In August, I packed up and left Kansas for Houston, to begin my career as a drilling engineer for Occidental Petroleum. As a drilling engineer I do the same thing we all do; I solve problems. The types of problems I am in charge of are similar to a maze. I am given a map with two points marked and I have to decide the safest, fastest, and most economical way to connect those points. Don't worry, I am still fortunate enough to use my mechanical engineering background to calculate stresses, strains, torque, drag and strength of materials to determine if the well design is competent.
For my first topic, I would like to talk about earning your education while in college instead of focusing on acquiring your degree. I will never forget the words Dr. Maleskty said to me on my first trip to the school of engineering. While I sat in his office as a senior in high school with my mom at my side, he asked me why I wanted to be an engineer. My mind went blank and I'm sure my face did as well, because he smiled and said, “Brian, if you choose to come here to school I want you to realize that it will be you who is in charge of your education. You get to decide what you put into it and you get to decide what you get from it.” I had never thought about my education in this manner. I had always set my sights on the next assignment, the next grade and the next class.
During my college career it became clear Dr. Maleskty knew the value of a college education was not limited by the curriculum. The value of an education is expanded by the individual in pursuit of it. The same challenge holds true for each of you. I am hoping you have already spent time looking over your curriculum and started planning your time in college accordingly. As underclassmen, the long list of course titles alone may be scary, but what you are actually staring at is a guideline of minimums. You have the ability to change that curriculum, to make it more rewarding for your individual pursuits.
Commitments you make to participate in or to lead groups on campus as well as those beyond the view from Mount Oread are priceless pieces to fulfill your education. Each lecture you attend may offer as little as one phrase that opens your thought process to a new way to approach a problem. Even a small amount of time committed to community service with your peers may be far more rewarding than the hours you actually served. If you find yourself wishing for an opportunity that is not yet offered at KU, take the initiative to make it a reality. Then, when you sit down in front of potential employers, it will be the stories and lessons learned from these events in your education that you tell, not how difficult a thermodynamics test may have been. The rich experiences you earn from these events will separate you from other graduates around the country.
As a member of the SELF Program, you have the privilege to meet with some inspiring individuals who sat through the same lectures you may currently dread. You have professors willing to lead you to the answer of any questions you may pose. You have each other to grow and learn from and a group of alumni to teach. The school of engineering can be one of your greatest support systems if you learn to harness its power to enhance your education. When the frenzy of your senior year slows and you walk through the Campanile and down into Memorial Stadium, you will have acquired a degree, however, the greatest value to the next step in life will be due to the education you earned.
Rock Chalk