What is the "E" in EWB?

Hello!



The University of Waterloo chapter of EWB has launched a webpage where students can ask JFs questions. I just answered this one and thought it would be an interesting blog post worthy of many comments!!! What do other JFs, LTOVs, and EWB members think?



Question:

Is what I'm doing actually engineering? What sets EWB apart from a doctors or lawyers without borders?



Answer:



Great questions!



I'll first answer your question about how EWB is different from Doctors Without Borders and Lawyers Without Borders. I am not familiar with Lawyers Without Borders. From what I do know, Doctors Without Borders responds to health crises to solve short term problems and I have just heard of some student chapters starting up in Canada. EWB volunteers work with partner organizations overseas on existing projects in agriculture and water and sanitation. This builds a foundation for long term solutions. EWB's overseas work focuses on the capacity building of organizations, such as monitoring and evaluation programs and skill development. I think the "E" in EWB represents the problem solving approach and frameworks it uses, as well as the professionalism and technical nature of its work.**This is just my opinion, NOT the opinion of EWB**

My answer to your question about if my work is engineering/not is in the context of my placement and my environmental engineering discipline, so feel free to ask more EWB volunteers in order to get a well rounded answer! It may also be interesting to hear from non-engineering students who have worked as Junior Fellows. I do think that my JF placement is an engineering co-op placement because it is developing both the technical and soft skills required in an engineer.

As for technical skills, I am learning about a possible environmental engineering sector, working with different technologies, and using my data management and analysis skills. I am working in the water and sanitation (watsan) sector here in Zambia, which is one work avenue for the environmental engineering discipline. One career option I am considering is water and wastewater treatment. Throughout the summer, I will work with different technologies such as different types of pumps used to retrieve water from wells as well as different types of latrines. The types of pumps and latrines used in a village depend on what is appropriate for each community. As I learn and develop new skills from the NGO I'm working with, I will also share my knowledge and experience by working with coworkers to design and use spreadsheets to record data. Exposure to a new sector, expanding my technical knowledge, and using my computer skills is very similar to the previous co-op terms I have completed during my undergraduate so far.


The soft skills that I will develop include problem solving, leadership, integration, and communication skills. I will develop my problem solving skills by analyzing if certain technologies are actually appropriate in the region I am working in. For example, rope pumps have been successful in Zimbabwe and some other countries and have just been introduced in the region I am working in this summer. However, WaterAid Zambia wants to monitor if villagers are actually using the rope pumps and/or if they can maintain them. I will develop my leadership skills in the workplace as I help coworkers develop new skills such as computer skills. In addition to that, I will continue to develop my leadership skills at the UW chapter of EWB by coaching directors and new members. To be an effective leader it is also important to be aware of your own strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits. EWB is helping me develop my self awareness with goal setting, receiving feedback, and using the Meyers-Briggs Trait Index (MBTI). Integration into a new community and new workplace is necessary in co-op placements to gain trust and work effectively. I have already begun learning the local language and about the background of the watsan sector here in Zambia. I will also develop communication skills at work (there are many challenges in this since there are cultural customs which I am unaware of at the moment), by reporting to EWB, and communicating my experiences back home to the chapter, my family, my friends, and you! These soft skills are assets to engineers/engineering students.

That was a long winded answer but I would be happy to discuss this further if you have any follow-up questions!