciene, an advisor in the Technical and Railway Services Group at the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration (LTSA), also thought about the question of "where to go next."

However, she did not need long to think. After graduating from school, Julija chose to study transport engineering at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) and never hesitated in her decision. She continues to apply the knowledge and skills she gained during her studies in a current job.

How she got in, the value of the profession, what Julia is doing now, and her prospects after graduation – a broader look with Julia herself.

Was more interested in model cars than dolls

– Julia, tell us when you became interested in cars and the transport sector?

– My first contact with cars was when I was a child, as I often saw my dad working on the car. I was fascinated and sometimes helped him with various small tasks. While playing with other kids, I preferred cars and models over dolls.

My interest grew every year. I knew how cars worked, what causes of breakdowns were, how safety systems were created, and so on. All this led to my final decision to study transport engineering after school, because it is these engineers who bring such ideas to life.

– It’s clear that your environment played a role, but the career prospects probably helped in making your decision?

– Naturally, career prospects appealed to me. The transport sector is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in the world, so the range of opportunities is very wide. I felt that my niche in the transport field was safety and reliability. I wanted to directly contribute to ensuring these important aspects. I’m happy because I ended up exactly where I wanted!

A Broad Perspective and Vision

– What do you see as the advantage of transport engineering studies?

– I would say it’s the versatility. An engineering student wants to gain practical experience, to design and manufacture, but for that, theoretical knowledge is required. If you need to design something, prepare a diagram, you first have to perform analysis, calculate the suitability of materials, assess mismatches, imagine how your design might look – only then can you start the production process. This is what makes these studies useful, as the balance between theory and practice is closely tied, and I still today apply the skills I gained.

– What skills have you retained from your studies?

– First of all, spatial imagination. I can look at a vehicle and mentally visualize its components, technical nodes, and fastening points. Since every dimension and data in drawings must be accurate to the millimeter, I also carry my attention to detail with me.

Another skill is critical thinking, which is developed through tasks and problem-solving situations presented by lecturers. It was necessary to think quickly, find the hooks of the problem, and discover solutions. I’m happy because, in my work, I often encounter unique cases that require different solutions each time and a critical view of the problem. Without my studies, it would certainly be a bit harder. Skills like drafting, vehicle and parts design, and knowledge of machine elements help me better understand the documents I review at work. Essentially, I also understand the company’s logic and why things need to be done in one way or another.

– Julia, what are you doing with your transport engineering degree?

– I work in a slightly different "tower" than one might first think, that is, at the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration. I review vehicle drawings, technical parameters, and assembly documents for vehicle components, which I also then evaluate. I am the final word, which determines whether a company can manufacture a planned vehicle, parts, and so on, or if specifications need to be improved.

– And do you apply the knowledge from your studies in this role?

– Exactly!

Artificial intelligence – a colleague, not a rival

– Automation, artificial intelligence, and robots are becoming more and more integrated into the transport sector. Is there still a need to prepare engineers for the future?

– Engineers have always been needed, still are, and will always be needed. Without engineers, there would be no robots or artificial intelligence. We create, maintain, and supervise all of that. Especially now, the engineering profession is very promising and has many directions in which a young person can focus after their studies. There are now many concepts for new electric cars, sustainability and ecology are being discussed more loudly in the transport sector, and ultimately, infrastructure is improving year after year. These are just a few areas that require competent, ambitious, and even creative engineers. Who knows, maybe someone from today’s generation will finally create an affordable and practical flying car?

– What would your advice be to young people considering studies in this field?

– I believe it’s hard to decide where to study, but I strongly recommend trying out transport engineering studies. I have no doubt that ambitious, curious, and brave young people today can create many new and innovative devices that will bring value to all of us. So, if you are passionate about natural sciences, curious, meticulous, and want to contribute to shaping the future, transport engineering can help you achieve this goal.

Original article source: Delfi.lt

Prepared by: Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration and Kristijonas Razickas

Photo authors: Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration and Martynas Ambrazas

In the photos: J. Bluseviciene and colleagues