Michael Said:

Did you change your career goals?

We Answered:

From the time I was 15 years old I wanted to be a High School Band & Choir teacher.

I learned a ton of different instruments in Jr. High through High School (B flat clarinet, bass clarinet, alto clarinet, contrabass clarinet, A flat clarinet - I know, a lot of clarinets-, saxaphone, french horn, trumpet, oboe, basoon, flute, and piano.) I was in every musical I could get my hands on, often landing lead roles. I was a madrigal, and my senior year, head madrigal, I was in chamber choir, I did solo and ensemble....EVERYTHING to do with music I did.

I went the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and spent one semester in the program. EVERYTHING I had ever LOVED about music flew out the window. We had to pull notes from the air, sing a capella with no starting note, do hours and hours a day of piano music. While I expected this, I didn't expect to be so horrible at it. I struggled. What was the final cut is there was only one spot open in the music program when I auditioned that Spring, and I wound up not making the cut. I was devistated.

I spent a semester at a local tech school just taking general courses so I could decide what to do with my life. Then I sort of had a life changing event.

One night at work I was opening a gallon can of ketchup when the can opener slipped and I cut my left thumb clear to the bone. I severed the tendon, nerves and knicked an artery. I spent the next two weeks bawling 'cause of the impossibility of playing a single instrument.

Then I started therapy. Occupational Therapy. Upper body, hands, reconstruction of your life therapy. They gave me back my music.

I was hooked. I got an associates degree at Madison Area Technical College in two years (thanks to all those generals I had taken) and have been a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant.

I work with children who have autism, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, etc. I teach them how to write, how to get stronger, colors, numbers, how to use a fork, how to wash dishes, how to cook...how to dress....the list goes on and on.

Most wonderful moment of my life? Cutting my thumb. Why? 'Cause I wouldn't be where I am today...and I love where I am.

Duane Said:

Engineers, if you could start over from college and can change your career, what would it be?

We Answered:

In almost all aspects of life there is mechanical engineering involved.

For example...Thermodynamics and Kinematics are the fundamentals of mechanical engineering.

You can pursue these fields of mechanical engineering

Design
Automotive
Ship building
Petrochemical/Power plants
HVAC
Robotics
Aeronautics
Refrigeration
Manufacturing

Construction
Buildings
Processng plants


Etc.