Interview With a Professional Engineer, Interview Example

Introduction

For this project, the aim was to locate an engineer employed in the field of my major. The major stumbling block was finding an engineer to interview since they tend to be extremely busy people. However, I was fortunate enough to contact an old acquaintance, Ibrahim Aldousry, currently employed at Lockheed Martin as an electrical engineer. For some reason, I have always strived to become a professional engineer at Lockheed Martin; thus, the interview with Mr. Aldousry proved to be an excellent learning experience. Our initial meeting occurred at Mr. Aldousry’s home where we had a pleasant dinner. At this time, I took copious notes and recorded the interview. My goal was to obtain as much information as possible from Mr. Aldousry, especially concerning his career as a professional electrical engineer.

Alyaseen: I would like to thank you for taking the time to discuss the field of electrical engineering at Lockheed Martin.

Aldousry: You’re more than welcomed. I’m always open to help future engineers in any way possible.

Alyaseen: First of all, what is your official title at Lockheed Martin?

Aldousry: My current title is electrical test engineer.

Alyaseen: I recall discussing your career some years ago. But now, I would like to have a few more details. Are you satisfied with your position at Lockheed Martin?

Aldousry: Absolutely. Lockheed is one of the largest employers of its kind in the world and employs hundreds of test engineers. Although the work can be difficult, we strive to complete our projects on time or preferably ahead of schedule.

Alyaseen: What exactly is Lockheed Martin involved in?

Aldousry: As test engineers, we work predominantly in four areas–aerospace and defense, information technology, and space and emerging capabilities.

Alyaseen: What exactly do you mean by emerging capabilities?

Aldousry: Emerging capabilities refers to the technologies of the future related to renewable energy sources, energy management and storage, and the field of nanotechnology.

Alyaseen: Please relate exactly what you do at Lockheed Martin in the position of a test engineer.

Aldousry: Overall, I’m responsible for determining that all of our products achieve one hundred percent reliability which is achieved through various and complex testing procedures. We basically test all the products so that they function properly.

Alyaseen: Tell me about how you first became employed at Lockheed Martin.

Aldousry: After graduating from San JoseState, I applied to different companies and basically just waited for a response. After a month, I received a call from Lockheed for an interview. Something in my resume must have caught the attention of the human resource manager who did all of the hiring for Lockheed.

Alyaseen: As you know, my current studies are in electrical engineering, and as a student, I would appreciate some advice on which career path I should pursue related to my degree program.

Aldousry: To be honest, whichever career path you chose to follow is totally up to you. But I can provide some basic advice. First of all, become more fully involved with other engineering professionals and students, especially graduate students. Also, become more involved in clubs and related organizations dedicated to electrical engineering. But perhaps most importantly, try to obtain an internship which will fully immerse you in the world of professional engineering.

Alyaseen: Can you relate the most important aspect of being a professional engineer?

Aldousry:  Much like other professions, I believe that communication is vitally important for all engineers. After all, as a professional, one is expected to be able to communicate effectively with other engineers in order to express your ideas clearly. Also, paying close attention to even the smallest detail is of prime importance for an electrical engineer, due to the fact that every product must work properly.

Alyaseen: As a test engineer, are you often required to compose technical documents and other forms of written expression?

Aldousry: Every engineer must be proficient with technical writing, and in order to be an efficient engineer, one must possess the ability to utilize technical engineering terms and be able to express information in a clear and coherent manner. The best way to obtain this proficiency is to practice writing engineering reports which will help to improve your style and compositional skills.

Alyaseen: In your opinion, what is the most common difficulty that new engineers must contend with so as to advance their careers?

Aldousry:The most common difficulty is expressing technical information to an audience that lacks substantial knowledge on the field of engineering. For example, one might have to compose a report for a company manager or supervisor that does not possess a technical background. Therefore, being fully aware of the capabilities of your audience is a must for writing an effective technical document or report.

Alyaseen: What are the environmental policies at Lockheed Martin?

Aldousry: Lockheed Martin is dedicated to utilizing technology to help keep our environment safe and green. As proof of its dedication, Lockheed has created a number of programs aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions, conserving water, and reducing waste. There is also Lockheed’s Go Green Program which was created to help guarantee a better and more environmentally-friendly society. More information on this fascinating program is available at the official Lockheed Martin website.

Alyaseen: Does your current position ever deal with environmental issues?

Aldousry: As a test engineer in a laboratory, I’m not that involved. However, the safety of the environment is always on my mind.

Alyaseen: What is the major environmental concern in the electrical engineering industry?

Aldousry: The main concern at this time is reducing carbon dioxide emissions which can only be accomplished through testing and re-testing new ideas and concepts.

Alyaseen: Can you provide an example?

Aldousry: That would have to be Lockheed’s Commuter Alternative Program which was designed to substantially reduce the number of passenger vehicles currently in use. Other related programs includes StarShuttle, the Yellow Bike Program and Lockheed’s on-site fitness centers and employee cafeterias which helps to lower the amount of travel during the work week.

Alyaseen: I assume that Lockheed Martin has a code of ethics?

Aldousry: Yes, of course. As you know, Lockheed Martin is one of the world’s largest companies. Therefore, it is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and behavior. Also, Lockheed stresses honesty, integrity, and respecting the beliefs and traditions of others. Overall, Lockheed firmly believes that respect for colleagues, customers, partners, and stakeholders is the essential element for productive business relationships. Lockheed also stresses the importance of personal excellence in relation to one’s duties and responsibilities as an engineer.

Alyaseen: Have you ever encountered an ethical dilemma at Lockheed?

Aldousry: Personally, I have never had any problems associated with facing and solving an ethical dilemma on the job. This is because Lockheed does everything humanly possible to solve ethical problems before they become a major business concern.

Alyaseen: Finally, do you have any suggestions for future engineers?

Aldousry: Certainly, one must always strive to work hard and effectively and to accomplish the goals associated with one’s position. Regardless of how much education or talent a person might possess, hard work is what truly makes the difference.

Conclusion

In essence, conducting this interview with Mr. Aldousry proved to be extremely  interesting and enlightening. First of all, I came to understand the intricacies related to being a test engineer and how the various subject areas in the field of engineering are all intertwined. In addition, I was pleased to discover what Lockheed Martin is attempting to do in relation to keeping our planet safe and green. I also came to realize the importance and relevancy of the real-time workplace. But most of all, I found Mr. Aldousry’s advice for future engineers most challenging, especially related to hard work, effective communication, and paying attention to every possible detail which in the end could make all of the difference.