A Reflection of ENGR 499 - Engineering Capstone Design Project
Through this project, I learned how to engage in a multidisciplinary team to develop a solution for content outside of my comfort zone. This project was also the longest I have ever worked in a team for a given project, allowing me to develop my teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
Through this experience, I was affirmed that while domain knowledge is important, the ability to communicate with your team and stakeholders is equally, if not even more vital for success. This was demonstrated through frequent communication with the client to confirm design requirements. Additional important attributes include the ability to gather information and evaluate its importance, critical thinking, and flexibility.
My experience on this project has given me a glimpse into the roles and responsibilities of a professional engineer by providing a simulacrum of the design process of an engineering problem from the beginning, the general engineering problem of low-temperature concrete curing, to the end, possessing a working prototype. The experience of being in a multidisciplinary team, choosing between multiple design candidates (for instance with the heating element), and communicating both inside and outside of the group stood out to me as the most representative of the work of an engineer.
During my time in the School of Engineering, I have come to learn a lot not just about engineering but about myself. I am detail-oriented, quick to get things done, genial, and communicative. However, sometimes this proactiveness can clash with the schedules of other group members, leading to friction on when a deliverable is to be done. To develop this skill, I will continue to work with my teammates to understand how they work and build a schedule that best facilitates the progression of the project. This will be implemented through open, unabashed communication and a friendly work environment.