Flying high

“ONE of my fondest childhood memories was when I was asked what I want to become when I grow up. Whilst my classmates blurted out their dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, and some profession their parents have, I said I wanted to be a pilot because I was curious about aeroplanes,’’ recalls Ewe Jin.
Ewe Jin never forgot that day and since then he has turned his eyes so many times to the sky to observe the wispy white lines that jet planes scribble on the clear blue sky. Initially wanting to become a pilot, he later realised that he wanted more than just flying an aircraft.
“I became very curious and started asking a lot of questions. Thankfully, Science somehow provided those answers if not all. In secondary school, I knew I was going to do mechanical engineering as that is where my passion lies, I want to solve real-world problems and create solutions."
Ewe Jin is now a field service engineer (FSE) at General Electric (GE), a Fortune 500 company and a leading commercial aircraft and engine lessor and lender in the world. He took up MEng Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace at the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus.
He spent the first two years of the MEng degree on the Malaysia campus and the final two years on the Highfield campus in Southampton. In July 2016, Ewe Jin graduated and secured the job within three months after graduation.
Getting into GE was not easy for Ewe Jin. “I started applying a few months before even graduating. My current job role was actually my second application as I failed to secure the first.’’ Despite the setback, this did not deter him from applying for the second time.
“In hindsight, I learned that sometimes you have to fall before you fly. You should not give up on your dream so soon. Perseverance and determination will reap rewards one day.
When fears are grounded, dreams take flight
As a FSE, Ewe Jin sees himself spending more time in Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) these days since his job role requires him to support the AirAsia fleet which is powered by a total of 361 GE turbofan engines.
“Working in the aviation industry has always been my dream, being an FSE has given me a wonderful opportunity to witness jet engines which have been in development for close to a decade coming into service and helping people to get to places efficiently and in the fastest way possible."
He is responsible in providing customer and product support to clients should any engine-related problems arise. His job also requires him to oversee and ensure that the entry to service occurs as seamlessly as possible.
“I have a couple of things I’m working on and one of them is working together internally with my team members and externally with customers to identify high time engines to carry out pre-emptive actions to ensure these engines do not disrupt operations. My studies has definitely helped in this task as I was able to understand the theory behind the actions taken which allowed me to appreciate the importance of this measure,’’ he explained.
As with any other job, challenges are bound to happen. According to Ewe Jin, jet engines generally operate in harsh conditions and within tight schedules. “One thing that frustrates me the most is the environmental factor – the rain plays a big part on the scheduled tasks hence we have to always make sure we get the most out of the aircraft ground time to work on the jet engines as well as have a Plan B when things are not going well."
Don’t just fly but soar
“Don’t be afraid to dream big. This sounds cliché but this is the thought that will drive you forward and one day, you will achieve greatness,’’ shares Ewe Jin who was always known as a go-getter among his peers.
“Treat time as an investment. Use your time wisely to develop yourself. And whenever possible, get yourself out there, expose yourself to new experiences as these will enable you to learn and grow,’’ advises Ewe Jin.
During his second year in the Malaysia Campus, he worked as an intern at Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia, a producer of large aerostructures for commercial and defence aircraft. He was involved in utilising computer aided software to calculate different parts of an aircraft to ensure that it is within its allowable limit as well as understanding the theory behind it.
Asked how he envisions himself in the near future, Ewe Jin said, “I see myself picking up a leadership role in the future to inspire others and carry on growing with GE, revolutionising the digital industry and helping them cementing their position as the global leader in the aviation industry."

About the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus
The University of Southampton Malaysia Campus, an international branch campus of the University of Southampton, is located in Educity, Iskandar Malaysia.
Established in 2012, the Malaysia campus offers world-class engineering programmes including MEng in Mechanical Engineering, MEng Aeronautics & Astronautics, MEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Engineering Foundation Year.
Offering a unique student experience, the university enables students to spend their first two years in Malaysia combined with the final two years at a researchcentred university in the UK. Learn more at www.southampton.edu.my