Engineers beyond engineering -- the art of being an engineer: Philippe Rival at TEDxImperialCollege

TEDx Talks
19 May 201411:23
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe speaker, a civil engineering student, reflects on their academic journey at Imperial, highlighting the challenges and growth experienced. Initially feeling out of place, they find inspiration at the One Young World summit, realizing the importance of engineers being open, creative, and engaged with society. They advocate for breaking down the silos between engineering and other fields, emphasizing the need for better communication and the inclusion of engineers in diverse spaces to foster innovation and societal progress.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 The speaker began their civil engineering journey with a strong sense of responsibility towards the safety of future infrastructure.
  • 🌟 The enriching experience of learning was highlighted, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and knowledge acquisition.
  • 🚧 The reality of feeling out of place and the struggle with identity within the university environment was shared.
  • 🌐 The contrast between the diverse, international education background and the more focused, singular approach in university was noted.
  • 🤔 The realization of being perceived as a 'freak' for having multiple interests outside of engineering led to self-doubt and reflection.
  • 🔄 The importance of balance between technical expertise and a broader set of interests and skills was discussed.
  • 💡 The transformative experience of attending the One Young World summit in Pittsburgh, which rekindled the speaker's passion for a holistic approach to engineering.
  • 🌍 The lack of engineers at the summit underscored the need for the profession to be more engaged with global issues and diverse perspectives.
  • 📢 A call to action for both engineers and society to break down silos and promote more interdisciplinary collaboration was made.
  • 🏢 The shift in company recruitment strategies to value practical implementation and diverse skillsets over pure academic ability was mentioned.
  • 🏫 The need for educational institutions to update their assessment methods to better prepare engineers for real-world applications was emphasized.
Q & A

  • What is the speaker's educational background?

    -The speaker is a civil engineering student at Imperial College, who started their studies three years ago and is about to graduate in a year.

  • How does the speaker describe their experience in the field of engineering?

    -The speaker describes their experience as enriching and challenging, with a sense of responsibility for the safety and functionality of the structures they will eventually design.

  • What was the speaker's initial feeling upon entering university?

    -Initially, the speaker felt out of place and unhappy, despite having a passion for engineering and a diverse set of interests.

  • How did the speaker's high school experience differ from their university experience?

    -In high school, the speaker attended an international school in Paris where they were encouraged to pursue a wide variety of interests, unlike in university where they felt more isolated and misunderstood.

  • What event helped the speaker regain their confidence and passion?

    -The speaker's confidence and passion were reignited by attending the One Young World summit in Pittsburgh, where they met other innovative and creative individuals who shared their worldview.

  • What did the speaker learn from the One Young World summit?

    -The speaker learned that engineers should be more open, approachable, and willing to take responsibility for their ideas, and that society should be more welcoming and inclusive of engineers.

  • What is the speaker's perspective on the role of engineers in society?

    -The speaker believes that engineers should be passionate about people and the environment and focus on bringing them together in a sustainable and durable way, rather than just being technically proficient.

  • What changes does the speaker suggest for the engineering profession?

    -The speaker suggests that engineers should be more open to new ideas, better at communicating their work, and that society and educational institutions should change their perceptions and expectations of engineers.

  • How does the speaker propose to break down the 'silos' in society?

    -The speaker proposes that by including engineers in diverse fields and encouraging more interaction and communication between different professions, the silos can be broken down and a more integrated society can be achieved.

  • What advice does the speaker give to the audience?

    -The speaker advises the audience to include engineers in activities and fields where they haven't been involved before, as engineers have valuable and diverse perspectives to offer.

  • How does the speaker view the future of engineering education?

    -The speaker believes that engineering education should evolve to include practical implementation skills and encourage the development of well-rounded engineers who can contribute to society in diverse ways.

Outlines
00:00
🎓 Journey of a Civil Engineering Student

The speaker begins by sharing their personal journey as a civil engineering student at Imperial College, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the field. They express a sense of responsibility towards the safety of future infrastructure projects and the importance of a continuous learning curve in engineering. The speaker also discusses feelings of being out of place and the struggle to fit into the university environment, leading to a period of introspection and growth. The paragraph culminates with the speaker's realization of the need for a broader perspective in engineering, beyond just technical skills.

05:02
🌐 Encounters at the One Young World Summit

In this paragraph, the speaker recounts their transformative experience at the One Young World Summit in Pittsburgh, where they engaged with 1,300 innovative individuals and influential speakers, including President Clinton. The summit's emphasis on global collaboration and diverse perspectives resonated with the speaker, reinforcing their belief in the importance of engineers being involved in societal discussions. The speaker reflects on the isolation often experienced by engineers and advocates for a change in societal attitudes towards the engineering profession, encouraging more interaction and integration with other fields.

