Engineering

I-Search Research
Brianna Hawley

This research project was based of the broad topic of Engineering, and the differences between
it and similar fields of work such as Architecture and Interior Design.
 What I Already Know/What I Wanted to Know

After years of growing up watching my dad take on new construction projects, and seeing

two of my sisters pursue a career in engineering, I knew it would be fascinating to conduct

further research in the field of engineering. Near the beginning of ninth grade I was almost

certain that my future would hold a career in Architecture. After conducting my research,

working with architect Richard Poole on my 10th grade symposium project, and shadowing my

sister at Clark Construction, I have concluded that the career I am most interested in pursuing

would be in Engineering.

When I originally started this ISearch paper, I tried to find a topic that not only was I

interested in, but that would help me in my near future. Although college is still two years away,

it is always good to be ahead of the curve. As I have stated before, engineering and fields of

work similar to it, have always sparked my interest. With that in mind, I decided to dig more

into those careers and tried to see if one might truly be worth pursuing. In order to determine a

field of work that might interest me in college, I had to discover more information about the

various fields of engineering, not just base my decision on facts that my sisters have shared with

me. I also needed to determine the differences between fields such as Architecture, Interior

Design, and Engineering in order to fully comprehend which relates to the subjects I'm most

interested in.

Engineering is not only intriguing to me on a personal level, but it is also globally

important. Engineers work tirelessly to improve living conditions of less privileged individuals,

as well as respond to complex issues such as disaster recovery. Due to the diversity presented

within the field, many different social issues are able to be aided by engineers. For example,

Biomedical engineers design medical devices for diagnosis and therapy. Civil engineers build
facilities for the ever-expanding economy. As one can see, it is not only of personal interest to

research engineering, but also the importance of it on a global scale.

Before starting my research, I had to uncover what I had already learned about the topic.

Previously, I based my symposium on engineering specifically contained within the company of

Clark Construction, in which my sister is currently employed under. I got a tour of the whole

workspace, met multiple engineers, estimators, and other workers, and a site tour of the newly

constructed building called Squash on Fire. This symposium truly sparked my interest in the

field of engineering and allowed me to attain a better understanding of what engineers do in the

real world. I also interviewed Richard Poole, an architect in Virginia Beach, who provided me

with a background in the various forms of work in which he has taken part in throughout his

career. I used my experiences as background knowledge when forming my research questions,

and later this I-Search.

I also formed my research questions based on the information I already knew and what I

wanted to learn in order to become more familiar with not only engineering, but the differences

between it and other fields of work. I started with a broad question to get my research in a state

of flow, and then developed questions that provided me with more of a background and a deeper

understanding of each of the topics. My research questions were as follows: What are the

different types of engineering? What does each field of engineering do in terms of work? What

engineers are more frequently needed based on our current economy? What are the main

differences between architects, interior designers, and engineers? How is Mathematics

incorporated into the field of engineering? These questions allowed me to broaden my

knowledge in the field of engineering, the many different subjects contained within it, and the

differences between it and other careers dealing with the construction form of business.
 The Story of my Search

My research took about three to four weeks to complete. Most of my research was done

online, with an exception to the two interviews in which I conducted after my research was

complete. The beginnings of my I-Search started with the symposium project I did earlier this

year. During my symposium I had the amazing opportunity to shadow my sister, Shanna, during

a day of work at Clark Construction. Shanna graduated from UVA with a degree in Civil

Engineering. She currently works as an estimator for Clark Construction, but is hopefully going

to get to work at actual construction sites in the near future. While touring the building, I was

able to attain an understanding of what she does as a Civil engineer in the work field. The

estimating/bidding process is really complicated to explain, so I will leave you with the fact that

I was able to successfully complete a mock bid based on the many things I had learned during

the visit.

