Today, we are sharing an interview with Inês Costa, a student in the Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (LEEC). Her academic journey has been shaped by a wide range of activities, from organising events to participating in projects.

Choosing a degree was not a straightforward process during her primary and secondary education. Although both of her parents are electrical engineers, Inês explains that she was also encouraged to explore the arts throughout her childhood and teenage years, taking part in music-related activities from an early age. "At one point, I wanted to become a concert pianist," she recalls. Her education combined regular schooling with studies at the National Conservatory Music School. Alongside music, she also developed a passion for drawing and graphic design, even considering architecture as a possible career path.

At the same time, however, her interest in science continued to grow, particularly in subjects such as physics and mathematics.

I tried so many different things, and that's exactly what I'm still doing now. I think that's the best way to figure out what I really want.

Inês Costa, Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering student

Motivated by her wide-ranging interests, she visited several universities during open days and took part in initiatives such as Summer at ULisboa. Her goal was to gain a better understanding of the degree programmes available and the careers they could lead to. During secondary school, she also represented Portugal in the international stages of the Physics and Mathematics Olympiads, an experience that gave her the opportunity to attend preparation programmes covering topics such as electromagnetism, mechanics, and optics—subjects typically taught in higher education.

After also discovering a passion for programming and realising that LEEC combined all three of her main interests, she decided to apply to the programme at Técnico. "Despite its challenges, I couldn't picture myself at any other school. (...) I've learned so much—not only academically, but also about myself and how to face challenges. I genuinely enjoy being in this programme, and I don't regret choosing LEEC at Técnico," she says. She highlights that her experience at the School has provided opportunities to explore many different paths.

[During EIA] we had to build a real prototype, develop the entire marketing strategy, take care of the financial management, (...) deal with the legal and intellectual property aspects, and then pitch our startup—developed in just three weeks—to investors and a panel of judges.

Inês Costa, Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering student

Among her extracurricular activities, Inês Costa took part in the European Innovation Academy (EIA), a three-week programme that challenges participants from different countries to develop their own startup with the support of industry experts. Her team created a system capable of verifying whether the artificial intelligence models used by companies complied with legal regulations, considered the broadest possible range of data to promote fairness, and avoided ethical risks.

Beyond developing a prototype, Inês highlights that this programme was where she learned "the most about things that weren't directly related to my degree," particularly in areas of entrepreneurship such as business planning, financial management, and identifying a target audience.

Following this experience, Inês realised that greater contact with industry professionals could also inspire fellow students and strengthen their motivation for the degree. For this reason, she joined the team responsible for organising talks and workshops for Técnico's Electrical and Computer Engineering Days.

I think there are many people who choose Electrical Engineering because they didn't get into another programme. They become a bit frustrated, and on top of that, the degree isn't easy. I want to show that Electrical Engineering offers so many different paths. It's something I genuinely believe in.

Inês Costa, Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering student

She also emphasises the importance of creating initiatives that highlight the achievements of women in engineering, given the gender imbalance that still exists in Electrical and Computer Engineering. "I had the opportunity to organise EmpowHER, hear these inspiring stories, and create an event where people could see that women really can succeed in engineering and achieve everything they set out to do. For me, that's incredibly important," she says.

In terms of projects, Inês worked with fellow students to develop a voice assistant designed for older adults, capable of carrying out activities that stimulate cognitive function, such as storytelling and reminders. She also contributed to the development of a robot aimed at supporting land reforestation. This latter project was awarded third place in the Sustainable Innovation Challenge, organised by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).

During her first year, she was also a member of the electronics and software department of RED (Rocket Experiment Division), part of AeroTé, Técnico's Aerospace Engineering Students' Group, where she learned how electronic systems for rockets are designed and programmed. However, her desire to explore other fields while maintaining her academic performance and personal hobbies eventually led her to leave the team.

I never give up my hobbies. (...) One thing that's very important to me is setting priorities. Time is like money: if I'm investing my energy somewhere, I want it to be in the things that matter most to me. Knowing why I'm doing something gives me motivation.

Inês Costa, Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering student

Although she has completed her formal music education, Inês remains closely connected to music through piano lessons and by singing with her conservatory choir. "I'll continue with music because it's part of who I am. It's something that's very important to me, and I want to keep it in my life because it's always a great way to grow as a person," she explains.

For Inês, music is much more than a hobby. In addition to her passion for the arts, balancing mainstream education with music studies until her first year at university helped her develop strong organisational, planning, and time-management skills. "Having to combine both throughout primary and secondary school forced me to become very organised and manage my time well so that I could dedicate the level of effort I wanted to each area, using a planner to keep everything on track," she recalls.

When asked about the greatest challenges she has faced at Técnico, Inês points to the increasing academic demands she experienced over the past year. "I have to work much harder. It's more difficult, and I think Técnico is a test of endurance," she says. If she could give one piece of advice to prospective students, it would be to choose the programme with genuine motivation. "I'd say: go for it, but make sure it's something you truly enjoy. It's an amazing experience, but it isn't easy." She adds that doubts and setbacks are part of the journey, but the important thing is never to give up. To conclude the interview, she recalls the words of former Portuguese President Mário Soares: "Only those who stop fighting are defeated."

Come, have fun, try as many things as you can to discover what you truly enjoy, and don't worry if you don't succeed the first time.

Inês Costa, Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering student