Sheldon Labandino

Forged in Manufacturing

Engineering experience can often reveal both how much has been learned and how much more there is to discover. For Sheldon Labandino, working across production, manufacturing, and equipment maintenance gave him firsthand exposure to the demands of industry and the importance of continually improving how engineering challenges are approached. Over time, the hands-on experience eventually sparked a deeper interest in him. Rather than limiting his focus to familiar mechanical processes, Sheldon became interested in areas such as design and advanced mechanical simulation. 

Sheldon’s Push to Go Further

Sheldon’s first engineering role became an important point in his journey. But even though the experience strengthened his engineering commitment, it also made him realize that he needed to keep learning. “I wanted to challenge myself, learn new things, and understand the engineering principles behind problems so that I could approach them from different perspectives and develop better solutions.” 

That realization changed how Sheldon viewed his professional development. Rather than simply building on his existing experience, he began looking for ways to broaden his engineering knowledge and apply it more effectively. “I have always believed that when you genuinely love what you do, you naturally become hungry for more knowledge and continue looking for ways to improve yourself.” 

With that mindset, pursuing a master’s degree was an opportunity to push beyond familiar territory and open the door to new possibilities in Sheldon’s career. This eventually led him to enroll in the Master of Engineering (Mechanical) (CRICOS Course Code: 0100463) at EIT. 

Shifting into Higher Gear with EIT

Moving from industry into postgraduate study brought Sheldon into a different kind of engineering environment.  

His experience at EIT has introduced several elements that have added depth to his postgraduate journey. According to him, it began with EIT’s theoretical component and how it is being delivered in the classroom. “I really appreciate how engaging and approachable the lecturers are. They encourage students to participate, ask questions, and reach out by email whenever they need guidance.”  

Sheldon also appreciates the support of EIT’s Learning Support Officers, whose regular check-ins on his progress make his learning experience feel more personal and supportive. 

That classroom foundation extends into EIT’s labs and hands-on workshops, where Sheldon has been able to put theory into action through hands-on activities involving engineering tools, equipment, experiments, and data analysis. “The workshops mirror an actual industry environment, where engineering professionals rarely work alone and need to collaborate with people who may have different experiences, skills, and ideas.”  

Moreover, EIT has enabled Sheldon to experience engineering outside the classroom through its industry site visits. “Seeing real facilities, technologies, and engineering processes provides a broader perspective on the different industries that are developing and the direction in which engineering technology is moving.”  

That connection with industry, for Sheldon, became even more tangible through EIT’s professional experience. “EIT provides support in helping students find industry placements suited for their background and interests. It was a great success because, in my case, it eventually led to a part-time job related to my engineering field.” 

From Theory to Torque

The value of Sheldon’s EIT experience becomes even clearer when his learning moves from the classroom into his professional work. The technical knowledge gained throughout his master’s studies has expanded the way he approached challenges in actual mechanical practice. “One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been the finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and engineering simulation.”  

Sheldon has also gained a deeper understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, machining, product development, and emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing and metal 3D printing. Alongside his gained technical knowledge, these industry experiences also strengthened his communication and collaborative skills, while his studies have built greater confidence in technical writing, research, time management, and problem-solving.   

“In my current role in a part-time job, I have been exposed to machining, metal 3D printing, particularly Laser Powder Bed Fusion, build preparation, powder handling, post-processing, part inspection, design, and other manufacturing activities. EIT has helped me look at these tasks from a deeper engineering perspective.” 

Learning Through Challenges

Putting new skills into practice has also come up with its share of challenges. For Sheldon, balancing coursework, work, and personal responsibilities requires discipline and adaptability. Learning new engineering software and navigating course demands have also pushed him to pursue his studies, particularly when simulations and experiments do not produce his expected results.  

Research has been another significant challenge for Sheldon, particularly when narrowing a topic, identifying a meaningful research gap, and developing an appropriate methodology. However, the process has also strengthened his ability to refine his thinking and work through complex problems. “The feedback and guidance I have received from my supervisors have helped me continuously refine my ideas and develop a clearer research direction.” It taught Sheldon to be patient, seek guidance when needed, and remain persistent when an approach does not work the first time.

Engineering Beyond the Master’s

As Sheldon looks ahead, his goal is to build this foundation through continued experience in the mechanical engineering field. 

He hopes to contribute to better products, more efficient manufacturing processes, and the development of emerging technologies. His experience has also reinforced his belief that growth in engineering never really stops. 

For those following a similar path, Sheldon’s advice is straightforward: “Ask questions, participate in workshops, attend site visits, take professional experience seriously, and do not be afraid to learn something new.”  

Most importantly, Sheldon encourages future EIT students to keep developing alongside the profession itself, for engineering will always present something new to learn.