Dominique Green
Engineering has always been a way of think-
ing for me. I remember growing up com-
pletely fascinated by science, math, and with
TV programs like Mr. Wizard and the
many educational programs on PBS (Public
Broadcasting Station). It’s funny because I
was given an opportunity to work with PBS
on one of my many projects with Accenture ( my current
employer). One major up-close and personal chance to
pursue my passion as an engineer came when I entered
high school and was able to do more hands-on experi-
ments in programs like BEAMS (Becoming Enthusiastic
About Math and Science), sponsored by the Thomas
Jefferson National Laboratory (a Department of Energy-
sponsored research facility). While in that internship, I
was able to actually meet Secretary O’Leary, who served
one term under President Clinton. We took several pic-
tures, which still hang proudly at my mother’s home in
Newport News, VA. My excitement later turned into a
series of internships with Thomas Jefferson National Lab-
oratory, NASA, and the Newport News Shipbuilding,
which all collectively helped to solidify my commitment
to math, science, and engineering.
My biggest asset as a youth and until now has been
my excitement for math and science, which translated
into my academic acceleration. My decision to pursue
engineering was rooted in how well I did in science fair
and technology competitions, my ability to take college-
level courses in math and science while in high school,
and the real hands-on (life-changing) internships I pur-
sued and won, all before and during college.
The icing on the cake was that I was always
employed by engineering-technology companies, always
had internships in the field of engineering, and received
tons of scholarship money.
The biggest challenge I faced as a student was try-
ing to manage my time with studies and extra-curricu-
lar activities. There really wasn’t enough time for me to
excel in any outside activities the way I dreamed. As an
engineer, you really have to commit 100% of your aca-
demic regimen to learning a ton of information in a
short period of time. Looking back on my four-year
spurt in engineering, I wish that I could have done more
of the “stuff ” that turned me on to engineering, such as
joining two mechanical auto teams as opposed to one(I was a member of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team).
I wish I had the time to create another technology and
have it patented before graduating college. I had so many
ideas on paper that never came to fruition. Thankfully,
I took good notes when those ideas surfaced and now all
I need is the time once again to bring the ideas on paper
to life. It’s not a total wash because there is always grad-
uate school, which does provide the resources needed for
research to make ideas happen. The undergraduate cur-
riculum is such that most professors aren’t allowed to
offer students exciting experiments and projects because
they have to meet requirements for accreditation.
The thing I like most about engineering is that it’s
wide open. I can remember judging a technology future-
city competition some months ago, which included
middle and elementary students. Some of these ideas
were just amazing. Today, engineering is the backbone
of any technology or innovation. Engineering is the
track and the wheels needed to make ideas move. I like
its diversity because I’ve found myself speaking to
people with all sorts of accents, religion, and gender in
our attempt to solve complex problems by sharing our
knowledge base. In the engineering world, you’re
judged on your understanding, abilities, and knowl-
edge. It’s all about what you know and not who you
know that makes your career move. Engineering is
something you can’t fake when someone asks you to
explain the underlying principles of electromagnetic
fields and its role in the universe.
I still don’t think my most interesting project has
come yet. But it’s funny because all of the projects I’ve
enjoyed have been simple hands-on projects. I haven’t
been fortunate enough to do much hands-on engineer-
ing for the past couple of years. Most of my work has
been along the path of business process design oversight
and software implementation. My work with the
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (where automobiles use fuel
cells and have a bi-product of water) project was prob-
ably the most rewarding because it still has real-life
application. Of course, we can all look around today
and see how gas prices have affected our choice to look
for alternative energy sources. My excitement really is
for the future of the technology and in knowing that
my ideas may one day make their way to the show-room
floor of some car dealership or household.Professional Profile
409
Source:Courtesy of Dominique Green
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