What motivated you to want to become an engineer?

I always had a passion for understanding how things worked. Growing up, I would take apart my remote control toy cars in order to figure out what was behind the inner workings of the movement. In the process of doing this, I’d make it inoperable and at times challenge myself to undo what I broke. Becoming an engineer has helped me to not only understand how my remote control toy cars move when I press a button on the transmitter but also how I can apply this knowledge to other areas in the engineering field.

What project that you worked on are you the proudest of and why?

I am fortunate to be part of the team working on a COVID-19 vaccine formulation project. We are currently in the middle of a pandemic and the vaccine was one of the first to be approved for use. The fast-paced nature of the project condensed what would be months of project preparation into few weeks. The awareness of being part of a project that can help bring an end to this pandemic and get us all back to some sense of normalcy makes every day on the project worth looking forward to.

How has your work in engineering changed due to COVID-19 restrictions?

My work in engineering has changed quite a bit since the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. As a result of the work from home restriction and not being in the office, I am not physically able to stop by a colleague’s desk to ask of their opinion on a design. However, with the help of communication technology and software programs I have been able to find ways to ensure such changes due to the COVID-19 restrictions did not have any impact on my engineering work.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job are the challenges that I come across in the process of fulfilling our client’s requirements in making their dream become reality. You seat across the conference table (or nowadays a video conference call) in a kick-off meeting and discuss all the requirements to complete the project. From the first design package issue, to the construction/last issue, visiting the project site for walk through/inspection and handing the site over to the client. Each step of my job comes with its own sets of challenges. What I love most is overcoming those present challenges and being prepared for future challenges.

Can you please share advice that you have for anyone that is considering a career in engineering?

A career in engineering is fun and exciting. For anyone considering a career in engineering, do not be afraid of failure and do not give up. Oftentimes, our clients task us with the impossible. Our job as engineers is to make their vision a reality. Remember Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Take each failure as a step forward. In the case of inventor Edison, the light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps. The ultimate goal in our pursuit of perfection is to be better today than you were yesterday and better tomorrow than you are today.