Not only was I able to tour the actual office building of Clark Construction, but also was

able to tour a construction site in progress. The construction site I was able to look at is called

Squash on Fire, located in Washington D.C. This building consists of a fire house, squash courts,

and apartments all in one edifice. With this background of getting to view a construction site and

office of a construction company, I became certain I would want to research even more about

construction companies and engineering in general in the future.

During symposium I also interviewed Richard Poole, an architect currently working in

Virginia Beach with years of experience in the field. Mr. Poole graciously accepted an interview

with me, and provided me with a multitude of information pertaining to architecture. Our

meeting consisted of questions relating to the type of work architects do in the field, and what

types of courses he took to get to the successful state in which he is in currently. Instead of
bothering Mr. Poole again with questions he had previously answered about Architecture, I

decided to use the previous interview towards this I-Search.

For my I-Search I decided to utilize the interview with Mr. Poole and have two new

interviews with persons in different fields of engineering. The two other people I interviewed

were Shanna Hawley and Cassandra Hawley. Despite their busy schedules, I was fortunate

enough to complete the interviews after conducting my research. Cassandra Hawley is a

mechanical engineer working as an Automated Weight and Balance Officer in the United States

Coast Guard. As previously stated, Shanna Hawley is a Civil Engineer working for Clark

Construction as an estimator.

Before my interviews were conducted, I wanted to have a basis for what I was going to

be speaking about, and so I decided to complete the research prior to the interviews. During the

first few days I spent researching I discovered various websites pertaining to engineering, but

they didnt necessarily capture what I was searching for. They provided a strong base for the

beginning of my research but I definitely needed to keep looking for more scholarly and citable

sources. After coming across various other websites during my research, I discovered a specific

one that provided a lot of the information needed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics website

provided me with specific details about each of the different types of engineering. I was able to

access the main fields in which I was semi-interested in, and was also able to understand the

various differences between them.

Most of the websites used were formatted in an easily understandable way, allowing me

to discover information needed for my topic of engineering, architecture, and interior design.

The websites go into detailed descriptions about not only what each field of work does, but also

the pay and types of projects in which those careers individually work on. My blog allowed me
to present my discoveries about the various fields of work in an organized manner by

chronologically ordering my citations. This will help me in the near future when I am reflecting

on my past experiences to decide on a new symposium project idea as well as potentially a senior

research project.

Near the time when I was researching for credible websites for my final two questions, I

came across websites providing information about the different courses one must take before

becoming an engineer. Attaining a deeper understanding of the background one must have in

specific courses will deeply influence my future class choice decisions and paths of study.

After my research and blog posts were finally completed, I went back to make sure the

citations were neatly organized and that all necessary information was included in my responses.

Having an organized blog will allow any reflections I make on past projects easier to access and

understand. The writing of this I-Search and blog posts will influence my future studies and

projects in a beneficial manner.

The Search Results

To start off my research I decided to simply define the many diverse fields of engineering

in which I hope to get a better understanding for. The broad over all topic of engineering is

defined as a branch of science and technology relating to the design and building of a structure.

There are thousands of types of engineers dispersed worldwide, but for the limited research time

provided I decided to choose the most commonly known types to further research. Structural

engineering is a branch of civil engineering that pertains to modern buildings and the safety of

structures based on tensions displayed during the construction process. Civil engineering relates

to an engineer who not only designs, but also maintains roads, bridges, dams, and other

structures similar to those. Mechanical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with
the design and construction of machines using analysis and computer-aided design. Architectural

engineering deals with the construction of edifices. Electrical engineering relates to the

technology of electricity, more specifically, the application of circuity for power generation.

Environmental engineering is the application of engineering principles to improve and maintain

the environment for the protection of human health. Less commonly known, building engineers

apply engineering principles and technology to building design and construction. Construction

engineers deal with the planning and construction of infrastructures such as roads, tunnels,
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airports, facilities, and other projects. As one can see, there is a variety of fields in engineering

that all entail specific jobs within their individual work field.

