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In Conversation With... Elvis Tinago

 

BLT in Conversation with Elvis Tinago

 In these informal discussions, our Grass Roots intern Meg Bray delves into each of our guest's backgrounds, explores what makes them 'tick' and poses a few questions relating to their future opportunities and aspirations.

So...why don't you grab yourself a coffee or tea, kick back for a while (you deserve it!) and read the first in our current series of BLT interviews by Meg as she talks to one of our Fresh Advisor Board Members (the FAB15). 

The first instalment of this series features Elvis Tinago; a fifth-year aerospace engineer student from the University of West England, and a new member of the FAB15. 

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Hi Elvis, thanks for taking some time to talk with me. My first question is where did you go to university? 

Elvis: I went to the University of West England in Bristol, and I’m still there actually! I finish this year and I’m studying aerospace engineering. A pretty technical term but a very interesting course.

How many years is the degree?

Elvis: It’s a 4 year degree without a placement but 5 years with one, and this is currently my fifth year.

What has been your favourite part of university?

Elvis: Well I was lucky and managed to do the first four years without the current pandemic interfering. The social setting is different to anything I previously experienced before. I went to Sixth Form College and University is more concentrated around time management and more independent, it's left up to you to manage things. It's up to you to find your way.

So ..when you're not studying what is one of your favourite things to do on a day off? 

Elvis: Before the pandemic my weekends were usually filled with playing sports, playing hockey for the university hockey team but now it’s more doing little side projects and playing games. Save the exercise for the summer.

It's too cold to exercise in winter! Apart from hockey is there another sport you enjoy? 

Elvis: I play football as well but not as competitively, more for fun on a Friday night and then hockey games on Saturday and Wednesday.

Very social sports. Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person? 

Elvis: I can be a very sociable person, but I also enjoy my own space. I think there’s a balance you need to achieve in the middle.

I agree, being both introverted and extroverted can help you see things from a different perspective. What is one thing that can instantly make your day better? 

Elvis: That’s a huge question! It's hard to pinpoint one thing but possibly food! It’s a good day when I have had food.

No matter how your day is going, food can always make it better! What's your favourite type of food? 

Elvis: Now I’m at Uni I like dinner the most, if my day was bad then I can de-stress by cooking dinner from scratch. So anything I make and eat at dinner is my favourite.

I also find cooking therapeutic. How do you manage to keep yourself motivated and what do you consider to be your career highlight so far? 

Elvis: For me joining the FAB15 was wanting to be involved with something I care about and being part of the FAB is really cool so that keeps me motivated as I care about the work we do on the FAB. As for career highlight, I would have to say doing my initial professional registration. There are different professional registrations you can have, they measure if you have developed the skills and demonstrated them. So being able to get that, especially as I don’t come from an engineering family, for me that was a big deal and a huge career highlight.

Was that something that helped drive you? The aim of getting that initial professional registration? 

Elvis: It was but something else that really drove me was representation. I wanted younger people to realise they can do anything and see me representing that. I didn’t see any engineers who looked like me when I was younger and I want every young kid to get the opportunity to maximise their potential and be what they want to be.

      That's a wonderful, deep and meaningful answer. Wanting to be a role model and highlight diversity in STEM is an amazing motivation and goal. Values seem to be important to you so what would you say are your 3 core values?

Elvis: I would have to say, Integrity, Commitment and Simplicity.

My final question is what do you want your FAB15 legacy to be? 

Elvis: I’m new to the FAB as I only joined in January and I think I would have to say representation and listening to everyone’s perspectives, helping RS engage with more young people. I know the company quite well so I know how we can keep young people interested and reach out to more people to show them what RS have to offer.

 

 

RS Grass Roots is the Education & Community Impact team at RS. Grass Roots champions young engineers with exciting opportunities to nurture the next generation of outstanding innovators! Industry now demands graduate engineers with not only the knowledge but crucially the skills and practical experience to solve real problems and create new designs. Whether you are an academic working to enhance the educational experience or a student tackling your latest project - RS is here to help.
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