Briefly explain what attracted you to the field of engineering, and what you intend to do with your

degree. Then, fast forward 20 years. Statistics show that approximately 20% of people with Science

& Engineering degrees end up in management positions, not necessarily the job that first attracted

them to the engineering field. If you were in management and found yourself up against a shortage

of engineers, what would you do to attract engineers to your company, or to encourage students to

choose engineering as a career choice?

By Joe Kaltenthaler

READY, SET, GO

It’s definitely in my genes. I was first attracted to engineering because my father, a civil engineer, has

always been my strongest role model. In addition, both my grandfather and great-grandfather, nearly a

century ago, were engineers. Growing up I was always enlisted to help with my father’s home projects

and discuss solutions to the problems. It wasn’t long before I graduated from “helper” to doing projects

myself at home, and then for others. From a young age, I was fascinated by the concept of flight. While

lying in bed the jet fighter posters in my bedroom piqued my curiosity as I pondered how heavy metal

objects could stay in the air and dance around the sky.

Primary and secondary education math and science classes, particularly calculus, intrigued me while I

learned the value of hard work in solving problems. Naturally, engineering was the way to go in college

and I have been fortunate to be stimulated by excellent opportunities and professors at Rose-Hulman

Institute of Technology as I pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree. Gaining as much practical

aerospace industry experience as possible before graduation is important to me and I already have had

three incredible rotations at Rolls-Royce Corporation.

RUNNING THE RACE

As a college junior with two years of intensive coursework and nearly 9 months of corporate engineering

work at Rolls-Royce under my belt, my career goals are still evolving. At first I planned to stay as long as

possible and make a career at Rolls-Royce, but as I’ve grown through the experience, my goals are

changing. After sampling different departments, the experience has shown me what I don’t want to do

for a lifetime career!

I come from a small town, went to a small high school and now go to a small college so I enjoy the smaller,

more intimate feel provided by those settings. As a number not a name, I feel lost in the shuffle in the

large company. Plus recently co-founding Five Loaves Two Fish, Inc., a Christian faith-based non-profit

organization has revealed more about myself as a person, an engineer and a teammate.

Starting Five Loaves Two Fish from scratch, a small non-profit which seeks to provide financial support

for sustainable projects in the Third World, has given me incredible perspective on organizations. Going

from being a small piece in a large system to creating a new system –though small – is empowering. This

startup opportunity has spurred me to consider a more entrepreneurial route with my engineering

degree. I have always been a hard worker and self-starter who loves to work with other passionate

individuals where success depends on creativity and gumption.

Working in corporate engineering I have been a subordinate to the process, required to improve

efficiency, managed to deliver results and in the position to question procedures and direction. I already

envision myself as a responsible future manager. I have observed managers and seen them carry out

employee and project evaluations, place importance on the ‘big picture’ and direction of the organization

hire new talent for the company. To further my aspirations I am considering an MBA degree with related

coursework in engineering applications.

THE ROAD AHEAD

In a future management position, I would work to influence a company in these areas:

1) Innovation: Many engineers want to work at companies that are doing the most innovative things with

current technologies. Funding for R&D and technology to attract younger talent is a must. Not only will

that increase interest from potential hires but it should also provide business utility in helping deliver

more effective results to customers that will eventually spill back to bump up the bottom line.

2) Commitment to employee growth: Instead of hiring talent, hire people with a commitment to their

personal growth. Continuing educational opportunities in graduate level studies and industry continuing

education seminars is an investment in employees and should be treated as a priority. Set them loose in

their community and see what they can do!

3) Workplace culture: this is more than ping pong, free meals and slides; the fun and flashy employee

distractions. Applauding staff through genuine personal recognition and bonuses help with employee

morale and productivity. Building an environment in which people enjoy working and feel empowered to

offer input is key to sparking creativity.

4) Take the company to the high school: tight school budgets have cut everything but the basics in

education. However, innovative clubs advised or directed by enthusiastic engineers can open the eyes of

high school students to engineering. Google has an app development seminar that used to be open to

those over 18, and now it’s open to 13-18 year olds [1]. There’s collaboration happening everywhere, and

it’s important to target a young audience so they have time to develop and experiment with their

passions before college to better aim their studies.

The NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering list is very a useful assortment of engineering topics for

students to brainstorm [2]. Hosting sessions that get students hands-on experience troubleshooting these

problems like: “Make solar energy economical”, or “Provide access to clean water”, could get students in

the problem solving mindset and increase interest in engineering.

As long as there are people and technology in the world, there will be engineering. It is the job of all

engineers to increase interest in the profession by next generation so they follow in the footsteps of those

who have created and maintain new – and old – technologies. As I’ve seen in my dad and grandfather,

once an engineer, always an engineer.

[1]Jardine, Ian. “Google Announces 2014-2015 Dates for Student Centered Open Source Code Programs”. Android Headlines.

Accessed: 10/08/2014

[2] “National Academy of Engineering” [Website]. Accessed: 10/08/2014