why I chose chemical engineering (full story)

Lauren Abbey
12 Jan 202316:57
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging video, Lauren, a junior chemical engineering student at the University of Rhode Island, shares her inspiring journey of switching majors from biomedical to chemical engineering. She discusses her passion for biochemistry and how an engineering challenge in 8th grade sparked her interest in the field. Lauren also talks about the importance of following one's gut, continuous learning, and broadening one's horizons to find the right path in life and education.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 Lauren, a junior at the University of Rhode Island, switched her major from biomedical to chemical engineering in her freshman year.
  • 🔄 The switch was motivated by her realization that the biomedical engineering program was more electrical and device-focused, whereas she was more interested in biochemistry and biological processes.
  • 🔬 Her passion for engineering began in middle school through class projects that involved engineering challenges, which sparked her interest in solving problems through building and testing.
  • 👩‍🔬 Initially planning a career in medicine, Lauren’s interest shifted to engineering after learning about the possibilities in biomedical engineering from a friend.
  • 📚 The video discusses the importance of coursework and foundational classes in engineering, which teach problem-solving skills, even if they don’t directly align with specific interests.
  • 🏫 Lauren's decision was also influenced by a tour of her university’s engineering labs, where she noticed that the labs that aligned with her interests were under the chemical engineering department.
  • 👥 She emphasizes the importance of talking to advisors and trusted individuals when considering a major switch in college.
  • 💡 Lauren encourages students to keep exploring and learning about their fields of interest, stressing the importance of following one’s intuition in educational pursuits.
  • 🎒 Despite the switch being daunting during a tumultuous time (COVID-19 pandemic), Lauren found the process of changing majors to be straightforward and beneficial.
  • 🌟 The video ends with motivational advice, encouraging students to not fear making changes and mistakes, as these are part of the journey to finding the right career path.
Q & A

  • Why did Lauren switch her major from biomedical engineering to chemical engineering?

    -Lauren switched her major because she found that the biomedical engineering program at her university was more electrical-focused, whereas she was more interested in the biochemistry and tissue science aspects. She discovered that chemical engineering, specifically the pharmaceutical concentration, aligned better with her interests in drug development and medical applications.

  • What inspired Lauren to consider engineering as a career path?

    -Lauren's inspiration came from her 8th-grade science class, where she participated in monthly engineering challenges. These activities introduced her to the scientific method and problem-solving, which she found enjoyable and relevant to the engineering field.

  • How did Lauren first learn about biomedical engineering?

    -Lauren first learned about biomedical engineering from a friend in high school. Her friend, whose parents were engineers, explained the field as a middle ground between the medical field and engineering, which sparked Lauren's interest.

  • What type of research does Lauren participate in?

    -Lauren participates in research related to immuno-engineering, drug development, and nanotechnology. She has conducted research both at her home institution and through a summer internship at Vanderbilt.

  • What advice does Lauren give to those who are unsure about their major or considering engineering?

    -Lauren advises to keep looking, keep learning, and trust your gut. She emphasizes the importance of research, conversations with others, and being open to making mistakes and taking the plunge.

  • How does Lauren balance her academic interests with the required curriculum?

    -Although some of her required classes do not directly align with her interests, Lauren reminds herself that these classes teach her how to think and solve problems like an engineer, which is crucial for her future goals.

  • What is Lauren's undergraduate research focused on?

    -Lauren's undergraduate research is focused on cancer drug delivery. She has presented her work in various settings and continues to explore this field through her research opportunities.

  • Why did Lauren choose the pharmaceutical concentration within chemical engineering?

    -Lauren chose the pharmaceutical concentration because it deals with drug delivery and pharmaceutical aspects of chemical engineering, which perfectly align with her interests in biochemistry and medical applications.

  • How has Lauren's journey in engineering been influenced by her experiences in high school and college?

    -Lauren's journey has been significantly influenced by her high school experiences, such as her love for biochemistry, and her college experiences, including her realization that her university's biomedical engineering program was not what she expected and her subsequent decision to switch majors.

  • What is Lauren's perspective on the difference between biomedical and chemical engineering at her university?

    -At her university, Lauren found that biomedical engineering was more electrical-focused, while chemical engineering was more aligned with her interests in biochemistry and medical applications, particularly in drug development and delivery.

  • How does Lauren handle the challenges of required classes that do not align with her specific interests?

    -Lauren acknowledges that not all classes align with her specific interests but sees the value in them for developing her problem-solving and engineering thinking skills, which are essential for her future career.

Outlines
00:00
🎓 Introduction and Background in Engineering

The speaker, Lauren, introduces herself as a junior chemical engineering student at the University of Rhode Island. She discusses her transition from biomedical engineering to chemical engineering, hinting at her passion for the field and the reasons behind her major switch. She shares her excitement about taking the audience through her day while explaining her journey into engineering.

05:01
🌟 Middle School Spark and High School Realization

Lauren recounts her middle school experience with engineering challenges that sparked her interest in problem-solving and the scientific method. She then transitions into her high school years, where her love for biochemistry and a conversation with a friend about biomedical engineering led her to consider a career in this interdisciplinary field. She emphasizes the importance of these experiences in shaping her educational and career path.

