The Blueprint and the Bottleneck
Six years ago, during my high school university application period, I knew with absolute certainty that I wanted to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. I was fascinated by the mechanics of the world, how engineers design products that shift human capability, how they generate ideas for groundbreaking innovation, and how they transform a blank canvas into a functioning machine. I wanted to understand exactly what went on inside their heads.
But reality can be deeply disappointing. I was rejected from the mechanical engineering programs at three top universities in Indonesia. Instead, I was accepted into the pure physics major at Universitas Indonesia. Rather than giving up, I chose to view this as a strategic detour, an opportunity to build an unshakeable foundation in advanced mathematics and physics while adapting to university life.
The Ideal vs. The Actual
I learned a massive amount during my time in the physics department, eventually growing comfortable with the abstract nature of the science. Yet, the original dream never faded. I knew I wanted to be an engineer, not a researcher. Physics taught me how the universe behaves under ideal conditions, how things work in pure theory, exploring the formulas that shape our understanding of existence. While intellectually fulfilling, it wasn't my destination. I didn't want to just calculate formulas; I wanted to build physical things.
What followed was a relentless, high-stress attempt to reclaim my original path. After my first year of physics, I retook the highly competitive entrance exam for mechanical engineering.
I failed.
That specific failure completely shook my confidence. It triggered a wave of intense self-doubt, making me question whether I was actually smart enough to be an engineer, or if I should just accept that pure physics was where I belonged. For a moment, I resolved to forget the dream entirely.
The Final Iteration
But obsession has a way of overriding doubt. By my second year of physics, the urge to build returned. I decided to attempt the engineering entrance exam one last time. The workload was brutal; I was studying engineering modules in my personal time while simultaneously grinding through incredibly demanding university courses like quantum physics. When that third exam was over, I completely let go. I left the outcome entirely to the universe.
When the results finally loaded on my screen, I literally jumped out of my seat in shock. I was in. Not only did I pass, but I got into Mechanical Engineering at Universitas Indonesia. I had finally unlocked the door to the mechanical engineering department.