As a Test Engineer, I design, setup, and perform tests to evaluate the performance of new and existing components or machines. A typical test involves:

• Developing a test plan to layout the test procedure and the test expectations.
• Devise and/or use an existing test fixture or procedure to obtain the desired result.
• Install the parts being tested on a machine or obtain the machine to be tested
• Select appropriate test instrumentation to collect and record the test data.
• Perform the test, while using instrumentation to collect the data.
• Analyze and verify the data is accurate.
• Compile the data in a useable, comprehensive format.
• Verify the data collected is what the test requestor wanted.
• Remove the test instrumentation.
• Write a test report.

Every day is a learning experience and an enjoyable experience. Each day you learn more about the machines and/or components being tested, which promotes a passion for the job and the equipment. This passion drives you to improve the machines, which ultimately leads to high performing and high quality equipment.

I find every day that many of the classes in the ABEN Department were useful in developing the skills needed for my work. ABEN 263, Biological Materials Processing, and ABEN 482, Instrumentation and Measurements, were exceptionally useful. These classes helped develop an understanding of the test to be performed, to select the correct test equipment to collect the desired data, to collect the data, to analyze and compile the data into a comprehensive format, and to write the report to log the results and procedures. These classes help you to understand that instrumentation will collect any data that you want, but it is the test engineer's job to understand the data collected and verify the accuracy of the data. The ABEN 486, 487 Senior Design courses were extremely useful in learning to look at a system as a whole and as a series of connected parts and components, all of which are required to meet the goals of the design.

The ABEN professors helped prepare me for the job that I have today. They were always willing to help and guide when I was trying to secure an internship and full time employment. Their doors were always open then, and now, to listen, help, and instruct. The ABEN Department has a group of individuals who are knowledgeable, helpful, and great people to be around. I can never express the many thanks that I feel the ABEN Department deserves for the helping me achieve the career I wanted. To the whole ABEN Department, THANK YOU.