***Editor’s Note: The “I Became An Engineer” blog runs every friday. To share your story email jennifer.delaosa@advantagemedia.com***
This week’s story is brought to us by reader Dieter Will.
I was 16 when I first decided I wanted to become an engineer. At high school, I had a keen interest in math and physics, so it was a natural progression for me to pursue a career that matched these skills.
Laser technology and telecommunications sparked my initial passion. As an aspiring young engineer, I wanted to work in research for one of the world’s top telecommunication companies, which is an ambition I’ve managed to realize.
As my experience within the industry has developed, my ambitions have continued to grow. My biggest career achievement is probably helping to increase ADVA Optical Networking’s turnover towards EUR 500 million. It was a target set by our CEO, Brian Protiva, back in the early days of the company. In 2015, we reached EUR 441.9 million. Through the hard work of many of my colleagues, we may get even closer to the half billion mark.
If I could help shape the future in one way it would be to make engineers better educated in business. This would give more of them the skills and confidence to start their own company, turning technology into innovation to create profitability, and in turn creating prosperity and new jobs.
If I hadn’t been successful in becoming an engineer I think I would have become a carpenter. Running my own shop and being my own CTO would certainly appeal.
My advice to young people thinking about a career in the industry would be to consider that engineering is the foundation of turning visions into business that will design and build the future. It’s a hugely rewarding career and each day brings with it excitement and accomplishment.
Read other stories, here:
- A Note From The Editor: An Engineer’s Story
- I Became An Engineer: Because Of A Lunch Box
- I Became An Engineer: Because of Christmas Lights
- I Became An Engineer: Because Of The Cool Jackets
- I Became An Engineer: Because My Dad Said Not To
- I Became An Engineer: Despite Being Bad At Math
- I Became An Engineer: Because of Uncle Chet
- I Became An Engineer: Because I Can’t Stop Asking ‘Why?’
- I Became An Engineer: Because of Star Trek (Specifically Montgomery Scott)
- I Became An Engineer: Because I Was A Really Lucky Nerd
- I Became An Engineer: But ‘Nobody Knows’ Why
- I Became An Engineer: Because of Nuclear Submarines
- I Became An Engineer: Because of a Sewing Machine
- I Became An Engineer: Because No One Was Hiring Shoe Salesmen
- I Became An Engineer: Because of Mr. Kenny, the TV/Radio Repair Man
- I Became An Engineer: Because of a Book (And My Mom)
- I Became An Engineer: Because of a Cattle Ranch
- I Became An Engineer: Because of a Wise Father and the Possibility of Death
- I Became An Engineer: Because of An Evil Mastermind
- I Became An Engineer: To Get Off the Tractor
- I Became An Engineer: Because of My Rodeo Coach