Template for Asgmts 2-5 (1)
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of Notre Dame *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
0011
Subject
English
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by BailiffFlower6169
Aarya Dani
ENGR 0011 Sanchez 1:00
The Blueprint for my Engineering journey
AND321@pitt.edu
My Vision for becoming an Engineer.
Origin Story
The speculum that held my eye open was almost the worst part of the surgery, second only to the laser that fried the first layer of skin cells on my eyes. The doctors followed a simple routine – 30 seconds
with the laser, 2 minutes of rest, and an application of yellow drops that coated my eyes to numb the pain.
The drops were almost as cold as the room, but as Bruno Mars’s “The Other Side”
played in my left ear, I
gathered some remaining willpower to persevere. The two-hour process was almost done, and I could hold on for another couple of minutes. With a pair of light-sensitive goggles strapped on my face, I walked out of Kremer Eye Center's chiseled tan building with the cross-linking procedure completed.
However, as the days passed, it was not the cost of the surgery, or the pain felt that lingered with me. It was what the secretary stated to my father and mother, that “some of our patients see that bill you have in front of you and can’t afford it. It’s unfortunate that they’re denied this life-changing treatment.” The gravity of the situation dawned on me, and I began to appreciate the subtle, yet influential engineering innovations that allowed for the preservation of my vision. According to Johns Hopkins University, 1 in 2000 people are diagnosed with keratoconus, often in their mid-30s. Thankfully, I learned
about my condition and received the cross-linking procedure before I turned 17. While I have always had problems with my eyes due to my nearsightedness, color blindness, and keratoconus, I took the support systems for granted. After the surgery, my sight allowed me to have a new vision to make these procedures affordable and accessible.
Hypothesis
My aspiration to enhance the affordability and accessibility of medical procedures can be pursued through various academic paths, such as bioengineering, biochemistry, and mechanical engineering. However, I firmly advocate that pursuing a degree in chemical engineering aligns best with my objectives. This choice is rooted in the degree's emphasis on honing analytical, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills, all of which are vital in addressing the multifaceted challenges in healthcare. Moreover, chemical engineering offers a wealth of diverse job opportunities, making it the most pragmatic and effective choice for my mission.
Engineering Strengths
Subheading (if you are including a subheading)
Engineering is not only one of the most sought-after and respected majors but also a field that demands a specific set of skills for success. In this context, I aim to highlight the essential skills that a chemical engineer must possess to excel in their career and illustrate how I have demonstrated these strengths in various aspects of my life.
Analyzing data is a critical skill for chemical engineers. As highlighted in the description of chemical engineering by the University of Washington, “Chemical engineers employ and design data science methods to visualize, analyze and predict chemical and biological properties. Data is obtained in a
multitude of ways, ranging from high throughput instrumentation, gene sequencers, to computational simulations” [1]. Throughout their careers, chemical engineers are tasked with the responsibility of observing and dissecting data to comprehend how systems operate and to develop data-driven engineered processes. Consequently, it is imperative for me to possess the capability to effectively analyze and gather
Aarya Dani
ENGR 0011 Sanchez 1:00
data. Fortunately, I already have a strong foundation in analytical skills, as evidenced by my results from the Clifton Strengths assessment [2]. This proficiency equips me with one of the essential skills needed for success in the field of chemical engineering. Moreover, I further refined my analytical data skills during my senior year of high school while conducting research at the North Montgomery Career Technical Center. This experience allowed me to sharpen my abilities by meticulously documenting observations from the laboratory experiments in which I participated.
In addition, it is all but imperative for engineers to have problem-solving skills. Engineering, as a major, is all about problem-solving. In an article published by Stanford researchers, they state that “approximately 50% of departments use these [chemical engineering] courses as evidence that students are learning how to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems, and 50% report that these courses teach students how to design a chemical engineering system or component” [3]. Both parts mention have aspects of problem solving integrated in the chemical engineering pathway, making it a crucial skill for engineers to possess in the workplace. Although I've applied problem-solving skills in various aspects of my life, a notable illustration was my participation in the First Lego League competition, where I constructed a LEGO robot. This robot required precise programming and the attachment of specific tools to accomplish tasks on the course. The process of designing these components, deliberating on which tasks to tackle, and programming the robot significantly enhanced my problem-solving abilities. This experience played a pivotal role in initiating my path as a chemical engineer, imparting valuable lessons in logical thinking and the importance of efficiently achieving objectives.
