In order to obtain detailed and genuine information about a topic or an individual, interview is a very important approach. From writing, documenting and coming up with a research paper on an important topic, interviews provide a great way to learn detailed information. Apart from face to face interview, there are other forms of interviews such as through mail, chats and phone call. Normally, interviewing involve engaging different kind of individuals, both professionals and non-professionals. Identifying approaches, presentation and determining proper questions to ask the person to interview are very important. In this case, the interview with a professional mechanical engineer will thus require a good knowledge of the profession so as to gain the professional opinions and details well. In Mechanical Engineering, writing can be different and more demanding than general common writing forms. Formatting in engineering standard ways is very important in the field (Parrish). Summarizing the topic and giving detailed information in the body about the topic are some of the basic ideas in writing in the majority of the professions. Although there are different styles, types and formats in writing, there are those common and often use in some profession. On this topic, I will write about APA, and MLA, to clarify what guidelines mechanical Engineers need to be familiar with for essay writing. Since we need attention from an expert on this subject, this paper is based on research and an interview that I did with a mechanical engineering instructor in the Engineering department, Prof. Kahtan Awni & Prof. Aklhlko Kumagai and one of gradated student that work in the department. The paper gives the outcomes of the interview with a professional mechanical engineer.
Firstly, in the interview with Prof. Awni, I learned that almost all works of writing in the field of mechanical engineering should be written in the past tense when it comes to article based on experiment, especially the abstract part. I learned that in order to write as an Engineer I should look up for articles, journals, and reports using legitimate references, whether these references are website, journals, or books. References in this the mechanical engineering should help me generate more ideas about engineering writing. In fact, finding sources should not be difficult if one follows the instructions provided by the library in the university website. Secondly, based on my experience as a student, and according to Prof. Awni’s answers, I realized that there are some differences between writing a technical paper in mechanical engineering field and writing paper in humanities courses. Writing an essay from humanities perspectives gives more space for the writer’s opinions, a space for argument. On the other hand, writing in mechanical engineering, is more about how much your data are concise, objective, and accurate. Although the language of mathematics and physics are more likely to be involved in mechanical engineering, writing, the use of photo and diagrams is helpful to match the audience’s background. The audiences are wide, thus a mechanical engineering writer has to know how to convert technical terms like stress field, and resonant frequency of easy expression that everyone can understand.
Finally, based on the information from website, interview, and my own knowledge of the field of mechanical engineering, I believe that writing within the field can be easier than writing within the humanities. I learned from the interviewee that my goal as a mechanical engineering writer should be to communicate design ideas, and show results in simple format. I also became familiar with new writing styles, like ASME, so I know what my mechanical engineering course's professor is looking for in project, abstract, article, journals, etc. This interview helped me to gain confidence in myself because I realized that I was missing points as a result of not strictly following the instruction.
In summary, as a mechanical engineering student, I have to define the audience first so I can decide what guidelines I follow. Writing for professional journals is different from writing for the public. Moreover, to write an abstract that is based on experiment, it had to be in the past tense. Although there is no a specific writing guidelines, I have to pay attention to what professors expect to see in my papers. To do so, follow instruction is the key. Therefore, all styles such as APA, MLA, or Chicago can be used. I also learned what it means to use technical terms and to translate mathematical symbols to words. For example, 10n is ten times a number. The ability to translate words to symbols and vice versa is what will enable me to write for different types of audiences. The most valuable advice Prof. Awni gave was that “mechanical engineers utilize writing daily to communicate design ideas, create manufacturing instructions, report test results, verify project progress, create user manuals, and disseminate information that meets the rigorous standards of scientific inquiry.” Writing skills are essential for mechanical Engineers to document their design calculation, to ease complicated concepts, and to reach readers.
Question and Answers: Based on An Interview with a professional of Mechanical Engineer.
Education and Experience
What is your bachelor's degree in? Master's degree? Doctorate?
Who was influential in your decision to choose this field of study?
I can say that my Parents and teachers played a major role in advising and guiding me to become a mechanical engineer.
Did you work in this field before you went to teaching?
Yes. I had much experience already.
Do you think you will work in this field in the future?
Yes, I will work given a chance.
Have you ever thought you should have chosen a profession other than teaching? Why or why not?
No I don’t think so because I am comfortable and happy with teaching
What courses did you take in college that best prepared you to teach?
N/A
What level of education is required to teach the courses you teach?
PhD level
Do a lot of students ask for interviews? What are some of the topics?
Yes they normally ask on various topics especially on research and how to undertake project and writing project proposals.
Verbal and Written requirements in the field
What classes do you teach, primarily?
I teach a manufacturing class.
What genres or types of writing do you assign to your student?
ASME format is the one I commonly recommend my student to use.
What are your expectations for student writing?
Writing good and understandable assignment writings without any plagiarism.
What documentation style do you require your students' to use to organize their information, cite secondary sources and to coherently format their writing? Why do you require this documentation style?
I require ASME styles from students. The reason for this is that it is easy for me to format and also because it is required in publication.
How important are verbal and written communication skills in your classes?
Verbal and written communication skills in my classes are very important because it enable one to enhance their personal skills.
What type of speaking and writing are required?
Majorly English
Are you required to publish articles in academic or professional journals?
I am required to publish articles in professional journals.
What kinds of articles have your written and published?
Journals dealing with manufacturing and automobile industries
Could you recommend academic or professional journals that students in this major or minor should read to learn more about the subjects you teach and academic discipline?
I would encourage student go get access for the additional information by using ASME and SAE standard
Teaching Profession
How have you adapted to communication and technological changes in your discipline?
I have manage to it by physically learning and undergoing personal training and reading from the internet
What are the most rewarding and challenging parts of your job?
Seeing my students succeed and graduate and become very important people in the society
Typically, how many hours a week do you spend preparing for classes, teaching and grading essays?
Between twenty and sixty hours
Closing Questions
What advice do you have for a student who wants to be a successful student in this academic major or minor?
They should develop the urge of knowing how thing are done
Develop attitude and passion on the major or minor he or she doing
Working smart and within time in order to achieve the best
Works Cited
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Retrieved from http://www.lib.vt.edu/find/citation/asme.html
ASME Journals Digital Submission Tool Guidelines and Information. Retrieved from http://journaltool.asme.org/Help/AuthorHelp/WebHelp/JournalsHelp.htm#Guidelines/Getting_Started.htm
Parrish, A. Mechanical Engineer's Reference Book. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 2014. Internet resource.
Purdue OWL. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/747/
