From Music to Mechatronics: Melvyn Lim’s Quest for Purpose and Balance

"So, what's next?"

A question every fresh graduate is confronted with as they enter the most intimidating and uncertain chapter of their lives so far. For Lim Teck Wan (Melvyn), a 23-year-old fresh graduate in Mechatronics Engineering from Monash University, the answer lies in forging a path that combines technology, a drive to contribute to the world, and an outlet for creativity. 

With a background in robotics and a passion for teaching, Melvyn is setting his sights on making a meaningful impact in engineering, all while nurturing his love for music and helping others through tutoring. 

His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to finding balance in a life pulled in all sorts of directions. 

Navigating Career Choices and Pursuing Engineering

Before setting his sights on mechatronic engineering, Melvyn spent his early years envisioning a future in music. 

Introduced to rock at an early age by a primary school teacher, he instantly fell in love with the genre, pouring countless hours into not only studying the classics but teaching himself how to play the instruments he was so entranced by listening to. Transfixed by the process of learning and performic, Melvyn threw himself into the study of musicianship, learning multiple instruments in hopes that he could fulfill his dreams of becoming a rock star himself.

However, as Melvyn got older, he had to truly consider his long-term prospects. Recognising the practical realities of pursuing a career in music and giving his future much-needed reflection, he decided to explore other avenues that would provide a more stable foundation for his journey. "I felt it wasn’t a sustainable path at the time, so I decided to find something that would still fulfill me, but more viable."

Engineering seemed like a natural fit, combining his strengths in both mathematics and art. With a solid academic background in these areas, he found that engineering offered a way to creatively solve problems while also providing a sense of security; mechatronics stood out due to its unique blend of mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineering. His fascination with robotics, which took root in his childhood when he participated in school robotics teams and enjoyed building and tinkering with robots, played a significant role in this decision. "When I looked at Mechatronics, it reminded me of the robotics projects I loved doing back in primary school. And Legos were always my favourite toys. It just felt like the perfect fit."

Although practical considerations influenced his path to Mechatronics Engineering, it quickly became apparent that this field allowed Melvyn to combine his technical skills and creative interests. His journey reflects a thoughtful balance between passion and practicality, setting him on a course to make a meaningful impact in the world of robotics and beyond.

University Life at Monash: Balancing Engineering and Passion

Having the first half of his degree’s pursuit coinciding with the pandemic, transitioning from online learning to physical campus life was no easy feat for Melvyn. But as challenging as the shift was, it naturally brought a world of opportunities, in-person interactions significantly enhancing his academic experience. "When campus finally started opening up again, I felt this pressure to not waste it, which did bring some stress at first. But because of this pressure, I got to have some amazing experiences."

In the classroom, Melvyn found himself incredibly intellectually fulfilled. As rigorous and demanding as the study of Mechatronic Engineering is, it provided him an outlet to explore his creativity and technical abilities, the fulfilment of which easily outweighed any academic stress he encountered. A vital revelation for Melvyn was how he thrived in project-based learning environments, where he could bring together diligently studied theory and practical, real-world problems. His most memorable projects included designing a hand gesture recognition smart glove for his final-year project and working on a group project to develop an essential oil sorting machine. These hands-on experiences, where he had the chance to build something from scratch, became highlights of his academic journey.

While face-to-face classes brought Melvyn a newfound sense of purpose, he understood that balance was key to academic longevity. He embraced this balance by diving into a vibrant extracurricular life, where he not only excelled but truly thrived. Having a keen aptitude for sports and athletics, Melvyn went from being a member of his house volleyball team to the captain in only a year. "My time as captain taught me how to lead under pressure, work with different personalities, maintain a positive attitude through it all, no matter the challenge," he reflected. Beyond becoming a better athlete and leader, volleyball was an experience that taught him the power of collaboration and unity. 

Even with a busy schedule, Melvyn made it a point to never leave his love for rock music unattended, leading him to make the easiest decision he made during his time at Monash: joining the music society. Although Melvyn came in with the intention of meeting like-minded music lovers, he was still surprised at how quickly he was able to find musicians who also shared a deep passion for rock and metal. Quickly finding his people, he dove headfirst into the club, joining multiple bands and finally putting all the dedication he poured into learning various instruments to good use. 

While he didn’t pursue music as a career, it remained a vital part of his university life, offering him a break from the demands of engineering and a reminder of the importance of pursuing personal passions alongside professional goals.

Tutoring: Giving Back and Developing Skills

During his final year at Monash, Melvyn picked up part-time tutor work as a way to fund his many interests, but what began as a means of building income would flourish into a passion, forming an unexpected outlet for Melvyn to rediscover his love for Mathematics and Physics. “I’ve always been good at Math, and I’ve always enjoyed learning it. I wanted to bring that enjoyment to my students, a lot of whom were struggling with their studies.” Through tutoring, he discovered his ability to break down complex concepts into digestible, relatable bits that made learning more accessible for his students.

Inspired by the mentors he received guidance from in studying and competing in mental arithmetics during his adolescent years, one of Melvyn’s primary goals now as a leader lies in making Math enjoyable and engaging, particularly for students who found the subject intimidating. Melvyn’s approach focuses on using real-world examples and interactive methods to keep students engaged. “Math can be fun once you see how it applies to real life. I love seeing the moment when a student gets it, and their confidence grows.” His dedication to tutoring has not only helped his students succeed but also developed his own skills in communication, problem-solving and patience.

Looking Ahead

Melvyn is currently focused on building his career in Mechatronics and gaining international experience, eager to contribute to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of engineering.

Working towards kickstarting his career in Singapore, he hopes to broaden his horizons and learn from different engineering cultures. “I want to experience different working environments and push myself to grow as not only an engineer but as a person.” This desire to broaden his cultural horizons also forms the basis for his long-term goals, Melvyn’s dream to travel and experience all that the world has to offer. "I believe seeing the world from different perspectives is key in truly shaping ourselves, both personally and professionally.” This broader ambition reflects his desire to live a well-rounded life, balancing career goals with personal exploration.

Beyond anything, Melvyn’s journey has unveiled the importance of balance. In a day and age that endlessly promotes excess, the art of compartmentalising and prioritising has become increasingly elusive as we fall deeper and deeper into the clutches of overconsumption. Learning to harmonise the notes of academia, career goals, a passion for tutoring and an undying love for music within the fleeting jingle of life, Melvyn has found a sense of equilibrium and stability in a world that has done everything it can to strip us from it.

Chugging along at his own tempo, Melvyn is poised to make an impact on not only the world of engineering but on the people around him, all while in constant discovery of himself.