Find out everything you need to know about SurreyEARS by reading our interview with Josh!

Please introduce yourself – what year are you in? What degree do you study? Some of your interests? Position in the committee?

I am Josh Bird. I’m a first year Electronic Engineering student and the Community Outreach Officer for SurreyEARS. I am interested in all things tech and all things environmental!

What does your society stand for? Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?

Our society is a must for all those with an interest in making things. We have a 24/7 Makerspace stocked with all the equipment, tools and materials you could need, and we also run workshops for Robotics and Programming. There’s always lots of group projects to get involved with too, such as building rockets or driving Moon Rovers.

How do you join your society? Is there a membership fee to join?

Head to our webpage and click join! Joining is completely free, but we charge £5 per year for 24/7 Makerspace access.

Are there any benefits from purchasing the membership? Society social cards? Etc

Did we mention 24/7 Makerspace access? This is a must for all engineers!

Do you hold any social events? If so, what are they?

Not many socials, but there are still loads of opportunities to spend time with like-minded people through the workshops and projects we run.

As a new student, it may be a little daunting to attend a social when they do not know anyone. What’s your best advice for first year students?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! We’re a really friendly bunch and love to see people showing an interest in electronics. My advice would be to try stuff out, first year is a great chance to get involved with all the projects we’ll be running.

Does the society organise any trips that are relevant to your degree?

Yes, we always attend and sometimes even host the National Student Space Conference, an absolute must for engineers!

Could you tell us a little about being on a committee? Highlights and challenges…

Being on committee is a great way to have a say in what the society gets up too. It is also a great way to meet and chat with all of our members. There’s a fair amount of work and organisation that goes on behind the scenes but it’s all worthwhile.

What’s your fondest memory as a society member?

Setting up a renewable energy powered LED display at the Chelsea Flower Show.

 Why do you think people should join your society?

People should join our society so that they have the opportunity of developing practical engineering skills, and spending time with other like-minded students.

For more insights into our society, head to our Facebook and Twitter pages.