Drafting the Arc Reactor

Over the past few weeks, I have been practicing my drafting skills at my mentorship through mini drafting projects using Auto CAD and Microstation. Some of the things I have created include floorplans of bedrooms, two-dimensional models of inanimate objects, as well as complex shapes and designs. In my latest visits to BPE, I have taken on my most challenging project yet: creating a 2-D model of Tony Stark's arc reactor from Iron Man 2. Having spent a considerable number of hours working on it, I am pleased to announce that I am approaching completion of my most memorable project thus far. 

Blog 6 - Second Interview Preparation

The purpose of the second interview is to justify your mentor as an expert in the field.  Thus, you will be asking them at least 5 questions about their background and/or the background of the organization or company where they work.

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?

My mentor's name is Allen Barreno and he is a professional project electrical engineer. He works at BERG Power Engineers in West Covina, CA. 

2.  What five* questions will you ask them about their background?

• Tell me about the most challenging engineering project you've been involved with over the past year.
• Tell me about a time when you became aware of a hazardous workplace condition. How did you handle it?
• Give me an example of when you had to teach a skill to another engineer.
• Tell me about your experience in dealing with routine engineering work. How do you keep from getting bored?
• For what advice or assistance do fellow engineers turn to you?
• Give me two examples of technical decisions you had to make on your last job?
• In the field of engineering, priorities often change quickly. Give me an example of a time when that happened. How did you handle it?

The interview is due 10/25 by 8AM in Q&A format to turnitin.com.

*(an arbitrary number)

Blog 5 - Mentorship Reflection

Due Date:  Thursday September 11 by 8AM

Based on what you have done for your senior project so far, answer the following questions (be specific and use examples).

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

About mid-June, I began my grueling quest for an electrical engineer that would take me under their wing. I spent about 5 days researching and calling different companies (such as Edison, LA DWP, and Cal trans) for a mentorship, but to no avail. On the seventh day (like an act of Providence), my mom gave me a list of phone numbers of engineering firms around my area. I called about ten firms from three different cities before I stumbled upon a company called BERG Power Engineers (BPE). When I contacted the company, I was greeted by the secretary who told me about an electrical engineer named: Allen Barreno and how he could possibly assist me with my dilemma.  After consulting with the secretary, I visited their website to check the resumes of the different engineers that worked there. When I looked over his resume, I couldn't help but grin at how legitimate and well-rounded he was and I decided to make a trip over to BPE to ask him to be my mentor. The next day, I went to BPE, where I met up with Allen to discuss my Senior project and the opportunity to pursue a mentorship there. After a few minutes of discussion, he pleasantly agreed to make me his apprentice. He told me I could start observing and helping him the subsequent Monday. The following week, I began my mentorship at BERG for 14 days before the beginning of the school year. Since then, I have been mentoring there every Friday. 

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

The most important article I've read so far is called What are the Different Types of Jobs for Power Engineers? because it has helped me to focus my research on problems encountered primarily by power systems engineers. This article also offers a concise description of many other jobs [as wells as their educational requirements] related to the power engineering field, such as a power plant control engineer, software engineer, and a service & repair engineer.