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Expert Demonstrates Engineer Versatility at SUNY Canton
ENGINEERS CAN DO ANYTHING - Pictured are (from left) Arthur G. Hurlbut, Dean of the SUNY Canton Canino School of Engineering Technology; Celeste Bain, Director of the Engineering Education Service Center in Eugene Ore.; and Erwin A. Selleck, SUNY Canton Physical Science Professor.
Willy
Wonka, Roald Dahl's legendary fictitious tasty treat technician, was a chemical
engineer, according to the Director of the Engineering Education Service Center
and thrill-seeking author Celeste Bain.
"There is really something for everyone in engineering," said Bain, during her recent presentation, "Engineers Can Do Anything!" at SUNY Canton.
When Bain was a child, she became interested in designing roller coasters for Disney, a career called Imagineering. She started college with an associate degree program in Mechanical Engineering, and after working at a highly-stressful and highly-lucrative job in Silicon Valley, she decided to get a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Today, she is the author of several books, some of which reference her childhood passion of roller coaster engineering.
She noted some students are intimidated by the prospect of studying mathematics when considering a degree in engineering. She did say math was important, but that it was only one facet of a technical career. "What you really need are technical skills, creativity, passion, energy, and communication skills," Bain said.
She also mentioned Georgena Terry, Owner and CEO of Terry Bicycles, who designed her female-fit bicycles after painful rides on men"s style bicycles. After only a few years of making custom bikes, Terry bikes have become highly sought after by women riders. "Terry Bicycles is now a multi-million dollar company," Bain said. "A lot of engineering is humanistic. It is about making life better."
A number of different personal interests can fit into the field of engineering. "Do you think Callaway Golf is going to hire an engineer who doesn"t play golf to design a club for Tiger Woods?" Bain said.
Bain left the students with words of wisdom to consider while pursuing an engineering career: Eliminate distractions, keep your focus, and get involved in extracurricular activities.
October 17, 2005
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