After attaining a basic understanding of each of the different fields of engineering in

which I wanted to more specifically research, I began to decipher what exactly each does in

terms of work that makes them different from each other. My second blog post was a more

detailed description of each of the fields of engineering, with an addition of a few mentioned in

my interview that I went back and completed further research on. Structural engineers are the

guardians of public safety, ensuring that buildings and other structures can withstand the strains

of nature. They are the key part of the construction team, working with architects to create and

maintain all kinds of structures. The majority of them work primarily as consultants or as

design-build contractors. It is the architects job to design a building layout, and then the

structural engineers responsibility to calculate the loads of nature, and decide on specific
1, 2
structural systems to use.

Civil engineers analyze long range plans, survey reports and other data statistics in order

to create projects. They take into account construction costs, government regulations, and

environmental hazards in the planning of the projects. They submit permit applications to local,
state, and federal agencies, verifying that projects comply with regulations. Civil engineers

perform soil testing to determine strength of foundations in which structures are planned to be

built upon. They test building materials for use in particular projects and provide cost estimates

for the materials, equipment, and labor to conclude a projects feasibility. By using design

software, they are able to design transportation systems, as well as hydraulic systems in line with

government standards. They then present their findings to the public or agencies on topics such
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as bid proposal or environmental impact statements.

Mechanical engineers analyze problems to see how mechanical devices may assist to

solve a particular problem. They design devices and systems by using analysis and computer-

aided design programs. They develop and test prototypes of devices they design, and analyze

test results to determine whether more changes need to be made. Their main job is to oversee the
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manufacturing process of a device.

Architectural engineers focus on a multitude of areas including lighting, heating, cooling,

ventilation, and fire protection. Unlike architects that typically incorporate aesthetic layout

concerns, architectural engineers focus more on structure and stability. As an architectural

engineer, one works with architects to make sure the plan is structurally feasible by applying

engineering methods. One must be familiar with both electrical and mechanical systems as well

as the impact of natural forces. A large part of the job of an architectural engineer is to ensure
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the building remains functional and safe.

Environmental engineers review and update environmental investigation reports. They

design projects that lead to environmental protection. For example, water reclamation facilities,

air pollution control systems, and operations that convert waste to energy. They provide

technical support for environmental remediation projects and for legal actions. Analyzing
scientific data is also a job presented within the field. They inspect industrial and urban facilities
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in order to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Building engineers, also referred to as construction engineers, are responsible for the

operation and maintenance of all the different systems in a complex. Supervision of all

mechanical systems that control water, heating, cooling, and air quality is one of the primary

duties for this position. Care of the grounds adjacent to a building is also required.

Communication with the occupants and numerous workers and suppliers is also necessary.

Building engineers are typically in healthy working condition and may be required to be on call
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24 hours a day, and seven days a week.

Industrial engineers work with many different specialists, like material scientists and

marketers to create new products. When beginning a project, industrial designers may start with

a client meeting in which they advise the product planning team on how existing products can be

improved and introduced. They also work with characteristics that will give the sales team an

edge in the marketplace. The designers may sketch several different design ideas and present

these options to the client. The client then decides what ideas are to be pursued, and the

industrial designers go to work creating computer renderings with CAD programs and graphic

design software programs. The client decides on the final product design, and the project moves
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to the engineering department for the construction process.

Mining engineers in evaluate plans and the construction of a mine. A mining engineer

will be involved in a project through all the phases of mining operations from exploration

through feasibility studies, mine design, development of plans, scheduling, operation, and even

marketing. They are still involved at the mine closure stages including final land restoration and
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reintegration.
 Another added field of engineering, biomedical engineers are employed in hospitals,

research facilities of educational and medical institutions, teaching, and government regulatory

agencies. They often serve a coordinating function, using their background in both engineering

and medical fields. In industry, they may create designs where an understanding of living

systems and of technology is essential. They can be involved in performance testing of proposed

products. Government positions often involve product testing and safety, as well as establishing

safety standards for inventions. In the hospital, the biomedical engineer may provide advice on

the selection of medical equipment, as well as supervising its performance testing. They also

build customized devices for special health care or research needs. In research institutions,

biomedical engineers supervise laboratories, and direct research activities in collaboration with

other researchers with such backgrounds as medicine, physiology, and nursing. Some
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biomedical engineers are technical advisers for marketing departments of companies.

