Jordan Ridgley, Field Engineer

How do you think engineers are making a difference in our world?

Engineers are the backbone of our world today. Almost every aspect of our daily lives have been touched by an engineer in some way; the car you travel to work in, the social media site you use on a daily basis, the soda you drink at lunch and the home you live in have all been influenced by an engineer in one form or another.

What interested you the most about becoming an engineer?

I have always enjoyed learning how things work and troubleshooting issues. That made mechanical engineering a no-brainer because that’s what we get to do on a daily basis.

What young people can do now to prepare themselves for a career in engineering?

To prepare yourself to become an engineer, get as many diverse experiences outside the classroom as possible. Math equations can always be taught and learned but being well rounded and having a basic understanding of how everyday items like a lawn mower or a water heater works will help once you start your career.

What was your path to becoming an engineer?

I took the ‘typical’ engineering path, 4-year B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering.