The perspectives, ideas, and concepts that I discussed and learned about during this course have had a profound impact on my identity as a chemical engineering student and will inform my work in my remaining co-op terms and full-time employment after graduation. When I began applying to different universities, I selected chemical engineering as my major because I had enjoyed the challenge of hands-on activities in “engineering” classes, which included participating in marshmallow-spaghetti construction competitions and building paper airplanes. I had also gotten good grades in math and chemistry, and since chemistry + engineering = chemical engineering, it seemed like a logical choice for my major. As it would turn out, I had no idea at the time what chemical engineering really is! Early on in my time at UC, I saw a lot of upperclassmen complete co-ops for oil & gas companies and a few even accept full-time positions in that industry. I’ve always been concerned about the environment, and knowing that these companies contribute to global warming, this was concerning: is this what chemical engineers do? Is this what I’ll do? At one point during my first fall semester, I saw another student wearing a shirt that read “AIChE is down to frack." Seeing the professional organization for my new major endorse fracking, something I knew was somehow bad for the environment, led me to believe that I had inadvertently signed up to help destroy the planet; that I had picked the “wrong” major and it was too late to turn back. Ultimately, completing my first few co-op rotations in chemical process engineering helped me to understand that despite my initial perspective, chemical engineering is not limited to the oil & gas industry and there is a significant opportunity for innovation that will assist the environment, even (especially!) for the chemical engineers that work in petroleum-based industries.

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          While most of my projects so far have been small-scale and limited in scope, I hope to incorporate sustainability and an environmental perspective in all of my work as an engineer moving forward. I will have that opportunity in my upcoming co-op this fall, where I will be working as a “process innovation” co-op. I will be part of a team that focuses on process intensification – a field that studies methods to drastically improve energy efficiency, safety, and reliance on fossil fuels in the process industries. In comparison to my previous co-op positions, this role will have sustainability and the environment as a central goal, rather than only a vague underlying concept. I hope to fulfil this role as a co-op in order to make a tangible contribution to my company’s environmental footprint, but this is also my goal for my full time career. Many chemical engineering students choose to work in oil & gas or other process industries because the opportunities are plentiful and the pay is good, but will this be the best application of my knowledge and efforts? Instead, should I pursue further education to research technologies that will help humanity attain a sustainable future, or engage in something else entirely? I have a challenging decision ahead, but in any case, this course has helped me solidify that I would like to apply my skills to work toward a more sustainable future for mankind.

       

          Outside of my work and career path looking forward, this course has given me the skills to discuss climate change and other environment related issues with my peers in a meaningful way. Until environmental education like this course becomes mainstream, it's up to individuals like us to educate those around us on why thinking about the environment is important and how urgent of an issue it really is. Another takeaway from this course is that individual actions like recycling Coke cans, buying "sustainable" clothing, and even driving less don't carry much value unless everyone does them. While this can be disheartening, I think it of it more as a shift in perspective - instead of focusing my efforts on making my own individual actions more environmentally friendly so that I can feel better about myself, my effort may be better spent helping others understand the urgent reality of the energy crisis. This course has given me the knowledge to discuss the environment more meaningfully with my friends, family, and peers, and I think the ability to spread the word about what I've learned here will be the most important takeaway of all.

 

          As an example of my work in this course, I have selected this class picture that was taken on the last day of the semester. I believe that it is representative of this Honors Experience because it shows the diversity that defined our small classroom section – students from a variety of international backgrounds, majors, interests, and perspectives. This diversity contributed to a richer and more engaging discussion during the course, which allowed for greater growth as a global citizen scholar with a more full understanding of the challenges that our planet faces.