I am extremely proud of how dedicated have become with my senior topic, fire protection. A significant factor that I am most proud of in my presentation is how much time I talk, but most importantly when I was talking I presented new information professionally. In my entire senior project as a whole, I am over whelming ecstatic about the doors this project has opened for me. I am really interested in the field and now know more connects to help me achieve my goal of being part of fire protection work force.
(2) Questions to consider:
a. What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation? (self assessment)
I would give my self an AE because I was very prepared for my presentation in which my activity used actual fire protection blue prints, professional worksheets, and a quick share out to demonstrate knowledge acquired. I also presented for a long period of time in which I was not redundant of any topic and kept moving forward mentioning and explaining new information. I cited eleven sources ranging from books, articles, videos, mentor, and current works in the field. I brought several props such as every type of sprinkler head and pipe joint. I brought props so that the students could follow along much better because of the visual representation. Lastly I dressed professional and matching towards my topic which expresses a much more organized and professional tone.
b. What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? (self assessment)
I would award myself with an AE for my overall senior project because on how efficient I used my time to become a miniature professional regarding my spectrum of the field. I complete than the hours demanded and during the hours that I completed I gained serious knowledge in fire protection system designing from the fire protection engineers and the architects employed at Advanco Fire Protection in Ontario California. Once I learned a lot of foundation in the office I was moved to the back of the warehouse where I began to help the process of installation hands on, allowing me to expand my knowledge. Lastly I was able to go on maintenance calls with Jesus Vazquez and Art Vazquez where I would observe and help them record the systems performance. I had the privilege of having my mentor Rigoberto Vazquez Sr. with 34 years of fire protection experience, direct in the correct direction of research material but showing me books, websites, and articles he uses to stay up to date in the industry. By doing that I was reading articles a week old giving me an advantage with fresh material to use. I have also been receiving AE's through out my senior project components including the 30 minute presentation and the exit interview.
(3) What worked for you in your senior project?
What worked for my senior project was mentorship, mentorship fueled my senior project in every aspect. Going to Advanco Fire Protection is what helped me in my research, mentorship hours, growth of knowledge in the aspect of hands on, and actual trips into real system locations. I believe that mentorship is the most important aspect of the senior project, as well as how much effort the student puts into mentorship and in my case I gave it my all and then some.
(4) (What didn't work for you) If you had a time machine, what would you do differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?
What didn't work for me was research checks. Only the fact of being graded down when not completing a research check in class, when in the beginning of the year teachers stated that I is not good to finish research checks in class because that doesn't mean you have sufficient amount of information.This made me rushed speeding through my articles and books chapters because I did not want to get my grade docked. If I had a time machine the only thing I would change would be calling to Rigoberto Vazquez about research assistance early so that from the very beginning I could be taking in new and reliable material.
(5) Finding Value:
How has this senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?
This project has opened my eyes greatly because I had no interest in the field of fire protection even though most of my family are part of the industry. Through out mentorship I was able to get a great understanding of what this industry is about and how important it really is. Helping protection life and property is where I belong and I have created a plan for my future where I will attended Citrus College for two years graduating with my Associates general engineering, after that I will transfer to Cal Poly Pomona and graduate with my BA in civil engineering. This plan will allow me to be able to apply for positions of designing blue prints as an engineer. In conclusion I am more than thankful for this experience I would never find a passionate field I could be interested in.
