Jusong Cai has always been fascinated by mechanical engineering and machines. As a young person, they enjoyed assembling models and watching construction equipment. In college, they led a project to design a multi-functional device. They had a formative experience at a power fair in high school where they saw advanced generators and learned about mechanical technology. This inspired them to pursue mechanical engineering to design efficient machines. In college, they took a hands-on class where they learned skills like using lathes and milling machines to make a hammer handle. They are committed to both theoretical and practical learning to become a qualified mechanical engineer.

1. Personal Statement
Jusong Cai
Showing great passion for assembling car and airplane models as a youngster,
being fascinated with mechanical excavators on the road as a teenager, and
carrying out a project aiming to design a multi-functional device with my
teammates in college, all demonstrate that the attraction of Mechanical
Engineering is always inspiring me to make outstanding achievements and
progress in this field.
This can be aptly exemplified and illustrated by the case of my experience in a
National Power Fair hosted in 2012 in my hometown - Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province.
I was eighteen years old then, a high school senior year student. I was fortunately
chosen to be a volunteer, working on the decoration of the exhibition halls, guide
for the guests, and providing brief translations for the foreigners. This experience
improved my communication skills, teamwork, and time management. And the
most important thing was: I gained the chance to see many mechanical
corporations and their products.
It was my first time to witness so many renowned enterprise representatives,
each showing their ambition to grab market share. I met up with a sales manager
called Jesse and a product engineer called Camp in the Fair. They talked with me
about the sales and specifications of their competitive products when showing
me around their booth. It was my first time to see so many high-tech machines
like diesel engines and generators with perfect design and high performance. The
generators were installed inside a metal box and had an ability of transforming
diesel into electric power. The internal structure of the machines was also
impressive. Surrounded by a series of magnet, the coils were attached to a shaft
in the center. When I saw the shaft spinning, hundreds of kilowatts of power was
generated from the coils and a microwave oven was powered just in a second! I
could tell through their eyes that they were confident in their advanced
mechanical technology. I was strongly attracted by their ample knowledge,
unique ideas and personal charm when listening to their speech.

2. Consequently, they, to a large extent, set examples for me. After this experience, I
determined to make great efforts in mechanical engineering and it is my
tenacious belief that I will finally make it because of the words of Robert Collier
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out”.
The unforgettable experience is my source of inspiration, aspiration and
perspiration. After entering college, I couldn’t wait to select a hands-on class that
instructed students how to use lathe, drill, milling machine, and 3D printer in the
machine shop. In the class, I was assigned to make a handle of a hammer with the
lathe. Mounting chuck and changing collets to install a steel bar was the first step
to complete. And next was to adjust the tool holder and the tailstock when I
wanted to use different cutters or drill holes. Making screw thread is the hardest
part because I needed to move the cutter position precisely with my right hand
and control the lathe speed with my left hand at the same time. I failed to make it
after a few trials but that did not upset me. The words of Robert Collier were
always kept in my mind, which gave me power to overcome difficulties and move
forward to success. I realized I was self-motivated and determined through this
hands-on experience. Even though some of the steps were really tough, I finally
solved the problems and found the genuine interest inside.
I can hardly imagine a situation without the advent of machinery. They have been
bringing us incredible convenience for over a century. Consequently, the dream of
designing efficient and effective machines, I believe, is always my career to
pursue in my lifetime as a mechanical engineer. It is important for me to learn to
become a qualified engineer step-by-step and little by little, just like building up
a machine is a process of installing components one by one. I also keep it in mind
that a balance should be maintained between theoretical studies and hands-on
practice. I am committed to studying with motivation, innovation, dedication,
diligence, life-long learning, and good study habits.