Mechatronics

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Read the latest news from the Mechatronics group.

Even if I was not particularly interested in technology as a child, I soon discovered that I was interested in how things work. After secondary school I tried one year of design courses but discovered that I was more interested in chemistry and process technology.

After two years of education and two years of practice I qualified for the trade certificate. After these four years I moved to Grimstad. There was no doubt that I wanted to continue studies - Mechatronics at the University of Agder. To get admitted to this study program, I had to take a one-year qualifying program to get the required competence for university studies.

After three years of interesting courses and a Bachelor thesis at the company Aker Kværner MH the time had come to search for a job. I always wanted a job which would give me challenges as well as the possibilities for travel and also to work offshore. After visiting the annual career fair at UiA, I met representatives from Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS). They have a fleet of seismic ships which survey the geology of ocean floors. They use a series of air-cannons which create a pressure wave which is reflected in the sea floor. The signal is reflected and returns to the ship after some time/distance and these signals are converted to 3-dimensional maps which show where there is potential for finding oil or gas. PGS operates in all the major oceans of the world, and they also have operations on land. This seemed like the perfect job for me.

The position I applied for and later got offered was called Seismic Observer. To work on a ship which uses several kilometers of cables and advanced equipment is increadibly exciting. My job involves looking after the recording system which receives the pressure signals, control the data quality in real-time and perform maintenance of electronic equipment on board, as well as all the kilometres of measurement cables behind the ship.

The best thing about this job is the freedom and all the possibilities. We work in shifts - 5 weeks on the ship and 5 weeks free. To have free 5 weeks is a real privilege. By freedom, I also include the time on the ship. It is challenging work with long days, but being an integral part of a team which works towards a common goal gives me a lot of new knowledge. We are well looked after while on board, which give us the opportunity to focus 100% on the job. A 12-hour shift does not feel that long when you do not have to think about daily routines, like shopping and cooking. In addition, you learn a lot about technical equipment on board a ship - if something breaks, you need to fix it yourself.

My first job was on board Nordic Explorer in Vietnam. To be flown to Vietnam and then participate on a "cruise" through Ha Long Bay, which contains beautiful cliffs on the UNESCO World Heritage List, was an experience which I will never forget. After this first job, I have experienced even more countries and continents as well as the far north of the Barents Sea.

The choice of Mechatronics has given me many new challenges and options, and I have absolutely no regrets about choosing this education. Mechatronics is a broad and multi-disciplinary education which gives you the knowledge to choose among many different types of jobs in different industries.

Tilde Eidem - 31.mars 2009

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