I'm an Engineer, I'm a Runner

I define myself in a handful of ways, two of which are engineer and runner. (The other two are marketer and cheese hater as you can see from the header of my blog.) I started running back in 1998 when my gym membership ran out and an engineering friend asked if I wanted to go for a run. Sure! Ugh, I hated it, but kept at it for a while. Fast forward to 2002 when I ran my first race (a 10K) ... and I haven't stopped since! As far as being an engineer though, my credentials are a bit shaky  as of late.

Engineering Dreams

I spent as much of my life as I can remember wanting to be an engineer like my dad. When I was in middle school I read a book about engineering professions, and decided then that I wanted to be a biomedical engineer specifically! Once I got to middle school though I struggled in the life sciences, and decided  that I'd be a civil engineer like my dad instead.

Playing Engineer at My Dad's Office

I didn't get into my top choice school (UC Davis) which had civil engineering, but I did get into UCSB which had mechanical engineering instead of civil engineering. My advisor told me that the first two years of both programs were similar enough that if I wanted to try to transfer to UC Davis after my sophomore year the transition between majors wouldn't be too difficult. I ended up liking Mechanical Engineering and staying with the major though, and 4 1/2 horrifically difficult years later, I was an engineer! Whoo hoo!

Senior Design Project Team
(Widget Separator Challenge)

Proudest Moment of My Life

 

I took a job out of college as an Applications Engineer, and worked at a software company in San Jose for 3 1/2 years before moving to Arizona to start the High-Tech MBA program at ASU. Here begins the end of my engineering career. I first took a job as a project manager, then switched companies to become a people manager, before finally graduating and starting my career in what has turned out to be another true passion - Marketing! (Its ironic how I spent my whole life dreaming of becoming an engineer, practically killed myself in school trying to get to that degree, worked endless hours as an engineer after that, only to quickly exit the field to do something else. I know that I wouldn't be where I am in my career today if I hadn't started out in engineering, but I'm still surprised by the path that my career has taken when I look back. Who would have ever known 10 years ago?)

San Diego Science Festival

A few months ago I got an email from a fellow member of Athena who was putting out a call for volunteers to work the Athena booth at the San Diego Science Festival's Expo Day. The event was taking place at Petco Park which is a few miles from my house, and involved an interactive activity with kids. LOVE IT! I signed up immediately and have been looking forward to the event. On Expo Day there were 135 hands-on activities for kids put on by the various science and technology companies headquartered in San Diego.

 

Am I an Engineer Still?

Last week the organizer of our booth sent out some final instructions and also let me know that she had requested a "Ask an Engineer" button for me to wear at the booth. I was taken back at first and guiltily reminded her that I don't work as an engineer anymore, I'm in Marketing! (What many consider to be a fluff career, but it really isn't!)

Ask an Engineer/Scientist Area

Annie: Monika - "I will put you down for one "Ask Me" button.  As I recall from our FEW meeting, you're are professional bio-tech scientist!  Wear it with pride.  We all deserved it after all the hard work we put in our study and career." 

Monika: "I majored in Mechanical Engineering and worked as an Applications Engineer for 3 1/2 years ... but I'm now in Marketing for a medical device. I still consider myself an engineer at heart though and I think engineering has helped me get the Marketing jobs I've had to date. I'll wear the button!"

Annie: "There you go!  Me too.  I studied computer science and was a programmer for many years.  Then moved to management and kept up with the technology through my team.  I also tell everyone 'I am an engineer'. "

Well there you have it, I deserve to wear my button!

Proudly Wearing my DNA Bracelet & Engineer Button

Athena Engineers & Scientists

Science Festival Expo Day

I arrived at the event a little bit late since I had just come from Coronado where I had to pick up my race bib for my triathlon the next day (Super Seal Sprint). I was surprised to see how crowded the area was around Petco Park, and was amazed by how packed the inside of the ballpark was with exhibits and people! I had to fight my way through the crowds to find the Athena booth, and was happy to see that our table was pretty busy (who wants an empty, boring exhibit that no one wants to do?). Upon arriving I got a quick rundown on the supplies for the activity, and then I jumped right in!

DNA Bracelet Beads

Kids Enjoying the Activity

Each person who came up to the table had to fill out a brief traits questionnaire , and depending on the traits that they circled they would receive different color beads to put on a pipe cleaner to represent their "DNA". We encouraged parents as well as kids to participate so they could compare the similarities and differences between their bracelets. This was a cute and fun way to teach the kids about traits and genetics. In the three hours that I was there we didn't have a second where the table was empty. The four of us working the table were flying around the whole time taking questionnaires, grabbing beads, tying on bracelets, and explaining the meaning of the exercise. This was a really fun and rewarding event and I'm so glad I signed up to volunteer!

Gene, The Friar, and Sid the Science Kid