Maintaining Foresight

After telling someone my major, I usually get the following response: “Um, Wow.  So why did you pick engineering?” Sometimes I’m dumbfounded, but then realize that not everyone is me.  It can be difficult for others to comprehend why engineers chose what they do, especially in these wondrous years of college.  This can even lead to you pondering the choice, especially after the countless all-nighters and numerous ounces of caffeine consumed over the years; “Why didn’t I just pick Psychology?”

Well, I have an answer: Maintain Foresight.  It’s useful regardless of situation.  Why did YOU choose this major?  The following reasons should NOT be the main reason why you wake up groggy every day.

1. The money.
2. My parents told me to do it.
3. I like math.

Okay, now don’t get all controversial with me.  Let me tell you why these are not good reasons.  

1. You can make a ton more money in other professions.  The hefty paycheck is a nice incentive, but should not be the ONLY incentive.  
2. It’s your life, live it!  Your parents want what’s best for you, but if you truly aren’t into the-whole-I’m-doing-math-all-the-time thing, you are probably are in the wrong major (If you can use your abilities to your fullest, I would go for that…most parents just want to see their kids to be successful).  Also, I never want to get out of bed saying, “I’m learning heat transfer because my mom-told-me-so.”  Sorry, Mom.  
3. Math is the basis of engineering principles.  However, MATH does not equal ENGINEERING.  Again, an incentive, but shouldn't be the main reason.

So I’ll admit.  I’ve used these answers a time or two.  To be honest, these answers do not maintain a strong argument with you or your inquirer.  Here are the questions I ask myself:

1. What inspired you?  Machines?  Astronauts?  The Shuttles?  I always dreamt about being in the flight room during shuttle takeoff;  I would probably start smoking if I took that job, haha.  My other dream job: the packaging engineer who makes it possible to get everything inside a 2x2x1 box….but never back in once you take it out…  I always know that person is semi-genius.
2. Who do you look up to?  I often refer to the JPL engineer as my reference.  But there are certain faculty in MAE, where I say, “I want to be in her place in 15 years…”

These two questions have helped me maintain foresight during a set of homework problems.  Where did you come from and where do you want to go?  Keep these questions in mind, and nothing will sway you from your dreamsJ. 

Frankenstein

For the past year or so, I've been reading some classics that I never cared about in high school. I didn't like reading until I got to college.  Last summer, I read Frankenstein, and I thought it was so wonderful! Here's why I thought it was awesome:

Frankenstein was written during the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment is one of the best eras for us scientists and engineers, because this is when the scientific method started to evolve.  There wasn't as large of a reliance on God, and some people started to take a Deist approach on the universe.  Without a large part of the research during the Scientific Revolution, many of us would not have the iPhone that we have today.


Professor Frankenstein wanted to be the creator, not the observer.  He attempted to replicate life, and ended up making something so ugly, nobody wanted anything to do with it.

It discusses the morality behind science. Should we attempt to better human life? Or should we just let it be? There are implications to our research, even though they may not be intended.  Look at the movie I am Legend. Such a fantastic, modern day approach this.

Frankenstein goes beyond your classic horror movie. It really delves into the relationship between life and science and is a warning for us.  There is philosophy behind science, whether or not you want to believe it. 

Marketing Yourself (and your company)

So Simon Sinek came to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center a few weeks ago.  At first, I was very skeptical.  However, I do enjoy learning about the science of manipulation by reading things such as Malcolm Gladwell or taking a basic psychology course.  You learn a lot about yourself and others and how you could/should function in this world.

I will have to say that is argument is valid.  Here's why:

1) He's pretty cute.  But sorry ladies; from what I know, he has a girlfriend.  


2) We rely heavily on our feelings...especially us women.  For instance, it takes me a very long time to get over an initial bad feeling about someone.  I admit, it's hard to trust this person personally.  Sometimes my intuition is correct, sometimes its not.  Usually if I'm right, I'll find out fairly quickly and say, "I knew it!" 


I don't want to ruin his book/ TEDx presentation. Feel free to investigate for yourself. :-D