What Makes a Good Engineering Project?

Your teacher may put some restrictions on projects. Have you met your teacher's requirements?
Yes, I've been asking my teacher about the requirements along this course.


Is the topic interesting enough to read about and work on for the next couple months?
Yes, because the topic is about technology and i like it.


Can you find at least three sources of written information on the subject?
Yes, I have used many sources of information like webpages, books and orientation of specialists on the subject.


Can you think of a way to measure whether your solution is better than what already exists? It is always best if you can measure your improvement numerically: cheaper in dollars, faster in time, etc.
Yes, because with this project the company will save more paper sheets and for this reason there won't be documents lost. You can measure it by the paper usage before and after the project.

Can you design a solution that is safe to build, use, store, and dispose of?
Yes, because now all is managed using a program which will create digital documents instead using printed sheets.

Do you have all the materials and equipment you need for your solution, or will you be able to obtain them quickly and at a very low cost?
Yes, the company has the possibility to pay the cost of the project and the equipment required for the solution.


Do you have enough time to complete your design and make it before the due date? Allow time for doing additional research and fixing problems. It is very rare for everything to work correctly the first time.
Yes, I do. This project can be completed before due date.


If you are planning to enter a science fair outside of your school:
Does your project meet all the rules and requirements for the science fair? Have you checked to see if your science fair project will require approval from the fair before you begin construction?
Maybe, but actually I don't have interest in participate in any science fair or something similar.

Activity # 2 Before the interview: the cover letter

July 01,2014

Mr. Ricardo Ochoa

Human Resources Manager

CareFusion

Cerrada Via de la Produccion #85

Dear Mr. Ochoa:

I'm about to end my studies in  University and I will obtain a Degree Engineering specialized in Tecnology Information.

As a professional, I want to concentrate my career in the areas regarding Technology  and be part of a global company that is an industrial leader and contribute to a growing organization as yours.

Therefore, I would like to offer you my professional services to assist in any administrative or engineer position that could be available in your company.

I'm a self-motivated, willing to learn and work candidate. I appreciate your time and look forward to speaking with you, if you should decide to offer an interview, enclosed you will find my resume for your consideration.

Best regards!

Elizabeth Cabrera

Activity #1 The basics

Part I

What is an internship? 
Any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession.

What is the difference between and an apprenticeship and an internship? 
The main difference between an apprenticeship and an internship is that internships are more exploratory. You're not bound to work for your employer after the internship is over (although many interns do receive job offers). If you start early enough to do a few internships throughout college, you can use the first ones to get a feel for what career you'd like to pursue and the later ones to build your experience.

What are some characteristics of internships in the US? 
In the U.S., federal law mandates that unpaid interns must not benefit the company economically or be used to displace the work done by paid employees. Some states have their own regulations regarding interns. For example, in California, unpaid interns must receive college credit for their work.

According to Sabitano, how has the role of the intern changed? 
 The employer mindset has gone from viewing the internship as a form of corporate community service to a method for accessing free labor. In a thriving economy, employers want to invest in the future workforce by providing opportunities for young emerging professionals to learn about their industry and professions. However, when times get tough, employers want to simply stay alive long enough to get through the recession.


Part II. 

How will you manage your responsibilities at school, home and work?

First of all I need to have in mind that one thing is not more important than the other one. School, work and home have the same importance in my life and they all require my time and dedication. I believe all I need to do is administrate my time in the best way possible. At first is a little hard because one you have to study and work at the same time the activities tend to increase, but it is possible to manage all things.

What challenges will you face during your internship?

I will probably see things that I didn’t learn in school, I believe there will be things I really don’t know how to do them and those kinds of things stress me out. It’s hard when they ask you to do something and you have no one to ask for help, but I believe it is part of the professional growth.

How will you prepare to overcome those challenges?

I believe that the internet is a good tool to use when you don’t know how to do something since it has information regarding a lot of subjects. It’s all about the time you spend studying because in the university you only see the basis of things. Being a great engineer depends only in me, my effort and ambition to be better each day. 

What’s inside your engineer’s notebook?

My engineer’s notebook consists of important notes and reminders captured during classes, as well as my homeworks, my notebook helps me keep track of the different projects and issues that I’ve worked on.


How and when did you know you wanted to become an engineer?

Being an engineer was never in mind, I actually apply to do the exam for another career but at the end I decide it to be in the engineer department. Sincerely during the time I was in school, I discover that I wanted to be a great engineer and I like the area of technologies, now I am geek.


What's the most exciting project you've ever worked on?

So far I have not worked in a great project, nothing relevant, is starting my experience as an engineer but  I hope soon to participate in an important, interesting project, something that allows me to apply and enhance my knowledge.


What do you think you'd be doing if you hadn't become an engineer?

Probably would study audiovisual media would have knowledge in photography, short films, I was passionate about the idea of ​​learning all these subjects and maybe still is not late.

What's your favorite hobby or activity when you're not working or studying?

Go to the movies or watch movies on my computer, I also like playing video games, and spending time with the people I love, that's my favorite activity.

Was there a book or a movie that piqued your interest in science or engineering?

Not really woke my interest when acquired programming knowledge and it was through my teachers. 

Who are your heores, either within the engineering profession or in the rest of your life?

I have known important people who get my admiration but my parents will always be my heroes in every aspect of my life. 

What's the most meaningful or rewarding aspect of being connected to engineering?

Technology changes and I like the change, plus I love programming.