Engineering can be found in any problem-solving process. Take origami, for
example. To create a paper sculpture, you must carefully plan each fold and
step. Then you have to fold exactly as you planned to get the desired
result. Before you know it, you’ve engineered a sculpture out of a flat
sheet of paper. Hobbies like this can spark a passion for engineering – and
can explain why students like Toby Pham ultimately landed on engineering.
The fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Royersford, Pennsylvania,
turned an early childhood love for origami into a passion for engineering
design when, in high school, he was introduced to CAD software. The design
program helped him realize that his love of problem solving could be
applied to a discipline with diverse opportunities: mechanical engineering.
Pham kept the diversity of his field in mind when he was choosing his
co-ops. Each job gave him a vastly different and wonderful experience. For
his first co-op, he worked at Adams Bickel Associates, a construction
management company. Pham said that the job set a strong foundation for the
rest of his co-op career.
“I’ve always believed that being in construction management as a first
co-op gave me an edge because of the experience I gained from my time on
site,” he said. “I learned so much about the basics of construction.”
From there, Pham tried his hand at an engineering consulting firm as a
junior mechanical engineer and gained experience in HVAC engineering and
design. When it came time to choose a third co-op, Pham knew that he wanted
to continue the theme of picking up new experiences. He found the chance at
Burns Engineering.
The environment at Burns helped Pham settle in and get to work quickly. “I
remember, during the interviews, being shown around the office and amazed
by the size of the place,” he stated. “Everyone is always ready to help
with anything or answer any questions.”
He joined Burns Engineering as a secondary designer and engineer, helping
with the workload of the senior designer and senior engineer in the
aviation department. So far, he’s worked on designing the air distribution
system for the Newark Airport’s new ConRAC facility, a parking garage
containing their rental car centers.
The co-op has given Pham a chance to put what he’s learned in his fluid
mechanics and thermodynamics courses to use.
"I do calculations to find out how much air is needed in each space,” he explained.
“Then I design the system in a 3D drafting software called Revit, which I
learned on the job.”
Pham said that the work experience has also allowed him to hone his soft
skills, including organization, memorization, and workplace communication.
“When I return to the classroom, I know I’ll be organized and memorize
better,” he said. Until he returns, though, he is excited to make the most
of the time he has left on co-op.
“There’s much more to learn and absorb,” he said. “But I enjoy the work I
do.”