Tuesday, April 15, 2008

"Well I made a difference to that one."

My ideal job is to be an engineer in the alternative energy industry attempting to find a renewable energy source that can be produced cleanly and efficiently for our entire nation. It is becoming increasingly clear that fossil fuels cannot be relied on to fulfill our nation’s energy needs much longer. Eventually fossil fuels will run out and we’ll need a new source of reliable energy. The field that intrigues me is geothermal energy, which is collecting heat from the earth and making it useful.

The stereotypical “American Dream” is to make money in order to raise a family and live comfortably. Being middle class with 2.3 kids and a dog is what many people see as the American Dream. While I certainly would like to accomplish that, and being an engineer will likely do that, there is more to my American Dream than living in the suburbs and raising a family.

My American Dream is to use my skills in order to help as many people as much as I can. I believe that any work that I do in alternative energy would be tremendously beneficial to our nation and also the entire world. I have always liked serving my community and finding a new source of energy would be a great way for me to do that. I could join the military to serve, but I feel like I have the skills to help the nation in a completely different way. If I can help engineer a better way to provide energy, I will have done more good than I ever could’ve done serving in the military.

To me, the American Dream is accomplishing the most good possible with the abilities I have, and prosperity is just icing on the cake.

5 comments:

American Studies 100 said...

First, good title/picture. Good to hear there is another like-minded engineer out there that hopes to help others with their skills. I wish you good luck in working to find more renewable sources and working to get Congress to implement them. Also, good luck with the 2.3 kids.

Nadia said...

Colin,
I am so glad to hear that you want to fix the problems of the environment/economy now for a better life for mankind in the future. Cheesy, but I mean I feel like it's not a top priority for many people. Do you believe that people just don't think its worth it to try to solve any problems for the future because it's "far away?"

Charlie Rubenstein said...

Colin,

Thank you for your post and for eventually making the world a better, cleaner, more efficient and peaceful place to live. It is both refreshing and reassuring to hear someone say that they are devoting themselves and their work to the betterment of our society. Our future depends on people like yourself. If we (meaning you and all your smarter-than-the-rest-of-us friends) don't get it together and create a better way to power and fuel the world then we (meaning all of us) are screwed. If a true worldwide energy crisis ever erupted, there is no telling the amount and levels of anarchy that would ensue. In many ways it would serve as the demise, whether literally or theoretically, of our entire civilization. We have created a vast array of things that need power and we must find a way to make them work without killing our world or killing each other. I think you're just the man for the job, Colin. Thanks in advance for saving my ass and the asses of my future progeny. And you are right. You will be rewarded handsomely for your good deeds.

Samantha said...

I think it's great that you've put helping the environment over the importance of being financially well-off. A lot of people are definitely more concerned with their own personal gain and it's refreshing to see a new perspective.

HBui1 said...

Recycling is a simple task that many people can do though they don't because they can't see beyong the needs of themselves. I commend you for being open minded and forseeing the possible problems of the future and having the passion to want to make a difference(and for probably recycling too).

What exactly is 2.3 kids?