Pre-Reflection Essay
In this week’s assignment, I have decided to assume the role of a project coordinator for three weeks in the school’s Department of Civil Engineering. After discussing with the project manager, I have realized that working as a coordinator will help me to put to practice the skills I have acquired in class in this course. The project coordinator plays a crucial role in ensuring that the project runs smoothly without unnecessary delays or inconveniences. The projector coordinator converts the plan into paper into an actual structure. The teams involved in the implementation phase report to the coordinator in charge. The project manager provides an overview of the process to the coordinator and the project manager then guides the team in transforming ideas into something tangible.
The Principle of Chemical Engineering Design course requires a student to understand how to design projects and implement them in the real world. With the help of civil engineers in our engineering school and other project coordinators, I will not only comprehend but also attain the skills and competencies required of one to become a successful designer. Major projects begin from a simple design. As an engineering designer, I have to know the concept behind converting paper designs into real projects. My instructor is determined to ensure that I acquire the knowledge and apply it in the real world. Thereby, participating in the implementation of one of the school projects will provide him with an opportunity to assess my skills and abilities to enable him establish whether or not his teaching methods are effective.
I know that I will be assigned some tasks that are not part of my profession in the project, but some of my greatest strengths include the ability and the willingness to learn new things. I believe that learning is a continuous process full of new adventures which provide us with vast experiences in life. Additionally, I have an ability to work under pressure and even in tough environments to meet deadlines. I understand that project designing, planning, and implementing projects demand certain activities to be conducted. People working on a project are expected to observe specific schedules (Dieter and Schmidt 39). However, one of my weaknesses is failing to extend working hours to learn more and prepare for the next day (Sinnott and Towler 20). Project sites have to be closed and opened at specific times, so I have to adjust my schedule to fit these timelines.
I am confident that after spending some time with other engineers and workers I will understand the engineering field better. My communication and interpersonal skills will improve since project coordinators have to be effective speakers. Again, my teamwork experience will improve because projects cannot be completed successfully without working collaboration with all stakeholders. Working with different people will also expose me to diverse work settings where employees have to understand the work culture as well as respect their workers’ opinions. Furthermore, I will have a chance to improve my leadership and management skills and since coordinating projects involves managing and leading employees. Finally, the experience gained from the project will be a test of my abilities as an aspiring engineering designer and will provide a foundation for building a successful career in future.
Post-Reflection Essay
Following my experience as a project coordinator in the engineering department, I now understand the different stages and challenges that project leaders experience when designing, planning, and implementing certain stages. Moreover, the three months spent during that particular learning process have provided the audience with an atmosphere to comprehend the diverse roles engineers play in providing more insights into the various roles I can perform as an engineering designer. I had a chance to employ the skills acquired from class in ensuring that I carefully followed instructions and expand my knowledge (Dieter and Schmidt 13). Undeniably, it is unrealistic to claim to be professional if I do not have any worthy experience in the real world. Ultimately, the best way to achieve my learning goals is to practice my skills and knowledge to become successful in my career.
From experience, I have realized that I learn effectively through work experience and observing what others do. That is vital since in engineering things often change with advances in technology and methods of executing projects. Therefore, it helps to know what peers are doing and what is happening in the sector. I always thought that problem solving only requires an individual’s skills and knowledge, but after interacting with other engineers, I understand that a professional should have the ability to explore different options. I wish that before this assignment I had known that my current knowledge can be adapted to a new comprehension and innovation. During the first week, I was assigned to jobs that required me to give recommendations and opinions on an already working project. The test required a critical thinking approach and evaluation of the knowledge one has and how it can be used to enhance an almost perfect process.
Specifically, these encounters also allowed me to effectively apply my strengths by handling challenging tasks and being able to complete them on time with minimal supervision. Despite experiencing difficulties in adapting to the site opening and closing deadlines, I created extra time to interact with the more experienced personnel in the workplace after work. Working on different assignments permitted me to apply the skills and knowledge I acquired in the different engineering courses in our department, such as communication, finance, and project management. Proficient engineers have to figure out the importance of communication and interpersonal skills, efficient budget management, and ensuring that projects are completed on time. The work provided the opportunity to apply my theoretical knowledge to the real world s.
The overall work experience was great for my future working encounters since my communication skills, confidence, leadership skills, and teamwork skills significantly developed. My supervisors always complimented my efforts and urged me to continue with the hard work and build a successful career. Not only did I have the chance to enhance my fundamental skills, but I also had the ‘soft’ ones, such as the willingness to learn, and self-motivation, which are an integral part of developing my CV. Moreover, my passion for pursuing an engineering course was significantly influenced by this work since it provided me with a foundation to evaluate my capabilities towards establishing a great profession. However, I consider 12 weeks as a short time for engineering students who must have vast experience to remain competitive in their careers. The engineering department should consider doubling the duration period to expose the students to the practical world rather than emphasize theoretical knowledge. I am impressed by my achievements, and I urge the university to maintain this trend to equip students with the essential experience needed in the job market.
Works Cited
Dieter, George E., and Linda Schmidt. Engineering Design. McGraw-Hill, 2013.
Sinnott, Ray, and Gavin Towler. Chemical Engineering Design. Elsevier Science, 2014.
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