Building Blocks of an Engineering Career

Author: Guest Author; Published: Sep 2, 2010; Category: Classroom presentations, Education outreach, Engineering Careers, Math, Science; Tags: Careers, Children, Education, Engineering, Engineering Careers, Math, Parent, STEM, Student, Teacher, Volunteer; Comments: Be the first

Guest Author – Marva Morrow, Energy Education Consultant

What is your response when a child or student says “I like to build…” or “I want to build (blank) when I grow up”? Would your first reaction be to tell the child about engineering? The fact is, many people don’t connect engineering to these kinds of teachable moments. It’s a lost opportunity to introduce even small children to a rewarding career.

Here’s a way you can respond: Engineers are trail blazers! They do exciting things like design and create buildings, bridges, and low carbon cities. Engineers are people who solve problems and make things work.                              

There are over 200 types of engineering! This has lead to some confusion among students. Just like sports can be grouped into areas like football, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, etc., the different types of engineering can be grouped into specializations: chemical, civil, electrical, engineering management, engineering sciences, geotechnical, mechanical, petroleum, and many others.

Engineers use innovation and creative ideas. Then they apply the principals of science and math to develop solutions to problems. Engineers make and maintain things with a practical purpose. Many engineers develop new products. During the process, they consider several factors. For example, in developing an industrial robot, engineers specify the functional requirements precisely; design and test the robot’s components; integrate the components to produce the final design; and evaluate the design’s overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This process applies to the development of many different products, such as chemicals, computers, power plants, helicopters, and toys.

Become an engineer and love your work, live your life, be creative, work with great people, solve problems, design things that matter, never be bored, make a big salary, enjoy job flexibility, travel, make a difference and change the world!

Learn more about engineering careers!

SPE Sabah Section Reaches 112 Students

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Aug 16, 2010; Category: Classroom presentations, Education outreach, Energy, Energy Education, Engineering Careers, SPE members, Volunteering; Tags: Children, Education, Energy, Energy4me, Engineering, Engineering Careers, natural gas, oil, Petroleum, School, SPE, Speaker, Student, Teacher, Volunteer; Comments: Be the first

Sabah Section plants “tree of hope” on the school compound to conclude program

A big thank you to the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Sabah Section for holding their first Energy4me educational outreach event in July. A group of 15 young professionals visited 112 pupils and 17 teachers at SK Kabajang in Beufort, Sabah. This was the first destination chosen as part of the Sabah Section’s strategic plan for educational outreach as part of their Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

The program made children aware of the petroleum industry and its opportunities for careers. Lots of laughter got the program off to a great start during a fun, ice-breaking activity. A presentation on petroleum history and its benefits to the nation followed along with interactive activities. The event concluded with planting a “tree of hope” on the school compound.

The school children expressed excitement throughout the program and had a wonderful learning experience. They were especially excited to receive goodies and gifts as a token to remember the day, and to see a gift presented to their headmaster.

Energy4me encourages young industry leaders to get involved by giving classroom presentations or holding educational outreach programs in their area. Sharing educational and career possibilities with younger students can have a huge impact. Children often relate well to young professionals who are closer to their own age. Giving presentations not only inspires children, it also gives young professionals the opportunity to polish their leadership and public speaking skills.

Share your contributions and outreach efforts in your community that you are already making with Energy4me and inspire others to join in on the fun!

Thank you to the SPE Sabah Section for sharing!

San Joaquin eWeek is a Success

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Mar 18, 2010; Category: SPE members, Volunteering; Tags: Energy4me, Engineering Careers, eWeek, SPE, Student; Comments: Be the first

Mickey Bowen (Edwards AFB) makes a presentation.

Congratulations are in order for the San Joaquin Valley (California) section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers! The section, along with California State University Bakersfield and the local school district’s school-to-career program, recently sponsored its 10th Annual Engineers Day event, attended by nearly 500 upper-level students and their teachers! The event was modeled on professional conferences, with technical speakers, exhibits and tours. Kudos to Engineers Day moderators (and petroleum engineers) John Kaiser and Ashley Jorishie!

New Faces of Engineering

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Mar 12, 2010; Category: Engineering Careers; Tags: Careers, Engineering, Engineering Careers, eWeek, SPE; Comments: One Comment

Young engineers are poised to make a huge impact on today’s world—they’re enthusiastic, dedicated and full of fresh ideas for solving issues on a global scale. The National Engineers Week Foundation recently honored 13 of these young professionals as the “New Faces of Engineering 2010”—engineers who are doing exciting work in the field that just might make an impact on your everyday life in the future! Read all about these emerging pros (including 26-year-old Abhishek Anchliya, nominated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers for his work with young professionals and students!.