Meet the Engineers: 
Alexandra
Job:
Electrical engineer at Micron.
What she does:
Each day I spend a bit of time at the computer entering information and code
for the memory parts that I work with. The majority of my time is spent collecting and analyzing data and then working with other engineers to explain what I have observed. We work as a team to create solutions.
Motivation:
We are constantly working to make better memory devices to increase the speed and decrease the size of the electronic devices that we use every day. The memory devices that I work on are not only in computers, but also in DVD and CD players, cell phones, pagers, ground positioning units, and televisions; just to name a few. Working on devices to improve computers and tomorrow's technology is very motivating for me.
College:
Graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1997.
What she likes about electrical engineering:
I had numerous job offers when I graduated. I went to Micron. In my interview there I actually gave a wrong answer for one of the problems that they gave me. My current supervisor, who had interviewed me, later told me that because I could support how I came to my conclusion and explain my thought processes, he knew I could work in a group and clearly communicate my ideas.
Advice:
I really like what I do and would strongly encourage you to pursue what interests you. School may be hard, but don't be intimidated by picking a tough field. Don't let anything stand in your way and do what you can now to keep all of your options open after high school.
How engineers influenced her:
My father was in the military, so we moved around a lot. It seemed like every time we moved, I arrived just in time for the school's career day. During the career day presentations I had a couple of opportunities to hear more about what engineers do. The engineers talked about making and creating things that people use. One engineer talked about his work in the space program, designing engines that were faster and more powerful than those already in existence. I thought that it would be very rewarding to develop things for people that make life better and improve the things we have, or be a part of creating things that did not exist.
How she prepared:
I knew as early as junior high that I wanted to be an electrical engineer.
Math and science were two of my favorite subjects and my teachers in those classes repeatedly told me that I would be a great engineer. In high school I took advanced placement math, science, and physics classes that helped prepare me for my college classes.
Surprises:
One of the classes that has helped me the most was the keyboarding class. It helps to be fast at keyboarding, which then gives me more time to spend on the parts of my job that are away from the computer.
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