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Engineering Methods for Biological Systems Engineering.As a sophomore, I was required to take an Engineering Methods for Biological Systems Engineering course. With little previous knowledge and experience in engineering, I was completely removed from my comfort zone. In this course, I was “thrown into the dark.” We were given real-life engineering problems to solve, but little knowledge beyond that. As a result, I was forced to often stumble through the various engineering programs, running trial after trial, until I was able to finally attain results. This course not only gave me experience with various forms of engineering software utilized in classes and in the professional workplace, but also provided experience beyond the textbook. I was able to learn to troubleshoot and find solutions to problems. This allowed me to experience what it is like to solve problems without simply following the textbook procedure. It also allowed me to learn to utilize the resources of others. By working with my classmates, results were obtained quickly and efficiently. Overall, my methods class taught me to work as a team member, to utilize the resources around me, and to troubleshoot through problems while also giving me experience in working with engineering software programs.
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Cooperative Education Program.Eager to gain experience in my field of engineering, I interviewed with various companies for a Cooperative Education position. This position would allow me to work in a hands-on, out-of-classroom experience for three full semesters. I quickly decided to work for Weston Solutions, a company that provides environmental consultation and work in the field I am interested in. Once again, I was pushed out of my comfort zone; I was one of the few females ever to work in the field, not to mention one of two college students. At the testing plants, I learned to run a meter box and test air emissions according to EPA standards. In the lab, I was responsible for sample processing as well as basic chemical analysis. While at Weston, I was also challenged to improve my interpersonal skills, communicating effectively with co-workers far older than I am. I was taught to work as a team and to seek guidance and advice when necessary. However, I was also challenged and held responsible for producing accurate and reliable results on my own, whether this is in the field-testing of air emissions or lab analysis. Thus, while working as a cooperative education student for Weston Solutions, I was able to improve both my professional skills as an engineer as well as my interpersonal skills as a co-worker and team member.
Pictures courtesy of Georgia Power and Weston Solutions. |
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Introduction to Polymer and Fiber Engineering.As a freshman, I was required to take an Introduction to Engineering course. However, it did not have to be an introduction to my specific branch of engineering. As a result, due simply to scheduling preferences, I elected to take Introduction to Polymer and Fiber Engineering. I will never forget the first day of class when my professor boldly announced "You are going to build either a skateboard or a guitar from carbon fiber." I remember thinking to myself that he surely had to be kidding. I knew nothing about skateboards or guitars much less how to build one from carbon fiber composites. Initially, I was extremely overwhelmed with the seemingly-daunting task. However, I was able to learn a great deal from this experience. I was taught how to work as a team member: to hold my teammates and myself accountable. I also learned to seek out guidance when needed. Since I had no prior knowledge on the subject, I learned humility in admitting that I did not know how to go about this project and needed help. While I undoubtedly gained valuable knowledge in carbon composite manufacturing and created a quite unique skateboard, I also learned communication, teamwork, and humility: lessons valuable far beyond my introduction to engineering course.
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Summer Engineering Internship.After finishing my cooperative education experience and entering my final year at Auburn, I was eager to gain more professional experience to prepare myself for my future career. Remaining in Auburn for all of my co-op rotations motivated me to push myself out of my comfort zone for the summer in order to learn from new experiences and develop my leadership skills. Not only did I seek a summer internship outside of both Alabama and Louisiana, but I also sought out jobs in which I had no previous experience. I wanted to be immersed in something I was completely new to; truly forming a fresh foundation and challenging myself as a future engineer and leader. Luckily, I came across the perfect position in the Pensacola, FL office of HDR, Inc. Through my time at HDR, I was exposed to a variety of aspects involving transportation engineering and water management. With the guidance of my senior co-workers, I learned to excel in a challenging and unfamiliar environment. Seeking new experiences afforded me a stronger knowledge in the business/engineering world not previously available to me. For example, through my time at HDR, I learned to communicate with my supervisors when interested in a project and that “stupid” or “too many” questions do not exist. My experiences also afforded me enhanced technical writing and communication skills. But most importantly, my time at HDR taught me to be bold in the workplace: asking to get involved in what appealed to me, communicating regularly with my supervisors, and constantly seeking leadership growth through new experiences.
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