Free Whole Life Concept Paper Part 2 Essay Sample
In the course of the semester, I have acquired knowledge on the various engineering disciplines and sub-disciplines, and tools and techniques of the engineering profession. Formulating a career plan requires a framework detailing how the new knowledge, skills and abilities will be applied after graduating in order to impact the world positively. This implies that it is vital to identify the factors that contribute to a successful career based on passion. This paper focuses on the reflection of the innermost circles of the concentric model: knowledge and application.
Summary of My Passion
My passion involves solving problems in mathematics, physics and real life situations. This is because of the interests I have in fixing things, putting them apart and later rebuilding them in order to understand how they work. My passion is centered towards things that move using mechanical processes involving engines, gears, machines, bolts and other aspects of motion. My passion is driven by the fascination of being the world’s best and innovative mechanical engineer. My passion entails handling huge machineries that are used for industrial applications, especially in belt drive systems, engine systems and hydraulics. My ability to solve problems in mathematics and physics is an added advantage to pursue a career that is along the lines of my passion.
Summary of How I Wish to Use My Passion to Impact the World Positively
Mechanical engineering is evident in almost every object that has moving parts; this presents an opportunity to impact the world positively using my passion. My passion will play a significant role in facilitating crucial innovations and inventions that are required for the future. Mechanical engineering products are a vital part of the daily lives of people. For instance trains, cars and factories that produce essential commodities for human life. Therefore, I will use my passion to address the significant challenges that are currently facing humanity, and are connected to industrial applications such as energy and environment conservation. This will be achieved through facilitating research and development of energy efficient systems and industrial processes that are environmentally friendly. This is consistent with the principles of rational engineering design, which has the primary objective of global sustainability through the development of energy cost-effective and energy-efficient systems. This will result in significant contributions to the economy, environment and health of communities at large.
Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Needed For Success in the Jobs
Mechanical engineers are mostly involved in research, designing and development of machines and equipment that have far-reaching impacts on our daily lives. The fundamental requirement for success in the mechanical engineering jobs is effective designing skills; this is because engineers are constantly involved in the design of items, such as engines, automobiles and numerous consumer products. A successful mechanical engineer needs to be innovative and detailed. Therefore, technical knowledge in computer design and physics is required to facilitate the development of equipments and machines that have high reliability and efficiency.
Strong problem-solving, observational and analytical skills are needed to guarantee success in mechanical engineering jobs. This is because problem-solving skills are needed to facilitate the invention and testing of new systems. Additionally, they are helpful in ensuring effective diagnosis of mechanical machines and equipments. This poses the need to have a strong educational background in physics and mathematics, which is essential in statistical computations to evaluate the most efficient and effective ways of assembling designs.
Computer proficiency is a vital technical skill needed for a successful mechanical engineer. Computer proficiency helps in designing new machines and conducting simulations on prototypes to determine their functionality. Project planning skills are also an essential requirement for successful mechanical engineers because mechanical engineering projects are undertaken over long durations, and require effective project planning and management skills to be successful.
Technical skills needed for a mechanical engineering professional vary according to the area of specialty. However, there is fundamental technical knowledge applicable to any aspect of mechanical engineering, which includes assembling skills, troubleshooting of machines and equipments, manipulation of hand and power tools and a detailed knowledge regarding properties of materials, and ergonometric design to ensure that they build machines that are safe and efficient. The skills needed include mechanics of solid materials, automotive physics and motion physics. A college degree in mechanical engineering is needed for entry-level jobs, although most jobs require a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. The technical abilities needed include the application of science and mathematics in engineering solutions, ability to design and test experiments, analyze and interpret data.
Non-Technical Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Needed For Success in the Mechanical Engineering Job
Trial and error experiments are a vital element of mechanical engineering, implying that creativity and perseverance is needed when developing prototypes. Mechanical engineers must have personality traits that demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively. Mechanical engineering research and development cannot be undertaken effectively alone, rather, they require extensive brainstorming and analytical processes to be effective. This implies that the ability to work collaboratively is a core ingredient for a successful mechanical engineer. In addition, mechanical engineers must demonstrate strong communication skills since they are needed to undertake their work in teams. Strong communication skills involve flexibility, strong listening skills and hands-on understanding.
Leadership and conflict resolution skills are also needed to be a successful mechanical engineer. This is required to ensure that engineering projects are executed as planned, and eliminate potential bottlenecks that may hinder the success of the engineering projects. The ability to network is also a key requirement for a successful mechanical engineer because it facilitates knowledge exchange with engineers from other disciplines; this is helpful in increasing the proficiency of a mechanical engineer. Networking increases the ability of a mechanical engineer to engage in life-long learning.
Knowledge of the current issues is also needed in order to understand their impacts on the field of mechanical engineering, and how the discipline can be used to solve the issues that are currently facing humanity. For example, mechanical engineering can be used to address issues involving environmental sustainability and energy consumption.
The Best-Fit Academic Program of Turning My Passion into a Career
A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is the best-fit academic program. This is because it will facilitate the realization of my vision through gaining various transferable skills, increase my ability to solve problems using logic and innovative methods. Degrees in mechanical engineering usually focus on projects that have a direct association with the industry and provide avenues for practical experience using placements. These are essential in laying the foundation for turning my passion into a successful career that will impact the world positively. The academic program is mostly laboratory-oriented, which implies that the course provides an opportunity to engage in practical research projects that can turn out to be path-breaking in solving contemporary issues. On the whole, a bachelor’s course in mechanical engineering will equip me with transferrable skills, offer opportunities for practical research projects and internship placements. In addition, a mechanical engineering degree can open opportunities in other areas. During the course of career development, the technical knowledge will be needed during the early years while project management will be required during middle years. Communication and teamwork skills are essential during the entire course of career development.
Reflection on the Whole Life Concept Model
The Whole Life Concept model indicates the important steps that are needed to guarantee a successful career from passion. Mechanical engineers can use the Whole Life Concept model to assess their passions, and how they can use their passion to impact the world positively. In addition, the model can be used to determine the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in a given career. The significance of the Whole Life Concept model at this stage of my professional career is because it provides an understanding of how knowledge can be used to achieve a successful career, while at the same time impacting the world positively.
How This Assignment Has Influenced My Choice of Major
This assignment has influenced the choice of mechanical engineering major because it has offered a framework through which a career can be developed from passion. Career choice is usually difficult without background information. Using my passion as a basis, I have been able to choose mechanical engineering as a major. My commitment towards career success has increased because of the reflection on the Whole Life Concept Model. I have not decided to change to a non-College of Engineering major because I believe that I have sufficient background information to kick-start and develop my career to greater heights.
Conclusion
My passion involves solving problems in math, physics and real life situations, which is driven by the fascination of being the world’s best mechanical engineer. My passion will impact the world positively through rational engineering design that will be helpful in solving issues in contemporary society, such as environment conservation and energy. The technical knowledge skills and abilities required to succeed in mechanical engineering jobs include computer proficiency, as well as strong problem-solving, observational and analytical skills. The skills needed include mechanics of solid materials, automotive physics and motion physics. The non-technical skills needed include effective communication skills, ability to work in a team, leadership and management skills. On the whole, the Whole Life Concept has helped me in the choice of a major.