Reflections on Engineering Education and Practice

Sep 22, 2024

Civil Engineering Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Speaker's journey in civil engineering at Imperial for three years.
  • Excitement about graduating and the responsibility of designing safe structures.

Personal Experience

  • Initial excitement about learning and personal growth.
  • Reflecting on challenges and feelings of being out of place.
  • Background: Franco-Australian, attended an international school in Paris.

Transition to University

  • Enthusiasm at Freshers' Fair, signing up for multiple clubs and activities.
  • Realization that peers had different priorities and perceptions.
  • Struggled with feelings of isolation due to varied interests compared to classmates.

Engineering Responsibility

  • Emphasis on the significant responsibility of engineers.
  • Comparison to surgeons: mistakes can lead to severe consequences.
  • Internal conflict about balancing diverse interests with engineering focus.

Life-Changing Experience

  • Attended One Young World summit in Pittsburgh.
  • Engaged with young leaders and speakers, including President Clinton.
  • Realized the importance of passion for people and the environment in engineering.

Shifting Perspectives on Engineering

  • Engineers' roles should extend beyond technical skills; need to be communicative and social.
  • Society's perception of engineering often viewed as isolated from other fields.
  • Importance of breaking down silos between disciplines.

Change in Educational Approach

  • Need for universities to adapt and assess practical implementation skills alongside academic performance.
  • Engineers should be encouraged to engage with broader societal issues.
  • Importance of communication and collaboration among engineers and other fields.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement for students to include engineers in various discussions and initiatives.
  • Need for society and companies to recognize the diverse skills of engineers.
  • Call for a shift in perception and practice around engineering education and collaboration.