Professional Self-Assessment Report – Purpose and …



Professional Self-Assessment Report

ECE 480 - Fall 2008

Eric Tarkleson

Table of Contents

Course and Learning objectives……. pg. 3

Technical papers…………………….pg. 5

Career Plans…………………………pg. 6

Appendix…………………………… pg. 8

Resume………………………….....pg. 8

Professional Self-Assessment Report

How have I satisfied the learning objectives in this course and contributed to team and course outcomes?

Preparing an engineering design proposal

My team wrote a clear and concise paper that outlined the issues involved in implementing a solar powered internetted multi-seated computer system. We used this proposal as we continued work on our project. I helped to write and format this paper and I feel it is an accurate, professional document that helped me to realize the goals of this project.

Sharing in the day-to-day design activities and management of the project

My team excelled at working together towards completion of this project. I helped to manage the ordering of equipment and components and also helped to organize the piecing together of the many different aspects of the project. When necessary I arranged meetings and helped the other team members with problems they were having.

Sharing in the presentation of oral and written reports

My team and I were successful in our presentations. We all had prior experience in front of crowds and we were comfortable sharing our thoughts with the rest of the class. A week before the presentation either Jakub or I would split up the objectives for us all to work on. Then a few days before the presentation one of us would volunteer to format the presentation and compile it so that everything flowed well. For written reports we used the same process and also allowed time for us to make a final pass-through of the papers.

Sharing in the demonstration of results at key milestones during the project

I feel that our project went through several key phases during the semester. After we accomplished a milestone we would discuss what the next step was. Meeting together, in person, helped us to communicate effectively. We often had different feelings about certain aspects of the project but our sharing and demonstration helped us to come up with the best solution for our project.

Describe various reasons for using technical communication

I have improved my technical communication skills this semester greatly. My technical writing has improved both because of learning in class and also because of the large amount of practice that I got. I also got to read a large amount of technical writing which gave me a better idea of how good technical writing looks.

Comprehend appropriate content and style of oral presentations

I feel that my team and I have a good idea of appropriate content and style needed for a good oral presentation. Our feedback forms told us this was so.

Access relevant standards and interpret their meaning and application

There is much research online concerning applications for solar power. I had to spend much time reading the standards that have been developed for solar power and I needed to understand how these applied to our project.

Describe and understand the overall engineering design process

I have a very good understanding of the engineering design process. Much of what I know I learned in previous projects in AEE and with my work in the Turbomachinery lab. ECE 480 has helped to cement these practices and has shown me how invaluable the design process is.

Understand the benefits and potential problems of teaming

Working in teams always presents unique issues that need to be overcome. However, a good team is always more effective than a single person. My team and I worked very well together this semester. We didn’t always agree but we have good communication skills so we were able to work through problems without leaving someone out.

Use the web to find information about electrical and computer engineering

I believe all Electrical Engineers have a good knowledge of how to search databases for information. I also have learned how to better separate knowledge from fiction and hearsay. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet especially in hobbyist circles. Also much information is given without being sourced properly, so it is up to me, the reader, to be able to decide if information is real and trustworthy.

What have I learned about the design process from my work on the design project.

The task of this team was to design a solar powered multi-seat computer system for deployment into rural schools. This included researching what technologies are currently available to provide the most efficient and cost effective method of running multiple computer terminals from a solar system. This task itself is a serious engineering challenge and it turns out that sourcing components for such a system in under-developed areas is also a big challenge.

I have been in charge of many different aspects of this project. I have spent much time acquiring the parts needed from different suppliers. I have also helped with decisions regarding our power management system. I also designed the PCB board for the power management system.

Since I am a hands on person I have built most of the current sensing boxes that we are using. I have made many decisions concerning casing and wiring options. I have built several small temperature sensors that will monitor case temperatures and if the case gets to hot the system will shut itself down.

What technical communications have I done this semester?

I have been involved in all technical papers and presentations we are required to do for ECE 480. These include but are not limited too…

Pre-proposal

Proposal

DFSS assignments

Technical Lecture

Application note

Design Issues Paper

What is the impact of this course on my career objectives and professional goals?

This course has helped me to realize that I want to continue to be involved in hands on projects and design work. I do not want to be a technical sales man. It has also helped me to cement my plans for grad school by helping me realize that I really want to learn more about electrical engineering before I go out into the real world.

What are my primary strengths and weaknesses?

My biggest weakness is that I am a shy person. Also I tend to procrastinate. However I have learned to be a good leader and this has helped me to overcome my shyness. I am also very dedicated and strong willed. While I may not excel as much as some as far as grades I am very good in lab courses. I have excellent soldering skills as well, and can easily go between a schematic, protoboard, to pcb. I also am getting better at separating functional blocks in a circuit and figuring out how exactly they work.

Where would I like to be professionally five years after graduation?

I will probably be finished with grad school and either working for an audio company or starting my own company.

What lifelong-learning steps must I plan to undertake in order to achieve this five-year professional goal?

I need to learn more about business to compete in the marketplace with my own company. I am sure that I can succeed and I need to keep this attitude. I feel that personal engineering projects will help me get an idea for the kinds of products I will create. I want to go to grad school and this will help with these plans as well. It will be important for me to stay on top of current engineering trends as well as software and other learning and design tools. I know I can be successful.

 

Eric Tarkleson

1617 East Grand River, East Lansing MI, 48823

Tel: 1-810-845-1800 Email: tarkleso@msu.edu

Objective: I am seeking a challenging full time position that relates to my major of Electrical Engineering, while fulfilling my desire to work in the audio industry.

Education: Michigan State University: East Lansing Mi USA (GPA: 2.97 / 4.00) Aug/04 - present

Senior in the college of Electrical Engineering. Will graduate in May/09.

Experience: Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers: President of student organization at MSU. Aug/06 - present

Focuses on hands on approach to learning the technical details of audio. One of the

newest, fastest growing student organizations at MSU.

MSU Dept of Electrical Engineering: ECE 203 laboratory instructor Aug/07 - present

Oversee 2 lab sections/semester, write and proctor quizzes, answer student questions.

MSU Dept of Mechanical Engineering: Turbo machinery research laboratory May/08 - present

Working on various projects including woven wheel compressor building and testing,

pressure shockwave testing and wave rotor test rig.

MSU Dept of Housing: Night receptionist level 3 supervisor Aug/04 - Aug/08

In charge of safety and security at the Brody residence halls between the hours of

11:30pm and 7:00am. Train new hires and supervisors.

MSU Dept of Electrical Engineering: ECE 201 Grader Jan/07 - May/07

Graded homework papers and helped proctor exams for over 40 students.

Fenton Lakes Building and Design: Carpenter/computer technician Jan/00 - Aug/06

Worked in all stages of construction from start to finish. In charge of building,

maintaining and updating office computers, web pages, and networks.

Technical Skills: Good knowledge of analog circuits and Pspice

Knowledge of the acoustics, design and construction of speaker cabinets

Knowledge of filter design and construction

Knowledge of Labview

Good at working with deadlines and teams

Good at working with different disciplines to realize a common goal

Activities and Awards: President of Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers

Recipient of Golden Capacitor award (AEE)

Member of IEEE

Member of AES (Audio Engineering Society)

Completed live sound production course at the Arc in Ann Arbor

Founded digital arts program at Lake Fenton High School

Recipient of $1000 Fenton township service club scholarship

Deans list at Michigan State University

Part of ROSES (Residential living Option for Science and Engineering Students)

Interests: Audio circuit design and construction

Speaker design and construction

Amplifier design

Live sound reinforcement

Music

Guitar

Tube electronics

Power machinery

References available upon request

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