Based on what I discovered when researching the different fields of engineering, I

became curious about which was most commonly employed based on our current economy. Not

only did I search for results of this idea, I also included the question in each of my interviews to

try and see whether engineers employed in different fields of work would have a different view

on the subject. The results I came across were the fact that the United States as a whole has

approximately 1.6 million engineering jobs that pay on average $42.00 per hour in median

wages. Civil engineers account for the most jobs of any engineering field with a staggering

number of 275,000 people in 2014. Closely behind are mechanical engineers with 264,000 and

industrial engineers with 229,000 in 2014. These three fields of engineering jobs, plus electrical
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engineers make up about of the American Engineering workforce.
 Engineering job growth from 2010 to 2014 has been in the double digits in four main

occupations: petroleum engineers (30%), mining and geological engineers (12%), biomedical

engineers (10%), and industrial engineers (10%). Every engineering occupation has added jobs,

the most coming among mechanical engineers with 21,500 new jobs since the year 2010. As a
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whole, engineering jobs have grown 7%. Based on these statistics, the most commonly

employed engineer is a Civil engineer, but the field of engineering that has experienced the most

growth within the past few years is a Petroleum engineer. On another website, the highest

projected increase in employment rates for engineers was in the field of Biomedical and
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Environmental engineering.

The next few blog posts in which I constructed were mainly based on the differences

between the overall field of engineering being compared to similar fields of work including

architecture and interior design. All three of these fields are definitely options for future career

or study opportunities, and this research has provided me with information that I may apply

when determining the right profession or project for me.

Engineers focus on many areas including lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation,

sustainability, and fire protection. Unlike architects that typically incorporate aesthetic and

layout concerns, engineers focus more on structure stability and safety. Before explaining more

differences between the fields of work, a basic understanding of the jobs may provide for an

easier comprehension. Architecture is the complex designed structure of a building or edifice.

Interior design is the art of designing the interior decoration of a room or building in order to

display an appealing look to a specific client. And as described before, engineering is the branch

of science and technology concerned with the design and building of a structure or machine.
 Architects typically use a more creative approach to designing buildings and other

structures. They are the artist, visionary, and theoretical designer. Their concern is for the

aesthetics: form, atmosphere, and character. While they need to adhere to the principles of

mathematics and scientific methodologies within their drawings, it is the engineer that translates

an architects vision into practical application.

Engineers use a more scientific and systematic approach to structural design. They are

mathematic and scientific experts in their respective field. Typically, they use an architects

blueprints as the basis of their work. Their job is to make the vision happen, using sound

scientific and mathematical principles. When an architect is given a job, he or she will work

within their budget constraints to develop a design; an engineer considers the budget, but their

objective is to create a safe structure.

An interior designer bids on new projects and determines the clients goals and

requirements for the specific project. They consider how the space will be used and how people

will move through it. They sketch preliminary design plans, including electrical and partition

layouts. They specify materials and furnishings, such as lighting, furniture, wall finishes,

flooring, and plumbing fixtures. They create a timeline for the interior design project and

estimate project costs. They then place orders for materials and oversee the installation of the

design elements. Finally, they conduct the construction administration of the project and

coordinate with general building contractors to implement the plans and specifications to build

the project. After the project has been completed, the interior designer visits the site to ensure
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client satisfaction.

