Winds of Change - Summer 2017 - 17

to learn. "The workers are
very helpful," he says. "The
work here is fast-paced, so
NATIVE HAWAI'IAN
Since the 1980s in Hawai'i - a
you'll be learning a lot
state that has never had a white
while you're on the job."
majority - the population of
For someone like Norman
Native Hawai'ians has been
increasing dramatically and that
- with little professional
growth is expected to continue,
experience - having the
reaching half a million by 2045.
opportunity to learn
about various fields of
engineering in the real world
few and far between, and
has been invaluable.
Norman spent over a year
While Norman is content in
looking for the right type of
his current role, he is not
position. "It came to a point
complacent. He plans to pursue
where I just needed to start
a master's degree, and possibly
working, so I worked at a
a PhD. "My ultimate career goal
movie theater until an
is to work in research and
opportunity came," he says.
That opportunity did come, development [R&D]," he
explains. "I've worked on
thanks to networking and
several undergraduate design
Norman's ability to ask for
projects in R&D, and it was
help. Norman's mother works
fascinating to get into some
with a woman whose nephew
advanced technology and
is the executive vice president
hands-on work."
(EVP) at American Piping &
Norman has worked hard
Boiler Company, a general/
to get where he is today, and
mechanical contractor that
he's been lucky to have support
offers services throughout
from his parents and teachers.
Hawai'i and the Pacific Region.
He also credits organizations
Norman let this new contact
like the Native Hawaiian
know that he was looking for a
Science and Engineering
job in engineering and kept in
Mentorship Program, and
touch. It took a year, but when
AISES - a connection that has
an opening became available,
allowed Norman to "meet
the EVP reached out to
people from all over the nation,
Norman, and he was offered
share each other's culture, and
the role of junior engineer in
see what they are doing in the
November 2016.
STEM field." He continues to
Now assigned to a generatappreciate the networking and
ing station project, Norman is
sharing he has found at AISES.
in charge of assessing material
"Hearing people's stories about
needs in order to build various
where they came from to where
structures. He assists with the
bid process, writes procurement they currently are truly inspires
me," he says. "It encourages me
statements, and creates
to grow, explore my career, and
spreadsheets to track all aspects
pursue my dreams."
of the construction. After so
According to Norman,
much time spent searching for
almost anywhere you go in
the right position, Norman has
Hawai'i there's a mo'olelo
found it. "Getting the job done
(story) related to that particular
and seeing the results is very
area. Norman also has a story
satisfying because it shows the
to tell: "Keep persevering. Don't
importance of my position and
think you have to do everything
how it makes an impact on
on your own - always seek
others," he explains.
help. It can be discouraging,
Not only is Norman in a
but if you have the passion to
role that he enjoys, he is at a
push through, you'll get there."
company that values its
- Alexa D'Agostino
workers and encourages them
aises.org

2018

Intramural NIAID
Research Opportunities

Want to be part of cutting-edge
health research?
If you have a passion to help improve our Nation's
health and are interested in a career in allergy,
immunology, or infectious diseases, consider
training at the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Learn more about NIAID's exploratory 4-day
Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO)
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Search for "INRO"
Applications open
September 1 to October 15, 2017.
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NIH is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SUMMER 2017 * WINDS OF CHANGE 17
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Winds of Change - Summer 2017

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