Asked by my Thermodynamics Professor to work for him!!!
 

I was in my Thermodynamics Professors office asking him about one of the homework problems due for Friday. He helped me out with what I needed and then he asked out of the blue if I would like to come work for him on his research project. I was blown away since this Professor is probably one of the most highly regarded Engineering Professors at UW. The project involves using a special engine to drive a device which none of his grad students have been able to get running correctly. He told preceded to tell me I was the only person he knew which could get it done and he would love to have me on board. "I would pay you of course!"

I was just in awe since this man is probably one of the smartest men I know and I have a great deal of respect for him. I am wanting to get into engine design once I graduate and I think I will learn tons form this guy. He was a head engineer at GM in the 80's and worked for Nissan and other engine design firms before moving back into academics.

I am totally pumped!!!

Speedy:)

Nice!!!!!!!!!!

I am assuming you jumped all over it.

I think I would be a moron if I didn't. It is one heck of an opportunity.

I was just shocked that he approached me on the issue. I would think it would be the other way around with having students left and right begging to work under him (I know a kid who did beg him).

Speedy:) <---- still happy as heck

Awesome! Congrats on the opportunity.

So, why did the grad students not get the thing running? Are they all idiots? ;) It seems there is little you can loose here with just an assistantship, unless you are about to sign up for becoming his grad student. I would be careful about that. I am always weary of jobs that nobody else could solve - especially if people with good credentials have failed. Assigments like that are hot seats ...

Good Luck,

George

YAY! my first gig in college was to work on a water purification plant that used a new low pressure osmosis system. i was an idiot, but it was damn easy money. i think the prof hired me, because i could drive a bobcat during the construction phase. congrats dude! first real entry for your resume! that is huge!

Hold out for more money and a few technicains of your own. Oh ya, you need an expense account and an assistant that has to be a female froshman communications major, perfect size 4 with ample oral experience.

Congrats!

Make sure that they have a "fluffer" to help you get started every day! :)

Thermo, those were the days! Droplet nucleation etc.... One test I got a 47/100 - that was the second highest in the class on the midterm:eek:

It's not called a Gererator, is it? (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/264860-does-anyone-want-free-gererator.html?highlight=gererator)


Seriously, though... congrats!

God I hated Thermo. Made Hydraulics look like Economics.

Thermo isn't bad. The problem with Thermo is that most engineering schools use it as a weed out course, so they purposely teach it poorly to see if the student will pull it together on their own.

My College use Dynamics (2nd 1/2, Sophmore year) to weed people out. The professor they used was Brutal! After some exams, he'd hand out a quarter to some kid and say "Call your mama. Tell her you're not going to be an engineer."

Exactly what it was at FSU.

Thermo = hell. Common score on our tests was in the 40s. Never been so happy to get a C in a class. Thank God I'm aerospace, and didn't have to suffer through thermo 2.

Congrats speedy! If nothing else, it's a great start on your resume. I was offered a job in a structures lab by my mechanics of materials teacher, I was also very flattered. The job sucked, as I quickly learned that the laid-back (i.e. lazy) environment of an academic establishment wasn't for me. Regardless, I learned some interesting things, and it helped me springboard to a "real job" with a local aircraft company.

Great news!

Congrats!

May I ask why you say there is little to lose unless I am about to sign up for becoming his grad student? Can you clarify?

I don't know a whole lot about the project or the credentials of the people working on the project. I am short on details right now but we are getting together after finals to discuss the project. I will know more about it then.

As far as the hot seat I don't mind it at all. I actually thrive when I am put under that type of pressure. A do or die type of situation is what I love. Where I worked before I had this same type of position and many many times I was able to make things happen even though many people tried and failed before me. I got to be pretty well known in our company because of this.

Thanks for all the congrats you guys. I am excited to iron out the details shortly.

Speedy:)

If you can spin a wrench, you probably have a big advantage over his grad students. There's a pretty big gap between theory and application for most engineering students.

aigel is a negative nelly, comes from living in SF.

Congrats, don't forget to maintain some semblance of a life, stuff like this can become sort of all consuming, especially if you like it, which apparently you do.

I have spun some big wrenches in my life and I am not afraid to get dirty. I think it is the application and hands on knowledge I have which he is interested in as well as the drive to excel. Although I am far from being the smartest thermodynamics dude in my class I have definetly met his challanges and even supprised him a couple of times.

Hmmm. maintaing a life? I need to remember this because I do love spending time with my wife and kids.

Speedy:)

I still think you need a lil co-ed to "sharpen your pencils and polish your wrenches" for you!

Congrats! Have fun. These are great times for you my boy. Enjoy every moment.