My research then continued back more specifically onto the subject of engineering. I had

one more question to be discovered and it took me quite a while to determine which would most
efficiently apply not only to my topic, but also help me in the future. This is how I decided to

research how my favorite subject in school related to a possible future career study. I wanted to

discover how mathematics is incorporated and implied in the field of engineering.

When researching I discovered a website that listed the basic courses of math needed in

order to become an engineer; College Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus I and II,

Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and Statistics. Then I continued on to see how

mathematics was actually utilized within the work field. There are three key reasons why

mathematics is important for engineers. The Laws of Nature are mathematical expressions. In

order for engineers, more specifically environmental, structural, and civil engineers, to be able to

safely determine loads of nature on the construction of new edifices, they must be able to solve

mathematical expressions based on the loads. The Laws of Nature can also be more specifically

applied to mechanical engineers when determining flight factors for things such as aircrafts

traveling over long distances. Mathematics is more than tool for solving problems; mathematics

courses can develop intellectual maturity. Having intellectual maturity is essential for a

multitude of engineers. Engineers must make decisions based on previously acquired

information and may not always base their decisions off mathematics, but rather logistic reasons

as well. Computers do not make traditional mathematical analysis obsolete. First, computer

programs contain mathematical relations. Second, debugging computer programs is a difficult

art. One of the best ways to validate a program is to compare the computer simulation to the

analytical solution for the same situation. Knowledge of traditional mathematical analysis is

essential for this method of validating computer programs. Great increases in both speed and

accuracy can be obtained by using analytical solutions for parts of the problem, or by careful
14
development of appropriate algorithms.
 As you can see, a vast majority of information from my I-Search was conducted via

research into the respective fields of work, but not all of it was attained in this manner. As I have

previously stated, I conducted two interviews with civil and mechanical engineers in order to

attain an even deeper understanding of the different fields of work.

The first interview was conducted with a civil engineer currently working for Clark

Construction. I asked Shanna how civil engineering was incorporated into what she does now as

an estimator and her response was as follows. She currently coordinates with subcontractors that

deal with steel and concrete. When bidding a job there are multiple sets of drawings including;

civil drawings (site work), landscape, utilities, gas line, waterline, sewer line, architectural,

structural, concrete, foundation, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Civil engineers check the

drawing provided in the projects to make sure everything is safely planned and will be

functional. Having a background in engineering allows her to understand how the system or

construction project will work. She told me that one time an architect wanted to install granite

on the walls of a building, but logically there isnt a material strong enough to withstand that

type of feature. The interview continued with a question relating to who she thought the most

needed and most abundant engineer was based on our current economy. From her experience in

the field of engineering Shanna believes the most abundant engineer is a mechanical engineer

because of the vast majority of projects in which they work on. She informed me that the most

needed type of engineer is a civil engineer in order to create new and faster forms of

transportation, as well as a petroleum engineer in order to manufacture alternate forms of energy.

Another question I asked Shanna was how math is specifically incorporated into engineering.

She explained how the amount math used in the job of an engineer is based on what field they

are in. As a civil engineer working as an estimator, she uses logic based on previously acquired
information to make decisions. Although she isnt currently using mathematical equations in her

job, she had to go through a vast number of courses relating to math in order to become an
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engineer before entering the work field.

My second interview was conducted with a mechanical engineer working as a Automated

Weight and Balance Officer in the United States Coast Guard. Cassandra utilizes her knowledge

of mechanical engineering when conducting pre-flight aircraft system checks and when assisting

in the comprehension of multiple aircraft system operations. She believes the most abundant

form of engineering is civil engineering, which is true based on prior research. She believes

mechanical engineering is the most needed because they can deal with a variety of subjects

within both the medical and automobile manufacturing systems/industries. In specifically

mechanical engineering, math is utilized in various ways. Cassandra uses it in fuel calculations

for helicopters. She must factor in weight, balance, wind speed/direction, and distance when

determining how much fuel is needed in a flight. This turns into a mathematical equation that

must be solved in order to provide assistance to search and rescue or other emergencies assisted

by the Coast Guard. As one can see, having done hours of research and interviewing different

engineers has provided me with a deeper comprehension of the work engineers do in our current
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economy.

