Samuel Florman, in The Civilized Engineer, examines some of the stereotypes behind careers and what influences people to make the decisions they do. As a young man in high school he had a few academic interests that pointed him in a certain direction or so he thought. He recognized an innate intelligence he had and a love for math and science. He encompassed that with a fascination for and an allure of sorts for engineering and the perception he had in his mind. In a time when engineering was not really quite understood as a career, he pursued his interest in college where he found an affinity for the courses in his major which reinforced his belief that engineering was his calling. In college, during WW II he joined the navy reserves and was sent to the Pacific at the end of the war as a civil engineer (7, 8). He had his first hands-on experience in his field with the Seabees building landing strips, roads and water systems. During his island isolation, he began to delve into literature, reading extensively at night (9). This experience was illuminating in helping him recognize there was more to the world than measurements and construction. Returning home and already having finished his under degree he took a major leap outside his comfort zone. Inspired by his new admiration for reading he enrolled in Columbia to pursue a master’s degree in English literature (11). Not only did he immerse himself in the symbolism of literature but for his thesis he challenged himself and analyzed the writings of an author he was not familiar with. He allowed himself to step outside and recognize the value of different ways in which to examine life. He started as a builder and grew into a reader, writer of some worth, letting his mind expand. After this breath of fresh air he recognized it was time to get to his passion, and took his first job in the engineering field, he found he was home (15). All the other experiences helped him to grow and respect other disciplines and fields, but he was at home, building, measuring, constructing. Quite likely he would have been as secure in his decision without stepping outside his calling, but he challenged himself along the way and stepped away from his comfort zone, and developed a broader view and was more perceptive to what the world offered.
My career path is to delve into education. I have a desire to influence others, help them to appreciate their own strengths. The core of this calling is history because it is more than dates and names, it is the compilation of ideas and the forming of societies and how they interact. Accompanying my interest in history is a desire to study some type of law. Law provides the structure for our society, the rules by which we grow. In order to relax I read, mostly historically centered books, such as those written by James Michener, though I discovered delving into science fiction to provide a sense of escape. I have found working out and running to afford a physical diversion that helps to relax my mind while positively enhancing my body. This goes hand in hand with the message provided by Florman to follow one’s heart while allowing yourself the freedom to step outside and grow. It is imperative to challenge yourself, almost testing whether your calling is your true passion.
References
Florman, Samuel C. The Civilized Engineer. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1987. Pp 1-17. Print.
