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

[speedracing944]

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

[stomachmonkey]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!

I am assuming you jumped all over it.

[speedracing944]

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

[HardDrive]

Awesome! Congrats on the opportunity.

[aigel]

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

[vash]

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!

[M.D. Holloway]

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.

[Joeaksa]

Congrats!

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

[artplumber]

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

[jeffgrant]

It's not called a Gererator, is it? (Does anyone want a free gererator?)


Seriously, though... congrats!

[TerryBPP]

God I hated Thermo. Made Hydraulics look like Economics.

[red-beard]

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."

[TerryBPP]

Originally Posted by red-beard

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.

[onewhippedpuppy]

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.

[legion]

Great news!

Congrats!

[speedracing944]

Originally Posted by aigel

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. Assignments like that are hot seats ...

Good Luck,

George

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

[onewhippedpuppy]

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.

[Tobra]

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.

[speedracing944]

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

[M.D. Holloway]

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.