2013 Issue

45 It was crunch time. People were scurrying about, trying to meet the deadline. But the process had been poorly defined, resulting in a logjam of people and equipment, creating uncertainty and frustration. T hat’s when my engineering training kicked in. “The problem is that the big piece needs to move first,” I said. “Then the chair and table can be brought in.” I made adjust- ments and assignments, and with a better process, flow improved. The situation might be familiar, but the set- ting might surprise you – it was a rehearsal of ByeByeBirdie, andwewere changing the set between scenes. I was part of the cast, but the scene change just wasn’t working. So I stepped in and helped solve the problem. That’s just one example of how engineers can make an impact outside of their field. And our communities need us to step up and make an impact. Why Engineers? Engineers have a unique way of looking at things. By training, and often by nature, we are problem-solvers. We are curious as to how things work and how things work together. We have experience in critical thinking and using natural laws to solve problems. We use these skills every day at our jobs. For most of us, that was the point of our train- ing – to help us to use our skills, abilities, and experience to earn a living. And that is good and necessary. But I’m also suggesting that there’s a wider need for those very skills. Bye Bye Birdie wasn’t my only acting experi- ence. I was recruited to be inDamn Yankees in 2007, because they needed guys who could sing. It was only then that I discovered that I love being on stage. So I keep going back for more. In the process, I’ve discovered that drama people are very different from engineers. They are very right-brained, usually extro- verted, often loud, and a lot of fun to be around. But I’ve found that an engineer can be an actor, though my approach is some- what different. I turnmy blocking (where I’m supposed to be and move on stage) into a series of x, y, z, t coordinates in my mind. Then I run the “program” that executes those coordinates. It’s very analytical, but it gets the job done. My involvement with acting led to a position on theBoardof Directors at a local theater, as well. There I found that my logical approach to problems was usually different and often needed in the discussions that we had. The skills that I had – both natural and learned – helpedme approach problems systemati- cally and look for solutions in logical ways. And I have found that my approach – which comes naturally to me, thanks to being an engineer – is often lacking in these situations. Beyond the Cubicle That’s why I think our communities need us to step away from our cubicles and become involved, in whatever way we feel interested. Imagine if more elected officials were en- gineers. Would there be fewer decisions based on hype and smoke, andmore based on data? I’d like to think so. What about community organizations around us – theaters, schools, service orga- nizations, churchorganizations?Most are run by volunteers, and it’s amazingwhat they ac- complish. But imagine if an engineer or two or five got involved. Imagine the problem solving they could accomplish. Imagine the streamlined processes, the improved flow. Imagine the improved efficiency. We have the training. Our communities have the needs. So, please, stand up, look around, and find something that interests you, away from the engineering field, then apply your skills and experience. They need your help. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go work on my lines… Mr. Haws is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a licensed Professional Engineer. He works for ATK Aerospace Group in Promontory, Utah and is currently serving as second past-chair for the Utah Section of ASME. He is also a part-time actor, most recently appearing in A Christmas Carol. Beyond the Cubicle Walls Tell me if this situation sounds familiar By Terry D. Haws, Jr, PE Figure 1 -- The author, right, as Harry the Horse in Guys & Dolls at Heritage Community Theater, Sept. 2011