Q&A with Rishab Sharma

The welcoming culture of Western Engineering showed me how easy it is to find your place.

Rishab Sharma 

Fourth Year Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

 

Rishab is a student ambassador here to answer your questions. Click here to contact Rishab.

Why Western Engineering?

Coming from a small high school, I was intimidated by university and worried about making friends, especially since only two people from my high school came to Western, and neither was in engineering. Choosing Western also meant being in London near two of my childhood best friends, who attend Fanshawe. While we are still best friends today, my fears about making new friends quickly disappeared. The welcoming culture of Western Engineering showed me how easy it is to find your place.

What do you do in your spare time?

To balance my academic life, I love going to the gym and staying active. When relaxing at home, you can usually find me playing video games such as Batman: Arkham Knight and The Last of Us, or playing Minecraft with my brother. I also enjoy watching anime and movies, as well as cooking and baking. My absolute favourite thing to make is my super-secret banana bread recipe, which I love baking for my family and friends whenever I get the chance.

Can you talk about your extracurricular activities at Western?

As part of the Western Biomedical Engineering Club’s electrical subteam, I’ve worked on developing an ACL rehabilitation sleeve, focusing on PCB design and coding. Coursework and labs build your foundation, but hands-on design experience through clubs takes your skills to the next level. I encourage students to get involved because clubs bridge the gap between theory and real-world engineering. They give you practical technical projects for your resume and connect you with a supportive community.

Why did you choose your specific stream of engineering?

In high school, I was torn between healthcare and engineering. I chose engineering, but during first year, I learned about the Biomedical Engineering dual-degree option and knew it was the perfect fit. Mechanical Engineering was originally my top choice, but my average placed me in Electrical Engineering, my second choice. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. I completely fell in love with electrical engineering and would now choose it as my top stream every time.

What is your favourite book, movie or TV show?

My favourite movie is Guava Island, a tropical musical short film written by Donald Glover, who stars alongside Rihanna. As a huge fan of his music as Childish Gambino, I love that he created much of the film’s soundtrack, and seeing him perform live one day is high on my bucket list. Guava Island combines incredible music, unique visuals, and rich storytelling to create a memorable film that I always enjoy revisiting.

Who do you look up to/admire and why?

I have admired Spider-Man ever since I was a kid. Peter Parker is defined by his resilience and commitment to helping others, even while balancing an overwhelming workload. He is not perfect, but no matter how difficult things become, he always gets back up and faces every challenge with heart and humility. He constantly reminds me that, regardless of the obstacles I face, I can push through them while continuing to support others.