blogONE

Every person has a purpose, just as every part of the Body has a function. One big problem with a lot of people nowadays is the general lack of direction in their lives, one big question mark of what their purpose is, or in the sense of a Christian, what their calling from God is (OK, I probably pulled a redundancy). Near the end of high school, you might have had one of those “What is my calling?” moments, deciding where you wanted to go to continue your education and what you should study, if you planned to continue at all. During university/college, you might have periods of time wondering if you’re in the right program, or what you should do once you graduate. Do I continue on with a Masters? Doctorate? Maybe I should get industry experience? How will I impact the world with my new skills? Jump past for more…

Well, I’m not here to answer anyone’s question today…I’m going more toward the “rant/vent” style. I’m in my 4th year of a 5 year program (more specifically electrical engineering with management). At UOIT, we don’t really specialize in a certain field during our undergraduate studies (unlike U of T and some others with their elective intensive choice, or Sharif’s specialized undergrad degrees), and so the only way to achieve “specialization” is through a master’s. As an EE, you can specialize in communications, control systems, power generation, electronics, circuit design and hybrids of some other fields (Wikipedia can help you, why not).

When I entered UOIT, there was a slight murmur in my heart to graduate and volunteer my skills/knowledge to EWB. Of course, nothing really happens with EWB at UOIT…and we’re still a student chapter INITIATIVE (I think). As a general engineer, I should still have the knowledge to help design/build irrigation systems or clean drinking water supplies, or build more appropriate housing. As an ELECTRICAL engineer, what can I do? Ah, here lies a small dilemma.

Specializing in communications: How exactly would a specialization in communications benefit the world as a whole? Or rather, how can it benefit 3rd-world/developing countries? One thing that does come to mind would be so remote areas can communicate with the rest of the world. But what if the introduction of technology becomes an evil which negatively impacts the people? Don’t kid yourself, it will. Another question would be WHY would you focus on communications when basic necessities are not even met?. Owned.

Specializing in power generation: Electricity. Sustainable energy. Will the introduction of it corrupt and disrupt life as they know? Is it a hidden evil? However, with power generation there could be a gradual shift in the equipment. Is ethnocentrism bleeding through now…

I’m not even going to talk about the other specializations, because one thing that comes up and nags at my heart is “the advancement of technology”; to whose benefit do we advance technology? Ourselves. Specializing in communications, I would most likely do research on increasing signal reliability or increasing the bandwidth while minimizing power (come on, let me dream for a bit), or 4G (maybe even 5G) mobile systems. Right now, I can only see this benefiting the rich countries, those fortunate enough to make devices that will use this technology…countries which easily deem the new obsolete within weeks. How does this benefit the “unfortunate” countries?

But another thought now: If we never advance technology as an attempt to make it more accessible for those that aren’t as fortunate as us…aren’t we the one’s holding them back?

I had a brief meeting with Prof. Sharam today to discuss whether he thought I had a future in communications or not, and he says that if I choose to pursue it, I definitely could go somewhere and encouraged me to consider graduate studies. He told me that entering his undergraduate program at Sharif he was the top of the power generation class (in the country). However, he chose to pursue something more challenging, something more passionate. He chose to follow his heart and his passion for communications (NTS: Ask him what he is passionate about in communications), and that is the advice he gave to me:

Go into what you are passionate toward.

He also said there are some people who are more suited for research than hands-on industry work.

Now this goes back into the whole What is my purpose? type of ordeal…except I’m trying to figure out myself what I’m passionate toward in the field of electrical engineering. And the sick humourous side of me is pulling a joke saying “Let’s corrupt the world by advancing technology!” Like we learned in our Impact course: technology influences people, and people influences technology. Advance communications: a more connected world, hopefully connecting everyone… Advance power generation: hopefully more accessible energy for all… Advance electronics: build better toys for the spoiled kids… Advance controls: I clearly have no interest in this…

…and I can turn this post into a talk about pre-determination and God’s sovereignty, if I really wanted to. Something like, mentioning how sometimes I’d wish God could give us a brief snazzy presentation on what our life would be like and what actions we’ll be doing and what their subsequent effects would be.

But where’s the fun in that?

Sometimes living is all about entering a field you’re not sure about…
…or studying certain things;
…or choosing where to go;
…or praying for courage to step out in faith;
…or making mistakes;
…or pursuing someone.

See what I did thar? A relationship post. This was a relationship post.that’s the next one.