Engineering News, September 15, 2006

September 15, 2006 Vol. 77, no. 5F

ELAINE SERINA PHOTO

Career Corner with ME alumna Elaine Serina

Career Corner is a new feature where we interview alumni about their career choices and ask them for career advice.

After graduating from Cal, Elaine Serina (B.S.’90, M.S.’92 Ph.D.’96 ME) became a managing engineer at Piziali and Associates, Inc. She investigates accidents and analyzes how people got injured. “It’s like an engineering version of the show CSI, except with less crime and more math,” she explains. “The areas I specialize in are biomechanics (engineering applied to the human body) and accident reconstruction (using physics and engineering to piece together how an accident happened).”

What do you like about your job?

It is mentally stimulating! I investigate accidents involving cars, weightlifting equipment, trains and ladders, to name a few. I analyze various injuries to all parts of the body, such as broken bones and brain injuries. My job challenges me to find engineering solutions to problems and creative ways to solve them. I deal with a huge variety of problems that change regularly, and I am constantly learning.

How did you go about finding your interest/passion?

Trying to find one’s passion (with a capital P!) can be a daunting task. Instead, I just pursued the little things that interested me: biology classes, research, teaching, activities with my non-engineering friends, car racing, etc. As I kept doing this, I discovered more and more things to be involved with that combined multiple interests, including my current job. If you keep doing little things that you like to do, you will get somewhere where your interests converge. This will lead you to your “Passion.” At worst, you’ll be doing things you like to do.

What’s the secret to landing a job?

There is no secret. Finding a great job can take a lot of work, so be prepared! Have persistence and determination. Explore all options. Try different approaches. I once got a great job offer by cold-calling heads of engineering departments from a company phonebook. I don’t recommend it, but it does show you that anything is possible.

Have additional questions? Email erserina1@yahoo.com.

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