Finally, communication and teamwork are both skills that are necessary for any career, but especially in chemical engineering. The National Library of Medicine states that “teamwork is another important skill required of graduate engineers, and while it is difficult to define, it is regarded here as a social strategy built upon knowledge, attitudes, skills, and the ability to combine cognitive appreciation from all team members” [4]. In both educational and professional settings, collaboration stands as an essential cornerstone for chemical engineers. Whether engaged in research and development or immersed in the intricacies of data analytics, these individuals operate as a cohesive unit, pooling their collective expertise to surmount any challenges that may arise during the developmental process. One of the most gratifying instances of teamwork that I have had the privilege of participating in occurred during my tenure on the high school water polo team. During one practice, our coach orchestrated an exercise that required the entire team to pass the ball among themselves, with a caveat that prohibited passing to a teammate treading water adjacent to us, and each player could only handle the ball once. Amidst the ensuing chaos, my fellow captains and I collaborated diligently to ensure adherence to these rules. This exercise demanded a significant degree of cooperation to guarantee compliance from every participant. It remains one of my cherished team-building experiences, one from which I intend to draw upon and apply in both my academic pursuits and future professional endeavors.
Job Opportunities
SOURCES
12] D. Whalen. Former Head of Value Chain Analytics. Interview regarding his career as a chemical engineer. 09.26.2023
[2] “Pay – Chemical Engineers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. [3] CLIFFORD STRENGTHS ASSESSMENT
[4] Journal about Chemical Engineering:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1749772820300579
Aarya Dani
ENGR 0011 Sanchez 1:00
[5] Engineering Society Website of Publication: https://www.cheme.washington.edu/undergraduate_students/datascience#:~:text=Chemical%20engineers
%20employ%20and%20design,gene%20sequencers%2C%20to%20computational%20simulations
. [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7501796/
[1] “Gender and Sexuality.” First-Year Living-Learning Communities. Office of Residence Life. University of Pittsburgh. 2019. Accessed 09.09.2023. https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/reslife/llc/firstyear/
[2]. “ENGCMP 0210 Syllabus.” ENGCMP 0210 Seminar in Composition: Engineering. University of Pittsburgh. 2023. Accessed 09.13.2023. https://canvas.pitt.edu/courses/163391/files/10051543?module_item_id=3239420
. p. 5.
[3] J. Harvey. Swanson School Advisor. Talk on time management. ENGR 0081. Swanson School of Engineering. 09.07.2023.
[4] “Student Global Co-ops and Internships.” Swanson School of Engineering. 2023. Accessed 09.10.2023. https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/student/programs/coop/students/global-co-ops-and-internships/
[5] I. Mentor. Fall 2023 ENGR 0011 TA Office hours. 2023. Accessed 09.10.2023. https://canvas.pitt.edu/courses/179882/pages/ta-office-hours?module_item_id=3264355
[6] D. Sanchez. Associate Professor. Email correspondence regarding SSOE Department of Industrial Engineering. 09.07.2023. ADDITIONAL SOURCES
“Disclosure of Personal Information.” National Society of Professional Engineers. 2019. Accessed 11.08.2022. https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/ethics-resources/board-ethical-review-cases/disclosure-personal-information
E. McGee. “Racial stereotypes drive students of color away from STEM, but many still persist.” The Conversation. 12.15.2020. Accessed 11.08.2022. https://theconversation.com/racial-stereotypes-drive-students-of-color-away-
from-stem-but-many-still-persist-149379
J. Mogensen. “I’m a Black Female Scientist. On My First Day of Work, a Colleague Threatened to Call the Cops on Me.” Mother Jones. 06.15.2020. Accessed 11.08.2022. https://www.motherjones.com/anti-racism-police-protest/2020/06/blackintheivory-racism-academia-science-stem/
K. Powell, R. Terry, and S. Chen. “How LGBT+ scientists would like to be included and welcomed in STEM workplaces.” Nature. 10.19.2020. Accessed 11.08.2022. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02949-3
.
“Public Health and Safety-Observed Structural Defects and Inspection by County Building Official.” National Society of Professional Engineers. 01.30.2020. Accessed 11.08.2022. https://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/BER19-10-APPROVED.pdf
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text. Text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text. Text text text text. Text text text text text text. Text text text text text text. Text text
text text text text text text text text. Text text text text. Acknowledgment of AI Use
If you used ChatGPT or any AI Generative software to create any part of this assignment, you must include this
special subsection of Acknowledgments, in which you will specifically explain how and in what way you used AI as
a tool, including which parts of the assignment were influenced by AI. Remember, however you use AI, you as the
author MUST retain agency and authority over your work.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Aarya Dani
ENGR 0011 Sanchez 1:00
Aarya Dani
ENGR 0011 Sanchez 1:00
Cut-and-Paste Rubric Here