In the 1967 movie “The Graduate,” the character played by Dustin Hoffman has just graduated from college and his parents are throwing a big celebration party. The question he is asked many times by his parent’s friends is “What do you plan to do now that you have graduated?” One of his parents’ friends comes up to Dustin’s character and whispers in his ear one word, “Plastics.”
Not a very exciting career choice at the time, but as it turns out, the world of “plastics” did explode and has resulted in countless products and provided successful careers for millions of people in all sorts of professions including engineering.
It’s been over 50 years since this movie made its mark on a whole generation. In a recent ASME article, five fields that are expected to dominate the foreseeable future are highlighted: robotics, space, living tissues, drones, and atmospheric water harvesting. While all of these areas have been evolving over a number of years, it is predicted that each will play a much more significant role in all our lives.
And being a part of the innovative advances that must take place in these fields as well as most other fields, engineers with cross-functional skills will be needed. The ability to effectively collaborate with people of different technical and cultural backgrounds will also be critical.
I invite you to read this very thought provoking article and think about what you would say to someone who just graduated and asked you what you would suggest they do with their life. The answer for some of those who just graduated may still be “Plastics.” – Dr. Tom
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