On my first Engineers Without Borders (EWB) trip, our head advisor handed me a power tool and told me to build a sleigh. The sleigh would be crucial in ensuring the bridge (which we were building that blustery morning) could support the weight of a literal ton of rocks, and thus withstand pedestrian traffic.
Panicking slightly, I kindly informed him that I was an English major who didn’t even know what a sleigh was, let alone how to build one. Also, I didn’t know how to use a drill. Surely he could see the issue?
Instead of taking me off the project, he, even more kindly, steered me to a group of fellow novice bridge builders and gave us verbal instructions on how the sleigh should look (eight square feet of plywood planks drilled on top of each other and cross-hatched with support planks). Then he left.
We still didn’t know how to use the drill.
Unfortunately for the rest of the engineers, our lack of basic construction skills didn’t stop us from nailing together 1-foot by 5-foot plywood planks and causing general chaos. After spending two long hours on what should have been a 30-minute project, we had our sleigh. It was time to test it.
Gleefully, my crew and I watched the rest of the engineers load up our creation, which was now suspended from the top of the bridge. About 800 pounds into the process, our beautiful sleigh, lovingly constructed by two English majors, two chemical engineers and a business student, broke decisively in half.
The sleigh’s life, which had just barely begun, had ended.
Thankfully for the general public, I don’t build a whole lot of bridges in EWB.
My Monday nights are better spent ensconced in the grant writing team, or even the events committee, where I can stay safe knowing that my reluctance to do math won’t cut off a Rwandan village’s water supply. In fact, most of my time is spent doing the same thing I do here at The Miami Student: editing papers and figuring out ways to promote the organization.
Still, I love EWB. I thought as a non-STEM major, I would be chased out of the club. I thought there would be no other women, and that they (the club members) would think I’m stupid simply because I think about the world differently.
Instead, I’ve been presented with a wonderful, patient community that is interested in teaching me new skills. I’ve learned rudimentary surveying, technical writing and some light physics. I’ve made great friends, who support me in my other endeavors and encourage me to try new things.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Are they slightly confused about why I stick around? Sure! But the way they treat me, with such grace and kindness, it’s impossible to envision myself leaving.
As humanities majors, we often find ourselves sticking to what makes us comfortable, forgetting to hone new skills in areas that make us uncomfortable. And as for STEM, I think that many of those students forget their soft skills. STEM majors, whether they like it or not, should learn how to write, speak and express themselves effectively.
You should expand your horizons. Join a club not at all related to your major. You might find yourself learning a new skill or facing a new challenge that not only excites you as a person but looks really good on a job application.
And for those who have stuck around till the end, you’ll be pleased to find out that the second time around, the sleigh I built held that ton of rocks like a champ.
Parker Green is a first-year English literature and strategic communication major. She’s a tour guide and member of several student organizations, including The Student. When Parker isn’t doing academic or extracurricular work, you can usually find her reading or having a movie night with friends.
Read More
I’m “wasting” money, and I love it
By Sam Norton | 12 hours agoI search for deals on everything from food to new books. I sometimes am a complete oxymoron, cutting every little cost on some things but spending without a care in the world when the prospect of a new adventure comes up. Money is not meant to be hoarded, and that number in your bank account won’t mean anything unless you use it in the real world.
The internet is unfit for children
By Taylor Powers | 2 days agoAssistant Opinion Editor Taylor Powers argues that the digital culture kids are growing up in is bad for everyone's future, not just theirs.
The internet is unfit for children
By Taylor Powers | 2 days agoAssistant Opinion Editor Taylor Powers argues that the digital culture kids are growing up in is bad for everyone's future, not just theirs.