The Secret Life of Engineers

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Linda Hargrove

UNC Charlotte Civil Engineering student Timothy Dinsmore with guitarI’m an engineer.

I love to tinker and write technical reports like the best of my ilk. But I also have a secret life. I write novels.

 

When I was an engineering student, back before Microsoft existed (that’s right, before you were probably born), I used to think my novel writing was strange. Yeah I put in my time in the lab, wrangling greasy diesel engines back to life but I had interests in poetry and English literature and even fine art. Unlike my classmates my engineering vocabulary of friction coefficients and enthalpy was augmented with words like pentameter, intaglio, and gouache.

Over time, I realized that being multifaceted in this way was super cool. I found out it was good for my mental health and it made me a better engineering student.

 

I can hear your excuses from here. Hobbies are expensive. Hobbies are hard. Hobbies are boring. Hobbies take time. My response: Cue the violins. The worst of all excuses for not pursuing a hobby: I’m not talented that way. That’s a cop out and reveals the crippling fixation that the do-it-quick developed world has with perfection. Hobbies aren’t made for perfecting; they are made for developing … slowly … over time.

 

I’ve noticed that my secret life feeds my introversion. Yes, I’m an introvert. No surprise there. But hobbies are not only for introverts. Extroverts benefit from having a fulfilling secret life as well. Mechanical engineer, PBS show host, inventor, and human beat box Nate Ball is one example of that. Introversion is not just for introverts.

 

The picture above shows UNC Charlotte civil engineering student, Timothy Dinsmore, with his guitar. Timothy’s secret life, playing the classical guitar, led him to a double major in music performance. Read more about him and hear him play. His secret life gives him structure and harmony.

 

Okay, I know hobbies take time away from working and studying but that’s the point. The brain needs, yes even craves, time away from our beloved analytical left-brained activity. As we drive ourselves to technological achievement, we’ve taught ourselves to quiet that still small voice that cries out for satisfying, creative diversion.

 

For a little fun reading about the secret lives of other engineers, visit PBS Nova.

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Writing For Freshmen Engineering Students

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Linda Hargrove

DEATH TO BAD ENGINEERING WRITING

As a freshman engineering instructor I get to read a lot of writing assignments. In fact, in my intro to engineering class, we have more writing assignments than math assignments. Remember engineers write a lot. Bad writing not only reflects poorly on you as a person but could cost you a great job opportunity.

 

First-year engineering students are notorious for bad writing. Maybe it’s because no one ever taught them how to write well in high school. Or maybe it’s because no one stressed the importance of good writing for engineering. Whatever the case, this post offers a few steps for all struggling engineering students who hate to write.

(Engineers like steps right?)

 

THE STEPS 

  • Step 1: Read and understand the assignment. Make sure you’re doing exactly what’s being asked of you.
  • Step 2: Outline your approach. Don’t ever start writing an assignment without outlining it first.
  • Step 3: Write your assignment. This is your first draft. Start far enough in advance that you have time to rewrite later.
  • Step 4: Take a break. Step away from your writing for a few hours or even a day.
  • Step 5: Revise what you wrote in Step 3. Consider your rough draft with fresh eyes.

 

MORE ON OUTLINING, REWRITING, AND OTHER GOOD BUT TEDIOUS HABITS

For some folks, the classic 1, 2, 3 outline structure works. For other people, a visual planning process called mindmapping is best. Explore both methods. I personally prefer mindmapping; it satisfies my needs for art and science in one place. LOVELY!

 

Never turn in your first draft. It’s your rough draft; and in most cases is probably pretty rough. While writing your rough draft feel free to totally disregard grammar and skip spellcheck. Write with abandon but don’t get so carried away that you forget the purpose of the assignment.

 

As you write, keep the reader in mind. This is called knowing your audience. Writing with your audience in mind helps you decide what to include and how to say what you truly need to say. The goal is clear communication not just writing some stuff because your teacher told you to.

 

Lastly remember there is hope for you, Freshman. Don’t give up on engineering because it involves more writing than you originally thought. And please stop telling yourself that you’re a bad writing. Over time, you become what you speak. So speak hope-filled inspiration. Speak things into your future that you do not see today.

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