Ask an Engineer

Ask an Engineer - The Changing Global Landscape

Submitted by Jam on October 10, 2011 - 3:51pm

Bit of a different flavour this week, I thought it would be interesting to get the opinions of a panel of engineers on a much larger question about our society. Obviously, none of the panellists are experts on sociology, geopolitics or economics, but it’s definitely interesting to gather different perspectives from around the world.

Jim Asks:

Is North America in decline or is the rest of the world just catching up?

Ask an Engineer - Are Business Classes Useful?

Submitted by Jam on August 30, 2011 - 4:46pm

Viktor Asks:

Will a year's worth of classes in economics/business do me any good later in my work as an engineer?

Jim - Cement Industry, Pennsylvania, USA

Ask an Engineer - How to start a Professional Network?

Submitted by Jam on July 19, 2011 - 5:16pm

Ali Asks:

Ask an Engineer - How Do You Cope with Stress?

Submitted by Jam on May 18, 2011 - 1:17pm

Dwight asks:
How do you cope with stress from work, that nearing deadline or endless todo lists? I know it's a vague question (and not really engineer related) and the answers will probably differ much from person to person but I'd like to see the different approaches everyone takes. I'm a software engineer and the work has been piling up lately and each evening at home after work I feel pretty much burned out, unable to do anything (useful).

Jim - Cement Industry, Pennsylvania, USA

Ask an Engineer - Engineering Personality Traits

Submitted by Jam on April 13, 2011 - 4:01pm

Fiona asks:

Hi, I'm a high school student who's been strongly considering engineering as a career path. I've heard for awhile now that there are certain personality characteristics that most engineers have. What would you consider these personality characteristics to be, for engineering in general and for your specific field of engineering? Thank you in advance!

Jim - Cement Industry, Pennsylvania, USA

Ask an Engineer: What's the Flavour of the Month for you?

Submitted by Jam on March 14, 2011 - 1:55am

This month’s question is actually from panel member Jim! His response, usually first, will be last this month for that reason :)

What's the "Flavour of the Month" in your organization? -- Jim

Corporate Slang Glossary:

“Flavour of the Month” (FOTM): Launched with great fanfare, management declares that everyone shall focus on this urgent new priority until… you don’t anymore!

Ask an Engineer: To Grad School or Not to Grad School?

Submitted by Jam on February 2, 2011 - 6:09pm

This month’s question is actually a combination of two different emails that I received about the same time. Figured it would make a good question to pose to the panel! The gist of the question is below:

L-l-l-link Roundup!

Submitted by Jam on January 28, 2011 - 5:30pm

WEEK TWO of stuff-that-I-saw-this-week-that-I-thought-was-interesting-from-the-persepective-of-someone-with-an-engineering-or-technical -background (to be henceforth abbreviated as STISTWTITWIFTPOSWANOTB).

(Just kidding)

(Sorry, I'm a bit hyper, just got back from an awesome dim-sum lunch. Gung Hay Fat Choy!)

Ask An Engineer - ROUNDUP

Submitted by Jam on January 18, 2011 - 3:40pm

All of us have taken a well-deserved holiday break, but the engineers are now working away at our **1 year anniversary** edition of Ask an Engineer! I thought I'd take a moment to review the questions we've answered so far so you can check out any gems you might have missed.

Help a Fizzer Out!

Submitted by Jam on October 29, 2010 - 8:22pm

It’s GUESTRAVAGANZA! This is a guest post by Sam Strasser. She’s a physicist, but engineers – he needs your help!

GUEST: My job at... NASA by Chris

Submitted by Jam on October 29, 2010 - 8:10pm

It’s GUESTRAVAGANZA! This is a guest post by Chris Upchurch

Last summer I interned at NASA Kennedy Space Center. I'm a computer engineer at UCF, but my placement was a little different... I was placed with NASA Engineering - Aeronautics Division 5 (NE-A5).

Ask an Engineer - Getting through it all

Submitted by Jam on October 29, 2010 - 8:01pm

Jonathan asks:
Q: Hi I’m a freshman engineering student wondering how many times you considered switching majors and/or tips on how to survive! Thanks in advance!

Jim - Cement Industry, Pennsylvania, USA

I considered lots of switches but only made one – from civil engineering to a related major.

GUEST: Things to Do in Your Cube by Cassandra

Submitted by Jam on October 29, 2010 - 7:47pm

It’s GUESTRAVAGANZA! This is a guest post by Cassandra Yorgey, a novelist who blogs about speculative fiction and social change over at examiner.com

GUEST: Wolfgang Spider Robot by Steve Wilson

Submitted by Jam on October 29, 2010 - 7:37pm

It’s GUESTRAVAGANZA! This is a guest post by Steve Wilson of Ohio State University.

I am a senior mechanical engineering student at Ohio State currently and will be graduating in the spring. My girlfriend showed me Wasted Talent a few years ago and I've been reading ever since.

Solidworks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGuswmXQ8JI&feature=related