Blog Talk Radio Interview - Social Media and Engineers

"Ivor talks to Glen Cooper - structural engineer - Avatar Engineering - 1 year old & using social media!
Glen shares his why & how he uses social media."

Listen to internet radio with LinkedLocalNetwork on Blog Talk Radio

Engine[er]

About me. Why am I in your face so much?

I have thought long about this section of my blog site. The chance for me to introduce myself properly and answer the following question - once and for all.

Why am I in your face so much? What's with that?

I do not consider myself overly complicated, nor do I have a particularly big ego to maintain... and finally; to compliment the open palmed, shrugging 'Columbo' type character which I present to you here... I'm pretty easy going too.

As with everyone - I do have my moments though.

I got into engineering quite late [well I think so]. After a stint in the RAF, some time in Art College and an interesting few years working in a factory sorting carrots and potatoes - a very good friend of mine pointed me towards a card in the local job centre window. "You could do that Glen", was the phrase he used.

Trainee design engineer wanted.

I applied, and got an interview. The other applicant didn't show, so I got the job by default.

The next 7 years flew by. Gradually, I moved up through a technicians role to a structural design engineer. I studied at college [winning the students  'structural design' award 2 years in a row during my HNC in Civil Engineering. Sponsored by a local engineering firm], and then university one day a week for the total of 8 years before graduating - by the skin of my teeth. I learned that I could apply myself when required, but I was not an academic by any stretch of the imagination. Although, some subjects I found very easy. Maths was a cinch [especially statistics] and obviously structural mechanics was my bread and butter subject - which I loved.

During my career, I have been very fortunate to almost always have a great mentor close-by, willing and ready to offer advice, and to remind me of what needs to be done. It is experiences like these which were the most formative for me. As a result, I have an insatiable desire to pass on this knowledge, and constantly look for cleverer ways for doing so - whilst keeping myself 'free' enough to create, engineer and enjoy my life.

The truth be told, I have looked so many gift horses in the mouth during my career - that one might be convinced that I have a real fear for success. This may have been true leading up to my decision to start my own business... but not today.

Today, and the future is what concerns me the most. Will we [can we] take charge of our own destiny? Is it possible to prosper in our industry by thinking differently, acting differently or just by simply taking more responsibility?

What I am asking is, are there opportunities for engineers to get personal? What are they?

Here is a list of Engineering Blog Sites which I frequent, it's not an exhaustive list - so if you are missed off, then drop me a message and I'll update it to include yours too. Just to be fair ;-)

http://anengineersaspect.blogspot.com/
http://conservengineer.blogspot.com/
https://constructionetc.wordpress.com/
http://sharpeneer.posterous.com/
http://engineerblogs.org/
http://salesaerobicsforengineersblog.com/
http://www.engineeringdaily.net/
http://change.mickla.se/#home
http://metamorphs.blogspot.com/
http://happypontist.blogspot.com/
http://a-step-forward.blogspot.com [new]

Well that's me. Please don't forget to take a [look] at the crowd funding project which we started to raise awareness for engineers. We only have 10 days left to find all the funds. Leave a comment, or a pledge if you want a pack of Top Trumps [style] playing cards.

Engine[er]
@cute_life