Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
Industry placement gave me a great opportunity to learn many things. During the time I spent in the industry placement, I learned how theory is translated into practice. In school, we learn many concepts in various subjects. Sometimes it is very hard to imagine how the concepts apply in practice. The placement offered me a chance to apply the engineering concepts we learned in class. I practically applied basic science and engineering fundamentals in making judgments regarding the specific tasks I was given to handle. I also understood that in some instances there is a slight difference between theoretical aspects of basic sciences and engineering fundamentals with practical applications.
In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
One of the engineering discipline I acquired more skills, knowledge, and experience is fluid mechanics. Given that the company I was placed is involved in water projects, the concepts I gained in fluid mechanics class were relevant in most of the tasks I participated in. For example, I applied fluid mechanics knowledge in the design, installation, and operation of water systems for irrigation as well as for domestic and industrial consumption. Some of the tasks included sizing of various components and interpreting manufacture’s specifications for various items in the product catalog. The placement also further gave me an opportunity to learn how fluid mechanics concepts are used to offer effective solutions such as efficient irrigation systems.
Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
In the industry placement, there was nothing routine. The company is involved in providing solutions to various clients. Therefore, every task presented an opportunity to identify a problem, analyze it, and come up with a solution. One of the major assignment I participated in was finding a solution to an irrigation problem encountered by our client. The client had been operating an inefficient irrigation system for long. Our task was study the situation in the field, identify all problems, and then design a system that offers greatest benefits to the client. The solution offered to the client not only improved efficiency in water consumption but also save the client a lot in terms of cost.
Ability to utilize a systems approach to design and operational performance
When finding out solutions to problems presented by clients, the approach was to look at the overall picture of the whole situation rather than address only issues concerning specific parts. For example, in the design of an irrigation system, the approach is to look at the overall system. An irrigation system comprises land, people operating, and source of water, plants, surrounding environment, and the irrigation equipment among others. In the irrigation equipment, there are many parts working to deliver water including the pumps, pipes, valves, and other parts. Therefore, during design, all these factors are considered. Further, even provision of the solutions involves a system of stakeholders working together including the client, the company employees, contractors, and product distributors among others.
Ability to communicate effectively with engineers and also with the community at large
Communication during the industry placement was inevitable. Communication involved not only engineers we were working together but also other stakeholders and the members of the community. There was also various modes of communication including internet, face to face, phone, and non-verbal. When communicating with people, I learned to employ effective communication skills such as timeliness in responding to e-mails, being courteous, being a good listener, patient, not interrupting when one is talking, speaking clearly, and understanding others. I also learned that communicating with different audience required different approaches. For example, the way I communicated in the workplace environment was different than the way we communicated with various people outside the workplace.
Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
For the period I was on placement, I observed that certain tasks can be accomplished while working individually while others required people to work as a team. I also observed people in the workplace had different cultural backgrounds and that there was constant interaction with people from other disciplines. As a team member I acted as a trustful member, respect others, and tolerate the views of others. I also worked for consensus, shared openly with others, owned my problems instead of blaming others, and became a committed team member. To be a good team leader, I learned that one has to treat all members fairly, encourage team members, set clear goals, provides timely feedback, and also motivate team members (Northouse, 2013).
Understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development
One of the core ideas employed when providing services in where I was placed is sustainability. As a result sustainability was integrated in all designs. For example, when providing clients with solution, we had to consider economic, environmental, and social implications. For example, when designing an irrigation system, the idea is to come up with a system that was energy efficient, little environmental impact, and a system which does not interfere with the lives of the people in the community. To achieve this, some of the actions included carrying out environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment, and economic feasibility. When selecting machines and equipment, priority was given to those which had minimum environmental impact.
Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them
In the workplace, I observed that professionalism was held with high regard. Every task had to be handled in a professional manner. There was also codes of ethics applicable to all the people in the workplace and there were ethical codes which applied to different disciplines. For engineers, there was engineers’ code of ethics. I familiarized myself with the codes and commit myself to observe them during the placement period and thereafter. I will continue applying engineers’ code of ethics in my future career. Besides company ethics and engineers’ code of ethics, I also found out that there is an opportunity to apply other ethical concepts such as Kantianism, utilitarianism, and value ethics.
Expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and capacity to do so
I observed that yesterday’s solutions are different from solutions needed today. Solutions required in future are also likely to be different. This was evident from the activities we were engaged with. After doing audits on some projects, the recommendation could be to modernize part or all of the system (Cardno, 2014). At times, clients required replacements of obsolete technologies with new technologies. One of the projects was the replacement of an irrigation technology employed in 1880s with the 21st century technology (Utility Magazine, 2015). This suggest learning should not stop. Technologies are dynamic. There is competition to offer the best possible solutions. This therefore suggest one should not stop learning. In addition, no everything can be learned in school. I will be continuously updating myself with new knowledge.
What engineering attribute do you most need to enhance
After the placement, I noted that engineers were involved in a lot of presentations. The presentations involved projects and include items like project details, project progress, and designs. The audience could comprise technical and non-technical people. When making presentations, I realized that engineers tried their best to employ a language most audience could understand. This is an area I find I should enhance. I should learn and practice more on how to make effective presentations. I should also enhance my language skills so that when I communicate with people who might have difficulties understanding technical terms, I should be in a position to use simpler language. In this case, I need to learn more about power point presentations, making posters, and use of other software.
How will you enhance this attribute in the near future?
References
Cardno. (2014). Audit of Irrigation Modernisation Water Recovery 2012/13 Irrigation Season. [Online]. Available at: http://www.melbournewater.com.au/whatwedo/supply-water/Documents/Appendix%20D_Audit-of-Water-Recovery-2012-13-Final-report-v1.1.pdf [accessed 10 April 2016]
Peter, G. Northouse. (2013). Leadership: theory and practice. London: SAGE Publications.
Utility Magazine. (2015). Making a connection:
modernizing the Goulburn-Murray irrigation network. [Online]. Available at: http://www.utilitymagazine.com.au/making-a-connection-%E2%80%A8modernising-the-goulburn-murray-irrigation-network/ [Accessed 10 April 2016]
