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

Summary

The speaker, a civil engineering student at Imperial, reflects on the challenges and growth experienced during their studies. Initially feeling out of place, they find inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose at the One Young World summit, realizing the importance of passion and creativity in engineering. They advocate for breaking down professional silos, encouraging engineers to be more open and communicative, and for universities and companies to value practical skills and diverse interests in their education and hiring processes.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker started civil engineering at Imperial College three years ago and found it enriching but also daunting, emphasizing the responsibility of designing safe structures.
• 📈 The speaker values the learning curve and the continuous acquisition of knowledge in the field of engineering, highlighting the importance of ongoing education.
• 🔍 Upon reflection, the speaker realized that the engineering journey has been harder than expected due to feelings of being out of place and unhappy, indicating personal growth challenges.
• 🌐 The speaker's background from an international school in Paris contributed to a diverse interest in various topics, which contrasted with the more focused approach of peers at the university.
• 🤝 The speaker's experience at the One Young World summit in Pittsburgh showed the importance of diverse perspectives and the need for engineers to be more open and communicative.
• 🗣️ The summit experience led to the realization that engineers should not be confined to a technical role but should be passionate about people and the environment, advocating for a broader view of engineering.
• 🏛️ Society's perception of engineers as being in isolated 'silos' needs to change, with engineers encouraged to share their ideas and work collaboratively.
• 🔧 The speaker calls for a change in how engineers are trained and assessed, focusing not just on academic ability but also on practical implementation skills.
• 👥 There is a need for better communication and collaboration among different professional fields, moving away from the siloed approach to a more integrated society.
• 🏆 The speaker's department's willingness to send a delegation to the One Young World summit next year signifies institutional recognition of the need for change and the value of diverse experiences.
• 💡 The importance of engineers taking responsibility for promoting their ideas and ensuring their knowledge reaches a wider audience, rather than relying solely on others to do so.

Q & A

What is the speaker's educational background and the main challenge they faced during their studies?

The speaker is a civil engineering student at Imperial College London, having started their studies three years prior to the speech. The main challenge they faced was feeling out of place and genuinely unhappy, despite engineering being their passion.

How does the speaker describe their experience at the One Young World summit?

The speaker describes the experience as incredible, meeting 1,300 creative, hardworking, and innovative individuals, and being inspired by great speakers, including President Clinton.

What realization did the speaker have after attending the One Young World summit?

The speaker realized that being an engineer is not just about having a technical base but also about being passionate about people, the environment, and bringing them together sustainably.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of engineering education and society's perception of engineers?

The speaker believes that society and engineering education need to change their approach. Engineers should be more open, communicative, and involved in societal issues, while society should welcome and include engineers in various aspects of life beyond their technical roles.

What was the speaker's experience like when they tried to integrate their interests from high school into university life?

The speaker found that their approach of joining many clubs and pursuing diverse interests, which was appreciated in high school, was met with skepticism and made them feel like a 'freak' in university.

How did the speaker's peers at university perceive their involvement in various activities?

The speaker's peers thought they were unusual for participating in so many activities, with some even suggesting that they were not a 'real' engineer and were wasting their time on non-academic pursuits.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of engineers being involved in societal discussions and projects?

The speaker strongly advocates for engineers to be more involved in societal discussions and projects, emphasizing the need to break down the silos and work collaboratively with others.

What changes does the speaker suggest for the engineering profession and the way engineers are trained?

The speaker suggests that engineers should be trained to be more open, approachable, and responsible for promoting their ideas. They also call for a change in societal perception to accept engineers in various roles beyond their technical expertise.

What impact did the speaker's experience at the One Young World summit have on their perspective as an engineer?

The summit significantly broadened the speaker's perspective, reinforcing their belief in the importance of engineers being passionate about people and the environment, and the need for engineers to be part of a larger, more integrated societal effort.

How does the speaker view the future of engineering and the role of engineers in society?

The speaker is optimistic about the future, noting that there is a growing recognition of the need for change both within the engineering profession and in society. They believe that engineers will increasingly be seen as valuable contributors to a wide range of societal issues.

What advice does the speaker give to the audience regarding their interactions with engineers?

The speaker advises the audience to include engineers in activities and discussions where they have not traditionally been involved, emphasizing the unique and valuable perspectives engineers can bring.