By skyforbes 
Sitting in the campus center, across the table from my academic advisor, our first meeting was about to start. I had many emotions running through me, including both excitement and nervousness. This was the beginning of my freshman year of college. I was just starting out on my journey to becoming an engineer. Little did I know, this meeting would have a profound impact on my college and professional life. She gave me the best advice I ever received as an engineering student when she started the meeting off by asking me a simple question, “What is your WHY?”
Before I could answer, she explained that every engineer she knew had a story. They had a specific reason for why they chose engineering. She was interested in learning my story.
I was a little thrown off by the thought provoking question because I was prepared to dive into my course choices for the semester. But, then I was excited to share with her my WHY.
I knew I wanted to be an engineer from the time I was a freshman in high school.
When I was in eighth grade, I fractured my spine playing basketball. Unfortunately, it took months of tests and x-rays to determine what was wrong with me. The doctors did not determine I had a stress fracture until the summer before I started high school.
I had to wear a plastic back brace that extended from my shoulder blades down to my tailbone. This brace had to be worn 24/7, for six months. I could only take it off to shower. The sad reality was even with that, it only had a 50% chance of healing. If it did not work, then I would need surgery to fuse my spine. Also, I would not be able to play sports again.
I wore the brace religiously and fortunately, my spine healed. Therefore, I did not need surgery. I was so lucky!
This experience had a major impact on my life. Not only did this show me what I could achieve with dedication, positive thinking, and perseverance, it also gave me my WHY for choosing engineering. This was deeper than just being good at math and science. The incident showed me my passion.
I’ll never forget going to get fitted for the brace and entering a massive room filled of every type of brace and prosthetic you could imagine. I was fascinated by everything. Looking around the room, I thought about the engineering that went into all of these different items. At that point, I knew I wanted to design devices that helped people, just like the brace helped me. This experience became my WHY.