10:03
🔍 Discovering Chemical Engineering in College

During her freshman year of college, Lauren realizes that the biomedical engineering program at her university is more electrical-focused than she expected. After watching introduction videos for different engineering departments, she becomes intrigued by chemical engineering, particularly its pharmaceutical concentration. She describes her decision-making process, including seeking advice from her advisor and trusted individuals, which ultimately leads her to switch her major.

15:04
💪 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Research

Lauren acknowledges that not every class has been her favorite due to their focus on traditional chemical engineering subjects rather than her interest in immuno-engineering and drug development. However, she emphasizes the importance of these classes in teaching her engineering problem-solving skills. She also highlights the significance of her undergraduate research experience, both at her home institution and during a summer internship, in aligning her education with her career goals and interests in cutting-edge fields.

🎨 Balancing Life, Passion, and Future Aspirations

Lauren concludes her story by sharing her current junior year experience, her ongoing struggle to find inspiration for her room decor, and her recent successful meal prep. She ends the video by expressing her hope that the audience found her story enlightening and encourages viewers to pursue their passions, trust their instincts, and embrace the learning process. She signs off with a call to action for viewers to engage with her content and wishes everyone happiness and health.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, production, and operation of processes that convert raw materials into valuable products. In the video, the narrator chose Chemical Engineering because it aligned with their interests in biochemistry and the mechanisms of the human body, allowing them to combine their passion for science with problem-solving and innovation in the medical field.
💡Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that applies engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology. This field seeks to create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in healthcare. In the context of the video, the narrator initially thought Biomedical Engineering would be the perfect blend of medical and engineering fields but later realized it was more electrically focused than what they were interested in.
💡Drug Delivery Systems
Drug Delivery Systems refer to technologies or methods used to transport medications to the required site of action in the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. This concept is of particular interest to the narrator, as it combines their passion for biochemistry and engineering to develop innovative ways to administer medication effectively.
💡Immunoengineering
Immunoengineering is a subfield of bioengineering that focuses on the design and development of materials and systems to interact with the immune system. This can involve creating devices or therapies that can modulate immune responses for the treatment of diseases. In the video, the narrator expresses a strong interest in this area, indicating a desire to work on cutting-edge research in this field.
💡Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. It involves creating materials and devices with unique properties at the nanoscale. In the video, nanotechnology is mentioned as one of the advanced research areas that the narrator is excited to explore within the realm of chemical engineering.
💡Engineering Challenges
Engineering Challenges are practical tasks or problems designed to stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in an engineering context. These challenges often require creativity, teamwork, and the application of scientific principles. In the video, such challenges were introduced to the narrator in middle school, sparking their initial interest in engineering.
💡Pharmaceutical Concentration
A Pharmaceutical Concentration within a Chemical Engineering program refers to a specialized focus on the application of chemical engineering principles to the pharmaceutical industry. This includes learning about drug development, manufacturing processes, and the design of delivery systems. The narrator chose this concentration to align with their interests in drug delivery and biochemistry.
💡Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Research refers to research activities that are conducted by undergraduate students, often under the guidance of faculty members. These experiences provide students with hands-on opportunities to engage in scientific investigation, problem-solving, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field of study. In the video, the narrator emphasizes the importance of their undergraduate research experience in supplementing their academic studies and aligning with their career goals.
💡Career Choice
Career Choice refers to the decision-making process individuals undergo when selecting a profession or trade. This process often involves self-assessment, exploration of options, and consideration of personal interests, skills, and values. In the video, the narrator shares their journey of choosing chemical engineering as a career, highlighting the importance of following one's passion and being open to change and exploration.
💡Academic Advisor
An Academic Advisor is a faculty member or professional in an educational institution who provides guidance and assistance to students in matters related to their academic progress, course selection, major declaration, and career planning. In the video, the narrator consulted with their academic advisor when considering a major change, emphasizing the role of advisors in supporting students' academic decisions.
💡Self-Discovery
Self-Discovery is the process of understanding and becoming aware of one's own abilities, interests, values, and goals. It often involves exploration, introspection, and making decisions that align with one's personal identity. In the video, the narrator's journey of switching majors and finding their passion for chemical engineering exemplifies the process of self-discovery, as they made decisions based on their interests and gut feelings.
Highlights

Lauren, a junior at the University of Rhode Island, shares her journey of studying chemical engineering.

The video explores why Lauren chose chemical engineering and her switch from biomedical engineering.

Lauren's interest in engineering began in 8th grade with monthly engineering challenges.

She initially thought pre-med was the only way to combine her love for biochemistry and the medical field.

A conversation with a friend introduced Lauren to biomedical engineering.

Lauren realized biomedical engineering was more electrical-focused than she expected.

She was drawn to chemical engineering for its focus on biochemistry and drug delivery.

Lauren's high school experience solidified her love for math and science.

Her undergraduate research补充了她的大学生涯， aligning with her interests in immuno-engineering and drug development.

Lauren encourages viewers to keep looking, learning, and trusting their gut when choosing a major.

She mentions that not every class has been her favorite, but they teach her problem-solving as an engineer.

Lauren's story emphasizes the importance of exploring different fields within engineering.

She shares her excitement for the future, particularly in the pharmaceutical concentration of chemical engineering.

Lauren's video is a candid look into her daily life as a chemical engineering student.

She provides advice for those struggling to choose a major or unsure if engineering is the right path.

Lauren's narrative is a testament to the value of following one's passion and interests.

The video concludes with Lauren's encouragement to embrace the journey, regardless of the challenges.

Transcripts

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