Research, Research, and Planning More Research

Throughout this week I have really focused on my research for my topic. In the latter part of the week, I began to contemplate my original work that I will be doing this semester. At first I felt overwhelmed, because it seemed as though I was expected to complete an independent task regarding a subject that I have limited knowledge of. Looking at the requirements for the project I just became more overwhelmed as I struggled to wrap my head around the complexity of the assignment and the individuality it created. Normally, when projects are given, there are precise instructions with numerous details and exact dates of when each portion of the project should be completed so that the final work was turned in on time. I found myself drowning in this lack of structure in the original work presented.

I decided to do what I do best- break it down and figure out how to tackle each part. The first part was to come up with an idea for my original work. What was something that was going to keep me interested for an entire semester? What if I got halfway through and decided that I was not interested in the project anymore? I truly do not know in depth details regarding chemical engineering, so what if my project never made sense to me because I did not understand the concepts? With all of these thoughts swirling in my head, I did what I always do when I am overwhelmed. I thought about my horses. It was at this point that I decided I absolutely had to do something that connected my horses with chemical engineering.

I looked back over the topic proposal that I had submitted earlier in the week and reminded myself that I wanted to focus on material synthesis, fluids, and processes pertaining to chemical engineering. I came up with numerous ideas about different ways that I could help horses and the horse community with my passion for chemical engineering.

I am very excited to work out the issues of this project and really refine it to something that I can pursue, at least for this semester, and possibly the entire year. I think that by combining my love for my horses and my love for chemical engineering, this idea will keep me stimulated throughout this project. I know that I will find joy in completing the fifteen plus hours of long and tedious work because it is something that I am truly passionate about.

Since I was able to create this connection between the equine industry and engineering, I am going to try and find chemical engineers who work in the equine field. I already have a couple of companies in mind that I know employ chemical engineers so I am hoping to add some of these people to my contact list and possibly schedule interviews with them.

I know this project and subject are quite complex and will require extensive amounts of research but I believe I am up to the challenge. I have become so excited about the possibilities for this project and am looking forward to the ways I will grow over the next couple of months.