My Growth as a Researcher/Reflection

The amount of knowledge provided to me throughout the research of this I-Search paper

is incredible and I can only imagine how much it will benefit me in the future when choosing a

specific career to study in college. I based the inquiry of my research on the fact that

engineering has always been a personal interest of mine. Not only have I attained a vast

knowledge of the topic of engineering, but have also grown as a researcher. I have discovered
new ways to easily organize my thoughts in a chronological order that will make them easier to

access when reflecting on this project. Keeping up with a blog may have been a bit of a

challenge during my research, but has turned out as a huge help when writing this I-Search.

Now that I have learned how to properly conduct research with the help of multiple teachers and

advisers, I have no doubt that I will keep improving as I move on to later projects presented to

me such as symposium, senior research project, and even in college. Additional research besides

working towards my senior research project can be conducted based on future inquiry. My

project can serve as a basis for future student scientific research based on how different types of

engineering assist the growth of the economy and different social issues contained within it.

Future researchers can contact similar workers in the varying fields such as construction

companies or professors. During my symposium I was fortunately able to contact engineers

employed in Clark Construction Company, allowing me to attain a better understanding of the

topic. If I were to continue to research the topic of engineering in the future, I would most likely

contact other construction companies or engineers in order to get more insight. My writing skills

will continuously improve as more research is conducted, but still have shown growth from the

first research projects I conducted in freshman year to now. In the future, I need to make sure to

keep up with blog due dates, and have descriptive information contained within them in order to

have an easier time writing essays based on my findings. With the help of classes provided by

our very own librarians at Ocean Lakes, I was able to accurately cite websites and determine

whether they were worth utilizing or not. Although this project was based on our own interests,

mine as engineering, I will be able to use the skills acquired from this project to conduct future

research in fields that may be new and unusual to me.

Works Cited
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https://www.istructe.org/education-and-careers/how-to-become-a-structural-engineer

2) Structural Engineers Association of Ohio - Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved June 4, 2017, from

http://www.bing.com/cr?

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4&v=1&r=http%3a%2f%2fseaoo.org%2findex.php&p=DevEx,5063.1

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%2fmobile%2fcivil-engineers.htm&p=DevEx,5064.1

4) Mechanical Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017,

from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mobile/mechanical-

engineers.htm

5) (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

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ucation_Requirements.html

6) Environmental Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017,

from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mobile/environmental-

engineers.htm
7) Kayo, M., & Barwick, S. (2017, May 19). What Does a Building Engineer Do? Retrieved June

04, 2017, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-building-engineer-do.htm

8) https://www.forbes.com/sites/emsi/2014/09/12/the-most-in-demand-and-oldest-engineering-

jobs/#5c7d2779

9) Biomedical Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

http://biomedical.cua.edu/overview/whatdo.cfm

10) (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

http://study.com/what_does_an_industrial_designer_do.html

11) (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

http://learn.org/articles/Architectural_Engineer_Career_Definition_Job_Outlook_and_Ed

ucation_Requirements.html

12) What Is The Difference Between Architecture And Civil Engineering? (n.d.). Retrieved June

04, 2017, from http://www.careerigniter.com/questions/what-is-the-difference-between-

architecture-and-civil-engineering/

13) Interior Designers : Occupational Outlook Handbook. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/mobile/interior-designers.htm

14) Mechanical Engineer. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from http://weusemath.org/?

career=mechanical-engineer

15) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Employment

outlook for engineering occupations to 2024 on the Internet at

 https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2016/employment-outlook-for-engineering-occupations-to-

2024.htm (visited June 04, 2017).

16) Hawley, Shanna. Interview. 5/27/16

17) Hawley, Cassandra. Interview. 5/29/16