Engineering the World: Finding Your Place

Paul J. Kostek VP Communications & Public Awareness IEEE-USA p.kostek@ieee.org

Agenda

1. What engineers do & types of engineering2. What I do3. My background & experience4. Rewards & challenges of my job5. Future trends & technology’s influence6. Outlook for people entering the field

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What Engineers Do Engineers in general are problem solvers Engineers design things that have real world

applications Many of the products and man made structures

that we use in our daily lives, required engineers Engineers look for practical applications for

things scientists and others discover Main engineering fields are Mechanical,

Electrical, Civil, Aerospace, Chemical Some others are Nuclear, Environmental,

Petroleum, Ceramic, Agricultural

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Aerospace Engineering

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Architectural Engineering

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Automotive Engineering

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Chemical Engineering

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Civil Engineering

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Computer Engineering

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Electrical Engineering

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Electronics Engineering

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Industrial Engineering

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Marine Engineering

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Mechanical Engineering

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Petroleum Engineering

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Robotics Engineering

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Types of Engineering

• Aeronautical• Aerospace• Agricultural• Architectural• Automotive• Bio-chemical• Bio-engineering• Bio-medical• Ceramic• Chemical• Civil• Computer• Electrical• Electronics

• Environmental• Fire Protection• Flight Test• Forestry• Geophysical• Geological• Geothermal• Heating, Ventilation, & Air

Conditioning• Human Factors/ Ergonomics• Hydraulics• Illumination

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Types of Engineering (continued)

• Industrial• Logistics• Lubrication• Manufacturing• Marine/Ocean• Materials• Mechanical• Metallurgical• Mining• Nanotechnology• Nautical• Naval Architecture• Nuclear• Optical

• Oceanographic• Petroleum• Plant Management• Plastics• Refrigeration• Robotics & Automation• Safety• Software• Structural• Telecommunications• Transportation• Welding

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What I Do

I am a systems engineer with Physio Control Corporation in Redmond, Washington.

We produce defibrillator/monitors used in ambulances and hospitals

I work with customers, and internal groups to come up with next generation designs and implementations

One of our challenges is applying new technologies in saving lives. Gathering data and transmitting to the hospital.

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My Background & Experience

In my home state of Massachusetts I attended a vocational/technical high school where I studied electronics

I attended a community college and then the University of Massachusetts, where I earned my BS in Electrical Engineering

I started my career in the defense industry Moved to Seattle and worked on the 757/767

for Boeing Moved into consulting and then joined a start-

up in e-commerce

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Rewards & Challenges

I’ve worked in several different industriesInteresting problems Interesting peopleInvolved with several professional organizations

– IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers)– AIAA (American Institute of Aero and Astronautics)– SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)– PMI (Project Management Institute)– INCOSE (Intl Council on Systems Engineering)

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Professional Associations

Most engineering disciplines have professional associations or societies that are a place for people to come together to share common interests, discuss problems they’re trying to solve, new designs and network.

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Professional Associations (continued)

There are local chapters/ sections of professional associations in the areas you live in and at most universities

Opportunity to network, develop communications and leadership skills, internships, work on projects, e.g. – SAE sponsors a formula 1

competiton: http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/

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UW Formula 1

Future Trends and Technology’s Influence

Computers and the Internet will continue to impact all engineering fields, including Engineering Education

Green is growing Power industry – wind/solar/wave/geothermal Autos Buildings

Civil Engineering will be critical to replace bridges, older structures & environmental improvements

Bio-medical is seeing strong growth Nuclear is returning

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Future Trends and Technology’s Influence (continued)

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are expanding the Web, communications, entertainment (gaming); social networks, energy and transportation

Exploration of space and undersea will also provide opportunities

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Outlook for People Entering the STEM Fields

Excellent job prospects with unlimited variety of work

Math & science are important as are good study skills

Have to use your creativity and like designing things

Like taking on big challenges and helping people solve problems

Need good communications skill, teamwork and the ability to influence others

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Current Employment/ Unemployment data Through 3rd Quarter 09

All Computer Profs 5.4% 5.4% 6.0% Software Engineers 4.2% 5.0% 4.7% Sci & Systems Analysts 5.7% 6.4% 7.3% All Engineering Profs 3.9% 5.5% 5.9% Electrical & Electronics 4.1% 8.6% 7.3% Mechanical Engineers 4.2% 5.6% 9.5% All Professionals 3.7% 4.3% 5.6% All Workers 8.4% 8.5% 8.9%

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Future Employment for Engineers

National We’re starting to see a recovery in engineering

employment should continue fairly strong, particularly civil & environmental

International Many companies have international facilities or

international suppliers U.S. engineering consulting companies do a lot

of international work

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Working in a Global Economy

Global projects require global skills– Communications/Language– Culture understanding– Flexibility and ability to adapt to

changes

Other Things to Think About

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Your unselected references– MySpace/Facebook – What do these say

about you? – Establish a presence on LinkedIn

Let people know who you are; what you’re studying and your professional interests

Resources

7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey

The 4 Realities of Success (During and After College) – Bob Roth Order at: The4Realities@aol.com

Web sites: – www.ieeeusa.org– www.sae.org– www.aiaa.org– www.incose.org

Paul Kostek Contact info: p.kostek@ieee.org

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Thanks!

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