intro: EXTD160

Introduction to Engineering. What does that even mean?

That was my big question going into this course. Of course, the /obvious/ answer is what's listed in the objectives on the course information sheet and a bit of common sense. How to apply an engineering design process. How to use SolidWorks. How to use a laser cutter, how to create models, and how important it is to NOT break any expensive equipment. But that's just the basics.

Don't get me wrong: that all sounds REALLY exciting to me (except for the possible breaking of expensive machinery which is absolutely terrifying/the laser cutter seems like a possible threat to my already extremely poor eyesight), but I'm more interested in what this course means to me as a part of my thus far very malleable future 'plan'... which at this point, has the structural stability of a play-doh snake molded by a four year old.

I mean, I've taken many courses that one might traditionally think of as a solid base for engineering. In high school, I took IB Calc, Robotics/Computer Programming, AP Physics... along with other semi-related things like AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Stats etc (now maybe I'm just getting engineering mixed up with nerd. wait is that offensive??). In college thus far, I took Calc II and Physics again, and am now currently enrolled in Multivar. Calc. My point is, my academic record seems to be an indicator that I might be well prepped for engineering. But, am I?

I don't know if I have the creativity it takes to be an engineer. I mean, I /know/ I'm creative... I want to be a studio art minor, which I would assume requires some type of creativity. But am I smart enough? Am I good enough at physics? At common sense? Is the way that I think conducive to a career as an engineer? Do I have that je ne sais quoi that it takes to be an engineer versus a researcher or "regular" scientist? I guess what EXTD160: Intro to Engineering means to me and what I want to get out of it isn't just a list of objectives.

Honestly, am I really that interested in engineering? Am I ready to commit to something? Or is it just another one of my random and somewhat fleeting obsessions? (I REALLY wanted to be a geologist from ages 8-12). I'm in college now though, and I'm supposed to start figuring out what I want to do with my life, and I guess taking this course is the first step.

I guess I'm still just messing with play-doh.

//end rant