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This experience has been important personally to me because it has really taught me to be confident in myself along with embracing my creativity. Also, my project has impacted my community in multiple ways, whether it is by reducing the risk of injury on natural trails, encouraging environmental sustainability through architecture, or showing that teenagers are still involved with local businesses and career exploration. Most importantly though, this project holistically challenges everyone involved to extend beyond their comfort zone and participate in new experiences. I found myself talking to people I have never talked to before, such as Fluvanna ACE Hardware, Better Living, and Setty & Associates. They found themselves participating in projects that might be similar to past experiences, but still unique in their own ways. Together we also learned that students are remaining involved in their community, which is why the Senior Capstone Project and the Blue Ridge Virginia Governor’s School program are important to local companies and students.
Fluvanna County's businesses and programs support community service opportunities for FCHS students
Note: from Fluvanna County Logo. Fluvanna County, https://www.fluvannacounty.org/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.
My internship has provided me with new experiences beneficial to my future career interests.
Through my internship, I learned how to be a proper engineer. I not only learned about systems engineering but I also learned about engineering as a whole. Some of the most important lessons Joe D’Alù taught me were how to find a job as an engineer, design the structure of a construction group, and decide the best college for my interests. Also, my internship influenced my research paper positively, helping me develop more complex questions and focus more holistically on building design and construction.
My research paper was a great experience, teaching me how to properly analyze problems and find solutions. It also helped me realize that in the world of engineering, while math always has the singular correct answer, there is no singular correct answer in engineering; The only definite answer in engineering is the wrong solution, but the correct solutions are often vague and numerous. Therefore, engineering focuses more on how efficient solutions are, compared to one another. In less abstract thinking though, my research paper also helped me realize that the environment is something that can be positively affected by architecture (or negatively). While this has implications for my future career, for now, I would like to pursue just the construction aspect of civil engineering.
Our world can be transformed if architecture focused on the integration of nature into construction and efficiency.
Note: from The Prakriti Story. “Use of Nature for Energy Efficiency.” The Prakriti Story, Prakriti Sustainable Building Services Private Limited, 9 Oct. 2021, https://theprakritistory.com/ten-materials-which-contribute-in-making-energy-efficient-buildings/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.
I plan on my community service project to have a lasting impact in the Woodlands for quite some time!
As for my community service project, this taught me how to break my comfort zone and it also helped reveal to me how willing local businesses are to aid students in projects. It was really comforting to see companies care and are willing to support their community, as the stigma towards companies today sees them as money-hungry and apathetic. Overall though, this project was really fun and helped me learn more about construction and woodworking, as well as cooperating with others.
One piece of advice I would have for future BRVGS seniors doing this project is to do your senior internship over the summer. It is REALLY important to focus on your research paper and community service project, as well as your internship because they all take significant focus and time, as well as the other classes you might be focusing on. Also, scheduling your community service and internship can be timely and challenging because you often have to work with others’ schedules. Another piece of advice, previously said in another one of my journals, is to work with your mentors; they can provide wise insight for your project and suggestions for quality improvement. It is also still important to take control of your project though, so do not be passive with their suggestions; rather, be active/proactive and make sure to make your project your own. One final piece of advice I would have for seniors is to remain organized. There are tons of files and documents that fly at you and you can create plenty yourself, so it is important to know where and how to access them. Overall, I feel that this project has confirmed my future career interests, but it has also expanded my goals for the future. I now know that I might want to look into a minor in architecture later in the future, but only if it is financially able and useful. On a final note, this project has developed me as a person and as a future engineer, and I hope this project will help others realize the beauty of exploring their interests.
Doing this project has helped me grow as a person and expand my social network.
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