Introduction to Engineering: From Theory to Practice
So I chose to study engineering because, in general, I like to work. Going in, I knew there were projects and there were project-based ideas, like courses where you’d have to do projects, but I never thought I’d be working on something as complex as a reflow oven. So it’s a challenge and it’s a fun challenge though. One thing that really stood out to me is Introduction to Mechanical Design.
Real-World Experience: Building a Foundation in Engineering
Focused hipster teen girl school college student pink hair wear headphones write notes watching webinar online video conference calling on laptop computer sit on floor working learning online at home.
We have a lot of experience in this. One of our latest projects is the construction of a solar water heater. It is very practical. We work in teams and have to design from the floor up, create our bill of materials, purchase our materials, assemble them, test them, refine our design and then submit a final design.
That’s actually one of the good things about engineering in Hanover is that you can learn what to do. And a lot of our work is very independent, more focused on self-study, which helps foster that level of self-learning and independence that you’re expected to have in the real workforce.
Having the hands-on experience really teaches you that there really is a big difference between what you learn in the classroom with theory and what is actually applied in the engineering world.
Bridging theory and practice: Industry
I worked in industry for 30 years before coming to Hanover College My fellow electrical engineer, im Brooks worked in industry for 30 years before coming to Hanover College. Not only did we work as engineers, but then we managed engineers.
This meant we also hired engineers so we knew what industry was looking for. To a new engineer, you can go to a company and say well, look, I know how to do this in the field, so let me show you how I can get there. You know, so it’s very helpful to even get a job.
Navigating the World of Engineering: From Internship to Career
Engineer Working on Desktop Computer, Screen Showing CAD Software with Engine 3D Model, Her Male Project Manager Explains Job Specifics. Industrial Design Engineering Facility Office
One of the reasons Hanover started this program was that the local industry was very interested in having more engineers and they said they would offer internships to our students. And then outside of our area, our students are also very interested.
so I’m sitting right in front of a machine. One of our students did an internship just before his senior year, and as soon as he finished it, he was offered a permanent position. And so when he graduated from here, he went to work as a test engineer for Professor Brooks, who has a bunch of industry experience, he was telling me about a scientist and he was telling me about what they were doing here and a problem they were having, and he suggested that examine as part of my senior thesis.
So, using Professor Brooks, I connected with them and we had a great conversation, and that’s how we did it. Basically, what they’re trying to do here is get the steam to come through and interact with the catalyst, and then that catalyst breaks down the steam into hydrogen and oxygen. Part of my thesis is trying to understand why subjecting this entire process to a magnetic field makes it more efficient and also more efficient.
One of the advantages of being part of a small liberal arts college is that you have very small class sizes and very good interaction with your professors, so opportunities like this present themselves to you. You’ll have that one-on-one interaction with a professor, and they all want to succeed. Going with the whole liberal arts aspect, you can take a lot of different classes, and then some classes will really give you insight into certain things that you can apply.
The value of the liberal arts in engineering education
Group of young people in technical vocational training with teacher
A wise engineer. You don’t have to be just an engineer here. You can follow your passions in sports or music and art, and also be an engineering student here because we have the flexibility to change when you take an exam or when you have to do a lab. So it’s just little things like that for a liberal arts major that you can really benefit from in an engineering program.
We know what is important outside of engineering and the most important attribute that will dictate your success as an engineer. It is written and spoken communication. This is what will propel you in your career.
And what liberal arts colleges excel at is helping you hone those communication skills. That, to me, is as big a differentiator as anything you can get. You will find yourself coming to Hanover College.