10:04
🔄 Breaking the Engineering Silo

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the need to break down the silos that separate different professional fields, particularly the engineering silo. They argue that engineers should not only be creators of ideas but also active promoters of those ideas to ensure their implementation and societal impact. The speaker calls for a shift in the way engineers are educated, advocating for a focus on practical skills alongside academic knowledge. They end with a rallying cry to embrace the essential role of engineers in sustaining civilization and to work together to dismantle the barriers that keep professionals in isolated fields.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. This includes public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. In the video, the speaker mentions starting their journey in civil engineering at Imperial, highlighting the importance of this field in creating infrastructure that is safe and reliable for public use.
💡Learning Curve
A learning curve refers to the process of acquiring new skills or knowledge, where the rate of learning is typically fast at the beginning and then gradually slows down as one becomes more proficient. In the context of the video, the speaker describes their experience in civil engineering as being very enriching due to the fantastic learning curve they have encountered, indicating the continuous growth and development of their skills and understanding throughout their education.
💡Diversity of Interests
Diversity of interests refers to having a wide range of hobbies, passions, or areas of study that one is interested in. The speaker in the video emphasizes the importance of pursuing multiple interests, drawing from their own experience of attending an international school where they were encouraged to explore various topics. This concept is central to the speaker's identity and their approach to education and life.
💡Engineer's Responsibility
An engineer's responsibility refers to the ethical and professional duties that engineers have towards society, the environment, and the safety of the public. This responsibility is underscored by the potential consequences of engineering mistakes, which can lead to significant harm or loss of life. In the video, the speaker grapples with the weight of this responsibility and how it influences the way engineers should approach their work and their role in society.
💡One Young World Summit
The One Young World Summit is a global conference where young leaders from various sectors and countries gather to discuss, debate, and share ideas on pressing issues. The summit aims to empower and inspire these individuals to make a positive impact on the world. In the video, the speaker's attendance at this summit serves as a turning point, reinforcing their belief in the importance of diversity, inclusion, and open-mindedness in engineering and society at large.
💡Silos
Silos in the context of the video refer to the separation or isolation of different professional fields or areas of expertise, which can lead to a lack of communication and collaboration between them. The speaker argues against this mentality, advocating for a more integrated approach where engineers and other professionals work together to share ideas and solve problems collectively.
💡Innovation
Innovation is the process of introducing new ideas, methods, or products to improve upon existing ones or to create something original. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the need for innovation in engineering, not just in terms of technical solutions but also in the way engineers engage with society and contribute to broader discussions.
💡Professional Development
Professional development refers to the process of acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experiences that contribute to one's career growth and advancement. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of engineers broadening their skill set beyond technical expertise to include communication, leadership, and the ability to work collaboratively with others.
💡Communication Skills
Communication skills are the abilities to effectively convey information, ideas, and emotions to others through speaking, writing, and non-verbal cues. In the video, the speaker argues that engineers need to improve their communication skills to better articulate their ideas and to engage with society beyond their technical work.
💡Educational Reform
Educational reform involves the process of making significant changes to the education system to improve its effectiveness and better serve the needs of learners. In the video, the speaker suggests that universities should update their assessment methods to value not just academic performance but also practical implementation skills, reflecting a need for educational reform in engineering education.
💡Sustainability
Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is about finding a balance between economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection. In the video, the speaker's passion for engineering is tied to their belief in creating solutions that are sustainable and durable, highlighting the role of engineers in contributing to a sustainable future.
Highlights

The speaker started civil engineering at Imperial and found it enriching.

The speaker trusts that they and their peers will be capable of designing safe bridges after graduation.

The speaker's experience in the lecture theater 201 was initially driven by the prospect of continuous learning.

The speaker felt out of place and unhappy at university, despite feeling prepared for engineering.

The speaker's international school education in Paris fostered a diverse interest in various topics.

The speaker joined many clubs at university, which led to realization that their approach was considered unusual by peers.

The speaker questioned their multifaceted interests in the face of the serious responsibility of engineering.

The speaker attended the One Young World summit in Pittsburgh, which reignited their passion for diverse interests.

The speaker was inspired by President Clinton's speech at the summit and the collective thinking of the attendees.

The speaker believes engineers should be passionate about people, the environment, and sustainable solutions.

Society should be more welcoming to engineers and break down the silos that isolate them.

Engineers need to be more open, approachable, and willing to take responsibility for their ideas.

The speaker's department at Imperial supported their participation in the One Young World summit.

Companies are recognizing the value of graduates with diverse interests and skills beyond academic ability.

The way engineers are trained should change to include practical implementation skills.

Engineering is an essential profession that sustains civilization, and there's a call to break down the silos.

Transcripts

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