Jennifer Claussen is an electrical engineering working in Florida, U.S. A graduate of Purdue University, she joined Bechtel in 2017.
What was your first exposure with engineering?
I come from a family of electrical and computer engineers but didn’t know too much about the profession growing up. I decided to choose engineering on my own at the end of high school after taking classes such as calculus, physics, and architecture. I knew I wanted to be a part of building, design, and problem solving.
What’s the coolest part of your job?
One of the coolest parts about my job is knowing the big picture of these projects will impact people’s lives, progress, and leave a legacy – whether it be for energy, transportation, government, environment, space, etc. It’s exciting to know that you are a part of something much bigger.
It’s 2042 – how has the profession reimagined the possible?
I imagine we will be tackling similar worldly issues like infrastructure, power and energy consumption, transportation, communications, etc., but will be equipped with much more virtual accessibility. I think we’ve been able to see the start of this progress through the past couple of years.
What makes you proud to be an engineer?
I am proud to be an engineer for many reasons. It’s a challenging position that allows me to learn every day and better my skills. I’ve been a part of projects that are complex and that aim to make a difference. Knowing that I have made contributions to these projects is exciting, but I’m most proud of all that I’ve learned so far in my engineering experience.
Why should today’s students consider an engineering career?
Engineering is such a large career path with so many possibilities and plenty of room. There are so many fields and industries that you can be a part of. You will always be learning something new and bettering yourself. Engineering needs problem solvers, creative innovators, and those determined to conquer challenges to make some history.
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