Wei Chen
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I received my BS, MS, and phD degrees in mechanical engineering. I grew up in China and finished my BS degree there before I came to US for graduate degrees about 25 years ago. Both of my parents are engineers, and I am influenced by them to pursue engineering. I am currently a professor in mechanical engineering and teach engineering design.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am a professor in mechanical engineering. I teach design courses and also work on research projects with 15 graduate students, mostly are PhD student.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
My research involves the use of mathematical techniques to solve engineering design problems. It is a combination of both math and practical engineering design applications. I use what I learned all the time in both teaching and research.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
I haven’t experienced major discrimination in my career. On the contrary, there are many unique opportunities that only female faculty can be qualified. Occasionally, I do feel the students sometimes are doubtful about female faculty’s ability in teaching engineering, in particular when hands-on and practical topics are involved.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job is that as an educator, I am able to disseminate my knowledge to others and empower young people by teaching them how to do research. Doing research is the most exciting part of my job, on the other hand, there is a lot of pressure of writing winning proposals to get more funding to support my graduate student, which is the worst part of my job. I also need to work extended hours, day and night, to keep up with the demand of my job.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Faculty career provides a lot of flexibility in arranging the daily schedule, which allows me to take care of my family needs when needed. On the other hand, faculty often have to spend their leisure time on working, therefore there is no clear distinction between work and personal life.
7. What do you define success as?
Research has a large impact (e.g., citations, industry use, etc.), good mentor to students, leader in the technical community.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Do what you like to do and enjoy your work.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My PhD advisor has a big influence on my career. He encouraged me to consider academic career and have faith in myself.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
The best advice I received is from my PhD advisor, which is “have faith in yourself” – you never know how much you can accomplish unless you give a try.
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I received my BS, MS, and phD degrees in mechanical engineering. I grew up in China and finished my BS degree there before I came to US for graduate degrees about 25 years ago. Both of my parents are engineers, and I am influenced by them to pursue engineering. I am currently a professor in mechanical engineering and teach engineering design.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am a professor in mechanical engineering. I teach design courses and also work on research projects with 15 graduate students, mostly are PhD student.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
My research involves the use of mathematical techniques to solve engineering design problems. It is a combination of both math and practical engineering design applications. I use what I learned all the time in both teaching and research.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
I haven’t experienced major discrimination in my career. On the contrary, there are many unique opportunities that only female faculty can be qualified. Occasionally, I do feel the students sometimes are doubtful about female faculty’s ability in teaching engineering, in particular when hands-on and practical topics are involved.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job is that as an educator, I am able to disseminate my knowledge to others and empower young people by teaching them how to do research. Doing research is the most exciting part of my job, on the other hand, there is a lot of pressure of writing winning proposals to get more funding to support my graduate student, which is the worst part of my job. I also need to work extended hours, day and night, to keep up with the demand of my job.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Faculty career provides a lot of flexibility in arranging the daily schedule, which allows me to take care of my family needs when needed. On the other hand, faculty often have to spend their leisure time on working, therefore there is no clear distinction between work and personal life.
7. What do you define success as?
Research has a large impact (e.g., citations, industry use, etc.), good mentor to students, leader in the technical community.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Do what you like to do and enjoy your work.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My PhD advisor has a big influence on my career. He encouraged me to consider academic career and have faith in myself.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
The best advice I received is from my PhD advisor, which is “have faith in yourself” – you never know how much you can accomplish unless you give a try.
Learn More