About Me
My background
I'm Dani, an engineering enthusiast turned engineering student. Currently I'm focused on an electrical engineering pathway but I'm still considering my options. The academic achievements I'm most proud of is holding certifications in several industries such as technology, healthcare, law enforcement, and even disaster response. My previous engineering related experience centers around software engineering but I also have experience with car security systems and small engine repair. In my time at century college I was the founder and president of the social change club, served as Co-President of the LGBT Club, and was a member of the student senate.
My Interests
My reason for joining the engineering course was to help me decide if I want to pursue a career in engineering, and to have a more definitive and objective measure of how prepared I am academically. My passion for finding why and how things work has fueled my interest in engineering, but electrical engineering has always interested me because it seems almost like magic. Some of my dream improvements that I could work on with a better understanding of engineering are things like mesh networking, energy generation, and distributing agricultural production. I think that engineering can make a huge difference in everything from how we access information, healthcare, food, water, etc. I'm really excited to be a part of making that difference in the world.
My Goals
Short term, I hope to learn skills like 3D modeling, circuit design, and other skills required to design and build things. To call yourself an engineer I always thought you had to complete an engineering degree accredited by an organization like ABET but I have started to realize that it can also apply to people who are utilizing the same tools and skills. Over the next 5 or so years I hope to complete my degree and improve my engineering skills by taking classes, engaging in self study, and completing engineering projects. My philosophy to achieve success and living life in general has always been to learn everything that i can, and just try to do things that I enjoy.
FAQ
What is your greatest strength as an engineer?
I think my greatest strength is that I hyperfocus on a subject and put 150% into everything I do. One example is during peer reviews - I developed my own template to explain in detail what I thought was done well and what needed improvement.
What areas of engineering interest you most?
I'm most interested in electrical engineering, chemical/bio engineering, and software engineering. The reason they interest me is they feel like the closest thing to "magic," and I want to understand the science behind them. My goals include learning circuit design, understanding genetic engineering and CRISPR technologies, and exploring distributed networks.
What soft skills do you bring to a team?
Some soft skills I have are communication, kindness, and understanding. During peer reviews, I would still do my best to critique work and write a letter to each person explaining what was good, what needed improvement, and what was missing.
What did you learn most from in your studies?
I think I learned the most from 3D modeling. I went from zero experience to creating a model I could print on my home 3D printer. This skill also taught me how to better plan designs on paper and think through complex shapes.