NSBE - Conference 2012 - (Page 28)

Rashad Nelson of ITw Building a career on the cornerstone of Engineering By Donna M. Owens R ashad Nelson made a decision during his junior year of high school that changed the trajectory of his life. Although academically talented, he opted to delay attending college. “I wanted to take the road less traveled, so to speak,” he says. “I just felt that going to college immediately after high school wouldn’t provide the experience I was searching for at the time, something meaningful and impactful.” Instead, the New Jersey native enlisted in the military. Nelson served four years in the United States Marine Corps, working as a Range Control senior crew chief who briefed helicopter pilots on aerial exercises and maneuvers. He received several commendations and rose to the rank of sergeant. “I traveled to distant lands such as Japan and South Korea and was able to meet and work with people from a wide variation of backgrounds,” says the military veteran, now 32. “Next to marrying my wife, it was one of the best decisions of my life.” After being honorably discharged in 2001, Nelson felt ready to tackle college. After careful deliberation, he decided to major in engineering. “…It’s been a great ride. I’ve been offered an opportunity to pursue my professional passion and work in a value-added industry. We’re creating something.” “The same pride that drove me to serve my country inspired my decision,” he says. “I believe America needs engineers to continue its path to higher levels of innovation and prosperity.” Using the G.I. Bill to help finance his education, Nelson enrolled at Devry University in North Brunswick, N.J. An honors student, he graduated with a B.S. in electronics engineering technology in 2005. That same year, Nelson began working as a manufacturing engineering technician for a leading oilfield services provider. But he soon realized a master’s degree would increase his base of knowledge. 28 • nsbe magazine • convention 2012 “I wanted to be exposed to other avenues within the discipline,” he says. Juggling a full-time job with graduate school, Nelson completed an M.S. in manufacturing systems engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2008. Soon after, he landed a new job and moved to Maryland with his wife, a physician who was starting her medical residency there. Nelson’s new position was with ITW, a leading manufacturer of engineered products and specialty systems, which operates hundreds of businesses and brands worldwide. Among those businesses is Vulcan-Hart, a top manufacturer of commercial cooking equipment. The company is a division of ITW’s Food Equipment Group. As a manufacturing engineer for Vulcan-Hart’s Heavy Duty Range team in Baltimore, Md., Nelson has responsibilities that run the gamut. His duties include designing and implementing production layouts and floor plans, maintaining quality control and working with outside contractors. “Up to this point, it’s been a great ride,” he says. “I’ve been offered an opportunity to pursue my professional passion and work in a value-added industry. We’re creating something.” Nelson’s drive and enthusiasm have been noticed. He was one of 18 employees recently selected for ITW’s inaugural “Early in Career Program,” which is designed to nurture individuals who have promise and prepare them for leadership roles in the organization. The group participated in a series of business sessions with coaches and senior leadership; one perk was traveling to Shanghai, China. “It was an incredible experience, and I appreciate that the company has invested a lot in me,” Nelson says. “ITW recognizes the need to aggressively develop talent for leadership positions on a global scale.” He hopes that his blend of military and civilian experiences will help him continue to ascend in the profession. “Engineers are truly the cornerstone of modern civilization as we know it today,” says Nelson. “It’s good to be needed, and we need more engineers who can make valuable contributions to our society.” ■ www.nsbe.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Conference 2012

NSBE - Conference 2012
Table of Contents
Passing the Torch
The Programs Zone
Membership News
NSBE Mourns the Loss of Mario Church, Former National Chair
NSBE Makes STEM Education Pledge to the Clinton Global Initiative
SEEK 2012 Update
Kevin Austin of TEMA
Courtney Skinner of GE
William S. Redmond III of NAVAIR
Dr. Bryan Reid of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Janelle Johnson of PGW
Tyrone Strozier of General Dynamics C4 Systems
Rashad Nelson of ITW
International News
NSBE Calendar
Things to Do in Pittsburgh
Cummins Scores Big at NSBE Conferences
Golden Torch Award Winners
The Professional’s Perspective
The Engineering Work Force, 2012 Supply, Demand and Diversity
On the Edge
AE Members on the Move
Employer Profiles
Advertisers Index

NSBE - Conference 2012