University at Buffalo (UB)
You're not going to know the answer to everything, that's not what being an engineer is about. Being an engineer is understanding that you have so many resources around you, whether it's books or coworkers or whatever, that you can use to get to an answer. It may not be the right answer, not yet, but it helps you move forward."
What types of work have you performed? What projects have you worked on?
Process Engineering Work. Including chemical plant design, small process system design, P&ID writing, review, and editing, Equipment specification, safety system development, and process hazard analysis.
What have been some favorite aspects of your work?
Just the ability to apply a little bit of my knowledge to a project to people that have been in the field for decades, all while leaning on a team to pick up the areas I don't have as much experience with.
What was one of your most satisfying days as an engineer?
One of the better days was actually spent translating some documents from Japanese to English. Not necessarily engineering but it was the process of using my resources to solve something I never thought I would come across.
Was it worth it? What has your engineering background made possible for you? What value has it added to your overall life?
It was definitely worth it. The struggle of going through college itself, not just the engineering program, really provides you with the skill set and mindset necessary to progress through life, not just progressing through a job.
What would you say to the first-year students currently sitting in your shoes?
Thinking during the first worksheet, "I have no idea how to solve this garden watering problem. If I can't figure this out how am I going to solve something way more difficult?" But after that, just sitting back and seeing that I'm not the only one who is having trouble, and that there are other people that do have an answer here but maybe not an answer to the next question.
You're not going to know the answer to everything, that's not what being an engineer is about. Being an engineer is understanding that you have so many resources around you, whether it's books or coworkers or whatever, that you can use to get to an answer. It may not be the right answer, not yet, but it helps you move forward.