Contact Information:
Name:
Ms. Elizabeth Peeler

E-mail address:
epeeler@thermalegi.com

Education Information
Undergraduate Major:
Chemical Engineering

Degree Received:
BS

Graduation Year:
2003

Activities, student organizations, leadership roles, etc. in which I was involved at UT:
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics(Secretary, 2002-03)
Aerospace Education & Research Organization (AERO)
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Capstone Design Projects:
-Team HERCULES (NASA Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program/Student-in-Space program)
-DuPont Chattanooga Industrial Pollution Prevention Internship
ASM International

Job Information
Employer Name: Thermal Engineering Group, Inc.

Employer Web Site:
http://www.thermalegi.com

Present Job Title:
Associate Project Engineer

Brief description of my job responsibilities, e.g. a typical week in my job:
Thermal Engineering is a design/build/consulting engineering firm specializing in power generation, waste-to-energy, and district heating and cooling. From the start of my time here, I have been involved in all phases of projects. I research new materials, processes, concepts, suppliers, etc., for plants we are constructing or renovating. I also support the senior engineers in their efforts, offering suggestions from a chemical engineering perspective, and working with them on AutoCad drawings as construction documents. Every week is different. If I'm in the office, it's a usual 40-hour work week. Most of the time I review and discuss equipment, construction, and plant performance, and customer issues with design and field engineers. My education has served me well. Mass and energy balances and economic analyses are major components of my work, especially in reports to senior management and our customers.

Suggestions I would give to undergraduate students with regard to courses, internships, and other means of preparation for my career field:
I recommend not only major-specific senior design courses but also interdiscipinary design classes. I took three design courses my last semester, so I already had an idea of the challenging pace and environments project engineers face. I loved it. For example, I was a flight crewmember of Team HERCULES in Spring 2003.
I studied Heat Exchange Research Condensation (Evaluation) by Utilizing a Liquid-fog Experimental Set-up with senior mechanical and aerospace engineering students. The team was required to design, build and test the experiment aboard NASA's Weightless Wonder V. We were successful despite some tough times. The best part, besides 1 1/2 weeks in Houston, was flying in zero-g! UTK had two temas participate. Team Mammoth Flow Revisited was just as successful. From this experience I learned how to work, travel, and cooperate with people from different educational and cultural backgrounds. I also applied what I had learned during my internship and all of my classes, even during physiological training for my flight. What I do on the job now is this project for terrestrial power generation.
My DuPont pollution prevention was also helpful, in that I learned about the consultant-client relationship. The other 4 ChemE students and I presented our analysis and recommendations to DuPont staff. Meanwhile, four of us were presenting our research on a Chem-E-Car system to our department and a local AIChE section meeting. This required us to design experiments for test & evaluation of our designs, which can happen on the job.

My career path in getting to this position:
I interned at TEG the summer after my junior year and worked during school breaks the rest of college. I had earned an Associate's Degree in Engineering and then transferred. Once I found out that I could be a "project engineer", I was hooked. Project engineering fits my personality and it's fun. I have been able to follow a project, a plant renovation from near the beginning and now at the close-out and start-up. Everything I've learned about people, places, engineering, sciences, and technical writing I use in some form on the job. Also, working as an early AM Student Maintenance Assistant at the UT Aquatic Center because I know that I can get to a job site, ready to work, before 6AM. In a few years I'll sit for the Professional Engineer exam to become a licensed P.E.

Other advice for students interested in gaining entry into and pursuing a career in this field:
Concrete and abstract benefits are plentiful as an engineer, but pick a major you enjoy. Of course, students have to learn seemingly mundane topics along the way. That's part of it. I chose Chemical Engineering because I could learn chemical and material applications in designs and processes, not just for typical chemical plants and refineries, as some people think when they hear chemical engineering. Engineering jobs pay quite nicely, but the responsibilities are great. I have to understand the world around me, though, so pay attention in general education classes. Three I took were Intro to Public Health, Food Forests and the Environment, and Technical Writing (ENG 360). I did find these useful, and I wanted to take them. Public health is an important consideration in my work and environemntal safety objectives are as well. Technical writing helped me communicate by remembering my audience, whether all engineers or the general public.
I recommend that engineering students approach general electives as survey courses in that listening and understanding other students' perspectives, even if you don't agree. Also, don't be afraid to engage in classroom discussions and be assertive. Take advantage of membership in student organizations in which you can be active. Chances are, you can continue membership after you graduate. For recreation, the Holston River is nice and the SAC outdoor pool was one of my favorite places on campus.
Vol athletic events are awesome experiences--go to as many as you can. During the 2002 UT-Florida game, I had a northern end-zone turf seat, which was practically on the field. I also thought the baseball team was one of the best I had seen. FYI: The guy with the coonskin cap carrying the "Power T" flag is representative of one of Tennessee's original volunteers.
Remember to laugh and smile often. Sometimes life is difficult, but someone else is worse off than you. Just take the bad times in stride. Cherish your family, and don't forget the friends you've made and those who've have helped you in life.
Work doesn't define the person you are. I consider my career to be worthy applications of my talents and energy. Patience is a must, and know that you can achieve anything and enjoy life with your heart and mind in the right place.
Go Vols!


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