Electrical Engineers – Flashlights and Spin Art Machines

1. Electrical Engineers – Flashlights and Spin Art Machines Lynn Nicholson BS Electrical Engineering AT&T

2. Agenda – 40 Minutes • Introduce yourself – 2 min • Introduce AT&T – 1 min • Connect to the topic – 15 min DEMO • Other applications & activities – 1 min • Questions & Answers – 20

3. Introduce yourself & AT&T Lynn Nicholson, Electrical Engineer, AT&T • Thanks for inviting me today! • I am an electrical engineer working at AT&T. • I am responsible for assuring the quality of our electronic equipment for our internet and Video services (Uverse and DTV). • I work with the suppliers who provide the electronic equipment (Gateways and Set Top Boxes) measuring and improving quality of those products. • I interface with the engineers at our suppliers, marketing and sales and purchasing people. • I love to learn new things and solve problems. AT&T • AT&T is a Telecommunications, Technology and Entertainment Company. Founded in 1885. • Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone in 1876. • We now also have entertainment with Warner Media. HBO, Turner and Warner Brothers.

4. Circuit – Battery and LED LED (Light Emitting Diode) + + Battery Light - - - • Electricity • Voltage = V (volts) • Current = I (Amps) • Resistance = R (Ohms) • Voltage = Current times Resistance • V= IR

5. Key Questions • We are a STEM school and we are studying electrical circuits and electrical energy. Students have the option of creating flashlights, spin art machines, or wiring "campers.“ Key Questions • What is electrical engineering? Applying the principles of electricity for the benefit of people. • Using the principles of electricity Electrical Engineers design, build and test electrical products. • What goes into making complex electrical circuits? • The circuits are made up of various electrical components which are designed to work together to create the desired product and functions. • How does your knowledge of electricity and circuits help you in your daily job? • In my daily job I am responsible for the quality of products which we buy from other companies. I use my job when working with those companies to determine why products don’t work as expected. • What obstacles make you job harder when designing a circuit for a product? • Sometimes the way the product is intended to work, doesn’t work out! The difference between theoretical and actual performance is usually the difference. The components used might not function as intended, or the design may have an error. There are always other factors that are unexpected, like temperature which might impact the product too. • How does your job require that you collaborate with other professionals? • It’s all about teamwork! I work with professionals who buy the products, sell the products, design and manufacture the products. • How do you test and evaluate the things you create? • A laboratory is used in which there are instruments to test the products. Also it is always important to have real customer try the products. • After the product is completed and being used by people, it is important to measure how well it performs. A key measurement is whether people return the product or not.

6. Questions and Answers • How much money do you make? (This is a common question but don’t feel like you have to answer this outright. An easy way to avoid any specifics is provide a range of income for your field or position.) • The average pay for an Electrical Engineer is $27.50 per hour. ($67,698) per year. • Why did you decide to pursue this career? • I love finding out how things work! I love building things. I use to take apart TVs and Radios to see how they work. • Did you have any role models or influencers in your life that helped make the decision? • My high school math teacher was very supportive and helped me find a school. • What kind of team do you work on and what is your role on the team? • I work in Supply Chain. I work with many different people – other engineers, purchasing people, sales and marketing, customer service. • What was your academic path to getting into a STEM job or research area? • I studied science and math in high school. Then I went to Missouri University of Science and Technology , Rolla, Missouri and majored in Electrical Engineering. I worked as a coop student, working every other semester starting after my freshman year. I worked at Xerox Corp in an engineering test lab. • What skills do new graduates need to have to pursue jobs in your area of expertise? • Quality and reliability engineering knowledge is needed. This is an whole another field of engineering in which the challenge is how to design products that last a long time and do not break. • What are some challenges you face and how do you overcome them? • There are always new technologies that are developed and have to be understood. I spend about an hour per day reading about new technologies. • I also continue to take formal courses and short seminars. • What options are open for you moving forward in your career with your background? • I have spent my career working on high volume electronic products. There are now many other areas including biomedical which have job opportunities which match my knowledge and skills.

7. Expected Outcomes • Expected Outcomes • What obstacles make you job harder when designing a circuit for a product? • Understanding how each of the parts (components) work. • A part might not work as it is intended, for example if a battery is suppose to put out 9 volts, it may be a little higher or lower than 9 volts. • How does your job require that you collaborate with other professionals? • Yes always. I work with other engineers, marketing and sales people, purchasing and planning people and many other. I even work with lawyers. • How do you test and evaluate the things you create? • A laboratory is used in which there are instruments to test the products. Also it is always important to have real customer try the products. • After the product is completed and being used by people, it is important to measure how well it performs. A key measurement is whether people return the product or not. • What is electrical engineering? • Using the principles of electricity Electrical Engineers design, build and test electrical products. • What goes into making complex electrical circuits? • Sometimes the way the product is intended to work, doesn’t work out! The difference between theoretical and actual performance is usually the difference. The components used might not function as intended, or the design may have an error. There are always other factors that are unexpected, like temperature which might impact the product too. • How does your knowledge of electricity and circuits help you in your daily job? • In my daily job I am responsible for the quality of products which we buy from other companies. I use my job when working with those companies to determine why products don’t work as expected.