In the past, General Motors has voiced its support of education with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and has even gone as far to donate a total of $2.9 million to different schools across the country to help further develop curriculum with a focus on STEM. These are areas of learning which apply directly to the many engineering jobs within GM, including Chief Vehicle Engineer Anita Burke’s, who recently gave the public a peek inside her job during a chat with National Public Radio.
GM’s Fastlane blog sat down with Burke after her interview with NPR and inquired about her role at the company and how her STEM-focused education helped her along the path that brought her to where she is today.
Burke says the most important thing she learned in school that helped her in her career was the basic fundamentals of engineering, all of which combine math, science and technology.
“Everyone at one point in time did the eye roll as we were taught about basic principles that often worked with assumptions of elements as ‘massless & frictionless,’”Burke said. “How could these simple principles be applied in the real world? At the end of the day, the foundation of my everyday work is based on and grows from the basic engineering fundamentals. It all starts there.”
Burke also reveals what a typical day in the life of a GM engineer is like, how she got on the path to becoming an engineer and what misconceptions some people may have about the job (it’s not boring, like many might assume). Read the full interview with Fastlane here.
Comments
You want a job and that degree to be worthwhile? Opt with STEM majors. You want to work at Starbucks or be a bank teller, grab that Lib Arts BA for 4 years
To be fair, there is nothing wrong with an arts degree as civilization will forever need to study itself. It’s also good padding if a student is furthering their education in STEM, med, arch, or law majors.
But an arts degree alone is only worth something if you get a teaching position; if only there wasn’t hundreds of others applicants who’d fight you tooth and nail for the position ;).
well said
The fact is Trade skills may not be a bad move anymore if chosen wisely.
I know many people with Masters making a good living but my Father In-law made more a very good high demand welder.
It is not so important as what education you have but it is important what career you choose and how well you preform it.
Too many get BA degrees and waste away at a bank.
STEM education has numerous supports. As of late, individuals have solid pushed for STEM education on the grounds that many people feel America is by and large abandoned, particularly inward city ranges. Right now, there is a major push of awards and grants pushing for understudies to push for STEM education. Now is Vehicle Chief Engineer Anita Burke talking on it?