Throughout this course I gained a much clearer understanding of the Engineering Design process, especially the idea that it is deeply iterative. I learned that it is normal and often necessary to revisit earlier steps as new challenges appear. Seeing how designs evolve through repeated refinement helped me understand that iteration is not a setback but an essential part of engineering work.
My experiences also showed me that communication and creativity are central attributes of an engineer. This course pushed me to explore solutions that had not been tried before, and I had to communicate those ideas clearly to my team through discussions and written reports. I realized that even strong technical ideas have little impact if they cannot be shared and understood.
The life cycle analysis and stakeholder assessments were especially eye opening. They helped me see how engineers carry significant ethical responsibilities. A single inethical or uninformed decision can have long term consequences for communities and the environment. This made the professional obligations of engineers feel much more real.
One strength I discovered was my ability to write effectively when I care about the topic. Even though writing has never been my favourite part of school, the relevance of this project motivated me and allowed me to excel.
I also identified areas where I want to grow. I want to improve my prototyping skills by becoming more confident with CAD so I can bring ideas into tangible form earlier in the design process. I also want to get better at balancing detailed work with big picture thinking by stepping back more often to check how my decisions align with project goals. By focusing on these areas I can continue developing into a more capable engineer.
Overall, Sustainable Engineering with Dr. Bam and Dr. Eisenstein introduced me to what it means to be an engineer. I'm excited to embark on this life changing journey and can't wait to see what there is to learn. Thanks for amazing semester :)
- Jack Koskie