Morena Cokaj
M. Cokaj - The charm of construction sites: everything in its place
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Morena, 21, attended a science-oriented high school and, before starting her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at SUPSI, completed a nine-month internship at an engineering firm: an experience that opened her eyes, first and foremost, to the fact that civil engineering was truly her path. Visiting construction sites and watching projects take shape was an incredible experience for her. At SUPSI, she has the opportunity to grasp the practical side of what she studies, as the projects she works on reveal the meaning behind each step and every challenge she will later encounter in the professional world.
Why did you decide to study civil engineering?
I’ve always loved technical drawing. I was torn between architecture and civil engineering. Before starting at SUPSI, I did a nine-month internship at an engineering firm and discovered the difference between the two paths. I loved the internship, it gave me a rhythm, a lifestyle. I spent time on site, and that allowed me to “put the pieces together,” to fully understand the meaning of what I was drawing and designing in the office. On site you see what the finished structure or building will be, and you talk to the other people involved, you have to communicate with them: together you create a unique building with a purpose. Even just seeing the structure lets you imagine the place that will come to life and that you helped create. Following the entire construction process is wonderful! And of all types of projects, I prefer houses, because they become family hubs, they welcome people.
Why did you choose the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at SUPSI in Mendrisio?
I wanted hands-on experience, not just piles of books without truly grasping the concepts. SUPSI turned out to be a completely different world from all the schools I’d attended before. It isn’t purely theoretical like other universities or polytechnics: it prepares you for the profession. By working on projects, you understand the subject and how the different elements behave. Without that, the university path wouldn’t make sense to me. I’ve never liked the word study, because it sounds like an obligation; to me, it’s about learning. I always tell myself: it’s knowledge for you, you’re doing it for yourself.
What has been particularly meaningful in your journey so far?
I love the lecturers because they put their heart into it, they want you to learn and make the subject your own. They listen and are approachable. It’s great when you think something through, you grasp the meaning, and suddenly everything clicks. In my first year, for example, we had to design the structural project for an industrial shed. I thought, “How are we going to do this?”. In less than three months we did it, even though at first it seemed impossible. On presentation day, in front of lecturers and assistants, I had my notes and calculations and could see the result of my work. Projects really test you: you assemble them piece by piece with your knowledge, and every week you discuss them one-on-one with the lecturers. I like that precision is required: this is how it is, this is how you must do it. Once you understand the concepts, you can build anything, and everything gains meaning. If you understand it, you make it yours. Memorizing is useless; you have to understand, and little by little you build your own pieces, your own world, your own toolkit.
Has your way of looking at buildings, bridges, and roads changed?
Yes. For example, I always take the train, and stations have lots of truss structures (a topic we covered in first year). They’re everywhere; before I didn’t even notice them, and then suddenly I saw them all around me. Once you analyze something, you gain a new perspective. My approach is to “step into” the structures I’m dealing with – say a beam – as if I became that beam: if a load is placed at a certain point, what happens? If something falls on it, how does it behave? If you understand the basics, you can keep progressing and understand more and more, step by step. That’s why I like it so much.
After completing her high school diploma, Morena attended the APA-Assisted Practice Year (which included the professional internship she mentions in the interview, recognized and organized by SUPSI) before starting her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.