Stiglets 1

Carson Stiglets

Mrs. McClendon

Prosper Career Independent Studies

1/30/2024

Evidence of Learning #4

Engineering presents a challenging career path that continually challenges professionals

to adapt to developing global dynamics. Engineers invest over two decades in academic settings

to earn their diplomas, which are the gateway to the workforce. While many college graduates

anticipate immediate employment in their dream position, the problem lies within our education

system, where students need real-world work exposure. Contained within classroom walls, they

need to prepare for the demands of the professional world, resulting in rejections during job

interviews due to a lack of practical experience.

Dr. Athan proposes a creative solution to this difficulty through an engineering program

inspired by the concept of a wormhole, shortening the traditional timeline. Employing a

top-down teaching approach, this program imparts career-oriented knowledge to aspiring

engineers from a young age. Emphasizing the importance of acquiring practical experience

before pursuing high-profile positions, Dr. Athan's teachings underscore the significance of

starting your career journey early on.

Reflecting on insights from the Ted Talk, I've come to appreciate the importance of

self-promotion and proactive engagement in professional environments. While academic pursuits

are priceless, the true nature of learning unfolds through experience. As restated by engineers,

the foundational knowledge acquired in classrooms decreases in importance compared to the

 Stiglets 2

experiential learning gained during initial employment. You can only take classroom simulations

so far.

Further supporting this concept, the anecdote from "Chop Wood Carry Water" explains

the invaluable nature of experience. The tale of the inexperienced boy attempting to fix a bow,

determined by the effortless ability of the veteran hunter, underscores the irreplaceable value of

hands-on knowledge. While theoretical understanding is essential, its true worth is realized only

through practical application. The concept of work exposure also kept getting brought up in my

interviews. Everyone I talked to told me they learned everything they needed to know within the

first two years of working. You cannot replicate work experience in a classroom setting, so they

encouraged me to find engineering experience in any way possible.

After gaining these insights, I am committed to proactively seeking opportunities to

refine my skills and expand my professional horizons. I am prepared to start my career ahead,

even if it entails creating at a lesser-known company. Each experience, no matter how small,

promises to impart invaluable lessons that will shape my future efforts as an engineer. Everyone

states somewhere, and where I start will not be where I end up, but no matter what, I will always

have to learn new skills everywhere I go. Sound engineers use every experience to their

advantage to become the best possible engineer they can be.

In conclusion, I am ready to be my advocate, recognizing the vital role of practical

experience in honing my skills and capabilities. I know no one will write my journey for me, but

it is my job to put myself in the best possible situations. Continuing my learning and growth, I

am poised to chart a course toward excellence in engineering, leveraging every opportunity to

refine my craft and emerge as the best version of myself.

 Stiglets 3

Work Cited

Athan, Dr. “Re-Engineering Engineering Education: Stephan Athan at TEDxUF.” YouTube, 1

May 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Pjumo707Q. Accessed 30 January

2024.

Medcalf, Joshua. “Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming

Great - PDFDrive.com.” Sports Websites | Sport Website | Sport League Software,

http://files.leagueathletics.com/Images/Club/5708/Attachments/Chop_Wood_Carry_Wate

r__How_to_Fall_in_Love_with_the_Process_of_Becoming_Great__PDFDrivecom_.pdf.

Accessed 30 January 2024.