Reflection
The Design Process
Working on this project really opened my eyes to what the Engineering Design process is actually like. I realized that engineering isn't about coming up with the perfect answer right away—it's about testing ideas, finding out what doesn't work, and making things better step by step. Going through all the phases—research, brainstorming, evaluating, and iterating—showed me just how structured and methodical you have to be to get real results.
Engineering Attributes
This course also helped me figure out what actually makes a good engineer. From what I've seen, the biggest things are curiosity, adaptability, being able to communicate clearly, and working well with others. You also have to be able to connect the technical stuff with real human and environmental needs, which was a huge part of how we designed our filtration system.
Societal Impact
Designing a solution for pharmaceutical wastewater made me realize the bigger responsibility engineers have. Our work directly impacts public health and the environment. Even on a student project like this, we had to make ethical decisions and think about sustainability and long-term effects. It really drove home the point that engineering isn't just technical—it's deeply connected to society.
Personal Growth
I learned a lot about myself through this project, too. I found out that I'm actually pretty good at analyzing problems, coming up with ideas, and refining them as we go. I really enjoy taking a messy, complex problem and turning it into a clear, workable design. But I also saw some areas where I need to improve, like my technical detailing and CAD skills. I'm planning to work on those by taking more courses and just getting more hands-on practice.
"Overall, this project really solidified my understanding of engineering and got me excited to keep building my skills so I can contribute to real, sustainable solutions in the future."