Beers with Engineers

Dave Cooper: Navigating from student to engineer

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#57 – Dave Cooper: Navigating from student to engineer

 

Dave Cooper went from barely graduating high school to teaching university engineering students. In between, he was a navigator for the Marines and worked on refrigeration systems for NASA. We also learn that Dave and Bert share an affection for animated cubic sponges with a palindromic name. He hopes to soon form a father/son engineering team.

Also:

  • After leaving Marines, he decided to study aeronautical engineering largely because it was first alphabetically.
  • Switched to mechanical because aeronautical engineering wasn’t available at the university he chose.
  • Loved learning in college; in high school, not so much.
  • Design project was a UAV.
  • As a teacher, Dave struggled with fighting cheating.
  • Students were more interested in the grade than in the learning.
  • He still has a sextant.
  • Started his own firm a few months ago and wants to work with his son.
  • A lot of the world suffers from short-term thinking.
  • Found his technical expertise was secondary to relationships.
  • Linked In is useful for networking.
  • Likes jujitsu and it is good for networking.
  • The more fun you are having, the quicker you pick up a new skill.
  • Dave and Bert both like SpongeBob SquarePants

    • Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop 

    Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com

    Hat tip to Joseph McDade for free use of his music "Mirrors".

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    Beers with EngineersBy Bert Uschold