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Engineers beyond engineering -- the art of being an engineer: Philippe Rival at TEDxImperialCollege
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Engineers beyond engineering -- the art of being an engineer: Philippe Rival at TEDxImperialCollege

My Journey in Civil Engineering

Introduction to the Experience

  • The speaker reflects on their three-year journey studying civil engineering at Imperial, expressing excitement about the responsibility of designing safe structures upon graduation.
  • They emphasize a continuous learning curve and the thrill of acquiring new knowledge daily, which has been a driving force throughout their studies.

Challenges Faced

  • The speaker shares feelings of being out of place and unhappy at university, despite believing they were meant for engineering.
  • Coming from an international school background, they felt comfortable in diverse environments but struggled to adapt to university life where peers had different priorities.

Social Dynamics and Realizations

  • Initially excited by university clubs and activities, the speaker later realized that many peers did not share their enthusiasm for engaging in multiple interests.
  • A peer's comment about them being "weird" for pursuing various activities highlighted a disconnect between their values and those of fellow students.

Reflection on Responsibilities

  • The speaker grapples with the notion that engineers have significant responsibilities; mistakes can lead to severe consequences unlike other professions.
  • This realization led them to question whether focusing solely on technical skills was necessary given the weight of their future role as an engineer.

Turning Point: One Young World Summit

  • After hitting a low point, a phone call from their father introduced them to the One Young World summit in Pittsburgh, which gathered young leaders from around the globe.
  • Attending this summit became a pivotal moment; it reignited their passion by connecting them with innovative thinkers and inspiring speakers.

Memorable Experiences at the Summit

  • The speaker describes meeting 1,300 creative individuals at the summit who shared similar passions and ambitions.
  • A highlight was President Clinton's unexpected appearance during his opening address, leaving a lasting impression on the speaker.

The Importance of Engineering Communication

Inspiration from the Debate Summit

  • The speaker felt encouraged and inspired by a diverse group at the Model UN summit, sharing a common vision for collaboration across backgrounds.
  • Despite being an engineer, the speaker noted they did not meet any other engineers at the summit, highlighting a disconnect between engineering and broader societal engagement.

Rethinking Engineering Identity

  • The speaker emphasizes that being an engineer is about passion for people and sustainability rather than just academic grades.
  • There is a perception that engineers operate in isolation, focusing solely on technical tasks without engaging with society or sharing ideas.

Breaking Down Silos

  • The current view of engineering as isolated silos (engineering vs. marketing vs. economics) limits communication and collaboration.
  • The speaker advocates for breaking down these silos to foster better interaction among professionals from different fields.

Signs of Change in Engineering Culture

  • After attending the summit, the speaker successfully advocated for their department to send more delegates to future events, indicating a shift towards greater openness in engineering.
  • Companies are beginning to recognize this change as they seek graduates who possess both technical skills and collaborative abilities.

Evolving Education for Engineers

  • Engineers need to be more open and responsible for promoting their ideas beyond their immediate circles; innovation should reach wider audiences.
  • Society must actively include engineers in various discussions, recognizing their creativity and potential contributions outside traditional roles.

Addressing Educational Gaps

  • Universities often prioritize academic performance over practical implementation skills; this needs reevaluation to prepare engineers effectively.
  • As job markets evolve, companies are looking beyond grades to find candidates with unique profiles that include extracurricular involvement or innovative thinking.

By addressing these key areas—communication within engineering, breaking down professional silos, fostering inclusivity in education—the speaker believes significant progress can be made toward integrating engineers into broader societal conversations.

Video description

There needs to be a new way of considering the engineering profession. Philippe is an engineering student at Imperial College, and believes there is a real need for engineers to actively participate in global debates, and to develop the ability to communicate the innovations they produce. This new way of thinking comes in the context of a world with increasing demand for local-scale engineering and solutions that can be applied everywhere. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)