Reflection Behind The Design Process

In this course, I learned how the Engineering Design process is built around the design process, prototyping, iteration, and most importantly  collaboration. Working on a environmental challenge like nutrient cycling in the Great Lakes has taught me that engineering is no easy task solutions are changed and shaped behind stakeholders, teamwork, and new perspectives. I learned to analyze complex problems, justify decisions based on evidence and to always keep an open mind.

Through this design project, I realized that the most important attributes  an engineer can have is adaptability, critical thinking, communication, and ethical responsibility. Engineers must balance technical feasibility with societal impact, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability. This project helped me understand how engineering decisions must be carefully thought of and always should ensure the safety of civilians and the environment.

My work in the project, along with collaboration in other courses, strengthened my understanding of the engineer’s professional role in society. This role being to design responsibly, consider stakeholders, and create solutions that are safe, effective, and ethical. It also showed me how important it is for engineers to work alongside others and to respect the opinion of people whether it be your partners, indigenous communities, external influence, and even your own influence.

Through this course, I learned to solidify my personal strengths being discipline, problem solving, and the ability to commit fully to long-term goals. These strengths come partly from my background in bodybuilding, where consistency and discipline are essential. These qualities supported my engineering mindset and will benefit me in future projects.

I also identified areas for growth, such as improving my communication skills even more than I have, deepening my technical expertise on things like CAD, MATLAB, and Google Sheets. Becoming more comfortable with challenges in complex projects. I plan to continue building these skills through coursework, collaborative projects, and hands-on engineering experiences.