1. COULD YOU PLEASE DEFINE ENGINEERING IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Engineering is a discipline where technical knowledge is applied to the design and problem solving for any practical purpose. “Engineering” in Spanish, (Ingeniería) comes from the word “Ingenio” which is ingenuity, so this discipline combines scientific principles with creativity in the case of Industrial Engineering, to improve production and process, increase earnings, and eliminate waste of time, money materials and other resources.

2. WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO PURSUE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING?
I’m a very perfectionist person, Industrial Engineers are always figuring out how to do things better, improving methods and process. I think that Industrial Engineering mixes a lot of disciplines in one, economics, manufacturing, quality control, ergonomics and security, and I love this because you learn a little of everything.

3. COULD YOU PLEASE DESCRIBE THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS REQUIRED TO BECOME AN ENGINEER?
Mathematics, physics, mechanics, health, safety, environment, ergonomics, cost, statistics, computer skills, ergonomics, management science, quality control, organizational behavior, economics, finance, labor relations, work methods and design, manufacturing analysis and control and even shipping and billing, are just a few subjects that an Industrial Engineer must know perfectly.

4. WHAT ARE THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO BE A GOOD ENGINEER?
Critical Thinking, time management, complex problems solving, be able to work in groups and under pressure, judgment and decision making, be able to talk to others to convey information effectively, active learning, organizing and managing people, supervising, planning process and programs, interviewing people, collecting and managing information, performing safety operations.

5. WHAT JOB CONSIDERATIONS WERE YOU LOOKING FOR AFTER YOU COMPLETED YOUR EDUCATION?
I would like to work in the service industry, like events planning and coordination. I also would like to work in a manufacturing industry, but a big one, improving process and methods. In both industries, manufacturing and services I could also develop managing operations, security, hygiene and environment.

6. WHAT'S SOMETHING OF YOUR SCHOOL LIFE THAT YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
Community service is one of the things, because I did it with a group of friends and I could practice what I will be doing someday. I applied my knowledge and used real tools that Engineers use in the industry, and I could learn and know new things of my career.

7. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF BEING AN ENGINEERING STUDENT?
The fact that you are evaluated in a quantitative way. Almost all the subjects are evaluated with a written exam so you have to almost memorize everything, no matter if you really learn or understand what you are doing. And I think that is a very short time to learn so many things, 3 months are not enough, teachers try to give in this time all the material they used to give in 6, so is hard. And we have no vacations anymore, we finish a quarter, next week we have the entries, two weeks free and that’s all, we have to start again, it is grueling.

8. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
After I graduate, I would like to make a post-degree, and figure out the way to go to live abroad, find a job up there, I wish I could live in Spain, since I practice Flamenco dance so I want to become a professional dancer within I develop my career.

9. POINT OUT YOUR MOST PERSONALLY GRATIFYING MOMENT IN ENGINEERING SCHOOL.
When I, with my group, made a Safety, Hygiene and Environment Procedures Manual for a real institution, and they will really use it.

10. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ENGINEERING AS A CAREER?
Because is very challenging, not everyone can study this career, it demands a lot. But is very regarding too, and you learn a lot about all kind of things, and how stuff works. You also learn about people, group working and how to treat different kinds of persons, how to deal with problems, and taking right decisions. It becomes in a tool for your life.

Hi everyone! My name is Claudia, I'm 20 years old, I live in Maracaibo and I study Industrial Engineering at URBE, I hope I will be graduated soon and I think I’m going to live abroad, in order to get more and better job opportunities, and better life quality.The country I’d like to live the most is Spain, since I practice Flamenco dance and I really would like to continue it to be a professional dancer, and I love this country and its culture.I also love shopping, going to the movies, traveling, taking pictures, knowing people of other countries and learning new languages.