Profile
Katie Mahon
Curriculum Vitae
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Work History:
9 month Internship in AIRBUS, France & 5 years in BCD Engineering, Ireland
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Current Job:
Mechanical Design Engineer
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Employer:
BCD Engineering in Charleville, Co. Cork
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My Work: I design tanks and pressure vessels for the drink & drug industry (pharmacy drugs of course!)
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Using 3D design software, I draw up pressure vessels and tanks on my computer for our customers. I also do pressure calculations to make sure the tank will be safe to use in the factory. I have design reviews with the guys who are going to make the tanks, as well as reviews with our customer to make sure they are happy with the design. Once everyone is in agreement, I order all the materials to make the tank. Then I issue out a pack of drawings to the workshop where the tank is made from stainless steel. We are lucky to have a workshop beside us so we can see a project come off the page & become real life in a matter of weeks. Once it’s built, the customer comes to our workshop to make sure they are happy with the finished tank before we deliver it to their factory.
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My Typical Day: A typical day could involve some 3D CAD work, updating pressure calculations, a design review with the customer or workshop, ordering materials and a visit over to the workshop.
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What I'd do with the money: I’d help EWB (Engineers Without Borders) provide clean water to a town in Uganda
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Engineers Without Borders in an international not-for-profit organisation. It tries to share the knowledge & experience of engineers all over the world with people and communities who need some help. A project might involve planning & installing a water supply or electricity supply to a village in a developing country. The Busoga Trust is a Water & Sanitation NGO (Non-Government Organisation) based in Jinja in Uganda. A number of Irish engineers are selected by EWB to volunteer for 3 months. The first placement happened in 2013 & they are hoping to continue & add to the work every year.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Friendly, Enthusiastic & Creative
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
To be responsible for my designs & see a project all the way through to the end
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
I’ve always wanted to know how things work. My Grandad was a mechanic & I used to love seeing cars opened up & taken apart in the garage.
What did you want to be after you left school?
I never really knew. When I was very small I wanted to be a famous singer… and I’m not even a good singer!.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No we were all goody-two-shoes in our all-girls convent school. The worst we did was put a school uniform on the Holy Mary statue….
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
An artist… probably with no money :)
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Too many favourites! These days I’m listening to lots of Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Etta James
What's your favourite food?
Thai Green Chicken Curry with lots of vegetables
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Visited an elephant sanctuary in Thailand – we got to feed, wash and ride the elephants!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To always be grateful for everything I have in life, to make a positive difference to the people around me, and to have healthy & happy family & friends
Tell us a joke.
Did you hear about the prawn who went to the seafood disco? He pulled a mussel…
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