Donald A. Westbrook
Manager, Laboratory Services - Honeywell International
Engines, Systems and Services

Q: When you first started your career - what was the biggest lesson learned on the job?

A: Even the finest engineering graduates need a practical knowledge base developed from real world experiences in order to be effective in an engineering role. In short, they must be ready to listen and learn in order to excel.

Q: What is the underlying foundation for career success today?

A: The ability to relate to people to combine and align diverse talents and personalities to successfully meet technical and economic challenges.

Q: How do you keep up-to-date within your industry?

A: The best way to remain up-to-date is by attending short courses, seminars, and educational workshops presented by universities, private firms, and professional engineering societies such as ASME.

Q: What advice would you give a recent engineering graduate looking for work?

A: Present your capabilities to the prospective employer; describe how you will contribute to the organization. Cite specific examples of what you do well to make sure there will be a good fit in a new position.

Q: Has your involvement in ASME changed or influenced your career path?

A: ASME provides a support and networking opportunity to communicate with peers in the mechanical engineering field. Observing successful members helped to focus my career development and inspired working to make a move into engineering management.