Engineers Week Q&A with Abby Coleman, IMEG Innovation Specialist
Q: What motivated you to become an engineer?
A: Ever since I was little, I always liked helping my dad in the garage and fixing things around the house. I’d come to realize that I was good at math and loved solving challenging problems. My dad suggested I become an engineer, so I took that idea and ran with it. I chose to be a mechanical engineer because I like being able to solve a diverse set of problems.
Q: What excites you about your chosen career?
A: I’ve always liked the quote, “Leave the world a better place than you found it.” As an Innovation Specialist, it excites me to know that I have the potential to help not only my company, but my community and planet by thinking outside the box and helping to spread innovation to other engineers.
Q: How do you see engineers playing a role in shaping the world of tomorrow?
A: Engineers play a big role in shaping the world of tomorrow. They do this by being innovative, implementing new technologies, being sustainable, and teaching new and upcoming engineers the lessons they’ve learned and how to improve.
Q: What does innovation mean to you?
A: To me, an innovation is simply making a better revision of something that already exists. As innovation has been growing exponentially, I hope I get to experience what it’s like to drive a flying car in my lifetime.
Q: What advice do you have for those considering a STEM-related career?
A: There are a ton of niche jobs in the STEM career field. For those who are considering this awesome career path, I highly encourage you to take as many internships as you can. This will help you navigate what you like and dislike.
Learn how to apply for an IMEG Engineering Scholarship and find additional resources for engineering students on the NSPE website.
